To think that a 21st birthday party isn't the place for loads of young kids?

[SharkiraSharkira]

Friend's gf is throwing him a surprise party for his 21st birthday. Evening party just before Halloween, so there will be drinking and costumes etc.

Several people invited to the event have asked if they can bring their kids. The host has said yes so obviously she doesn't think it's a problem as such but Aibu to think that this isn't the best occasion for kids and that they should get babysitters?

I just don't think a 21 yr old wants to have a birthday party on a Saturday night with a load of unrelated young kids running around! Obviously he doesn't know about the party so he can't object.

[EsmeeMerlin]

I have gone to a good few 18th/21st birthday parties with children there because they are family friendly parties with grandparents/young cousins everyone all there. I assume the host knows what sort of party it is going to be and if it's fine for children to be there.

If the 21 year old wants to do something with just adults/friends he could always do a night out or something as well.

[SharkiraSharkira]

Thing is it isn't family member's children, it's friends' children who are not related to him.

He has also made it clear he wants to go out on the town that night so the party is effectively 'pre drinks'.

[EsmeeMerlin]

So surely he can still do that, having children at his party won't stop him going out on the town later on.

[BlueSapp]

So what’s the problem if it’s pre drinks party then he’ll not be there that long and the adult side of the night can take off after the pre drinks

[WorraLiberty]

Having children at a party, doesn't automatically = 'running around'.

[SharkiraSharkira]

I just think it changes the dynamic of the night - I know if I had been thrown a party as a 21yr old where there were a load of unrelated kids running around I wouldn't have been massively keen.

I feel quite uncomfortable drinking with lots of small children around - one or two no problem but it looks like there will be at least 10.

Ah well, it isn't my party so as long as he enjoys himself that's the main thing! I am fully aware that I am a grumpy mare at the moment alone and home and bored

[kaytee87]

I wouldn't think most 21yo's will care either way if there are kids there tbh. I'm surprised so many unrelated people have asked to bring their kids though. How many of his friends have kids?

[SharkiraSharkira]

This is true Worra, however I have never ever been to a party or any social gathering where there are multiple kids where they don't run around

[kaytee87]

When I was 21 I was incredibly unaware of what was going on around me tbh and wouldn't have thought twice about getting drunk with kids around. Tbh I still wouldn't care about getting drunk with kids around as long as they weren't mine

[Witchend]

I was at my uncles 21st birthday. We had a wonderful time.
I especially remember waking up as a 3yo does and going to find him to see if he wanted to play. It wasn't too early, I'm sure. At least it was light.
He was curled up in his sleeping bags with about 20 of his friends on the lounge floor, so I looked into each one until I found him and then leapt on him and tickled him.
Being a lovely uncle he responded in kind, got up and made us a breakfast picnic and chased us round outside until the rest of his friends emerged.

Until I had children myself it didn't occur to me how he probably didn't want to get up.
I think he's forgiven me anyway.

[harlandgoddard]

Well presumably his girlfriend knows him and what he would like.

I’ve been to a couple of adult birthday parties with kids around and alcohol involved and it was fine, as long as no one gets shitfaced I don’t think any kids will really notice or care.