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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To say no when asked if sibling can come to party?

341 replies

PurplePetalPip · 22/08/2024 15:38

Hosting DS's 3rd birthday party at the weekend. It's the first birthday we've invited a few nursery friends to. I'm completely bonkers and decided to do it in our garden as thought the weather would be nice enough for a bouncy castle etc.

All in all there are 10 children coming. All around 3. One of the mums has just messaged asking if their son's sister can come too as she has no one to watch her. Sister is nearly 5 I believe.

If we were in a hall I'd probably agree but AIBU to say no in this case? I'm already stressing over having ten 3 year olds running around the garden. There will be additional adults there in grandparents and aunty and realistically one extra child won't take up much room but I just feel like it's cheeky and changes the dynamics. They were very late in responding to the invite - only knew they were coming 2 weeks ago and no mention of additional child then.

If I say sorry, due to space we can't accommodate, I won't really mind if she says the boy can't come then. The issue would be if it's awkward she miraculously finds childcare and comes along!

OP posts:
DandyClocks · 22/08/2024 17:24

Comedycook · 22/08/2024 17:21

Answer "I'm afraid not, I understand if you cannot make it"

Back in the real world, no one is this blunt, and if you are, I can pretty much guarantee the person you say this to will never speak to you again

And that is a problem…?

Rory17384949 · 22/08/2024 17:22

I think it's a bit mean, at least they asked and it won't make much difference. Not allowing the sister to come will probably mean the boy doesn't come either.
Also letting you know 2 weeks ago is loads of notice! Most people don't even send invites out until 2 weeks before a party

Comedycook · 22/08/2024 17:21

Answer "I'm afraid not, I understand if you cannot make it"

Back in the real world, no one is this blunt, and if you are, I can pretty much guarantee the person you say this to will never speak to you again

DinnaeFashYersel · 22/08/2024 17:20

Goody2ShoesAndTheFilthyBeast · 22/08/2024 15:41

You could always say she doesn't need to stay and you'll look after her 3 year old at the party.

Or do this

DinnaeFashYersel · 22/08/2024 17:20

I'd say yes.

When you've got 10 children already one more is nothing.

You've got plenty adults there and presumably mum is staying.

Blackthorne · 22/08/2024 17:19

do you have just one child OP?

LouisTherouxattheorgy · 22/08/2024 17:19

Sheeplesss · 22/08/2024 15:47

Answer "I'm afraid not, I understand if you cannot make it"
That's it.

This.

WickieRoy · 22/08/2024 17:18

I've never known anyone say no IRL, not everyone works Monday-Friday so there's usually someone who needs to bring a sibling along. I've had to ask myself in the past, and the sibling has always been welcomed with open arms (and a party bag).

It's worth playing the long game here - if you'll know these people through primary school you'd presumably rather have a reputation for generosity.

Besides. Ten three years olds? Your house is fucked anyway, one more five year old won't make any difference. Speaking from recent bitter experience!

waterrat · 22/08/2024 17:18

on mumsnet people think this is incredibly rude to ask about a sibling - in normal life (and my kids are through this age but I hosted a lot of kids parties) = it's just a totally polite and normal question

two weeks before a party is also a totally normal response time.

Mum has no childcare - child is 3 so very young to be left - she asks can she bring sibling - totally polite and normal. you could say no - tbh i'd find an older sibling more annoying than younegr as they may get in the way of littlies

BUT - can't we all just stop the drama over people asking polite questions?

Sweetpeasaremadeforbees · 22/08/2024 17:18

Personally, I’d be cautious with a bouncy castle at home anyway so you certainly don’t want potentially bigger kids causing problems.

This would be my worry tbh. I'd actually have less of a problem with it if it was soft play and the mother was willing to pay for sibling/not expect food or party bag.

Anotherdayanotherdollar · 22/08/2024 17:18

Catza · 22/08/2024 16:08

But the problem is not about parents staying or not, is it? It's about having an extra child in an entirely different age bracket who has no accommodations made for them as the OP didn't know they were coming.

The sibling is "nearly 5", so that makes her 4. Not a massively different age bracket from the 3yr olds when you think about it...

Confused118 · 22/08/2024 17:17

Always nice to be inclusive - i've had that request a couple of times and it's never been an issue for me.

Georgethecat1 · 22/08/2024 17:17

I don’t think it’s rude of her to ask if it means her 3 year old can’t attend. Not everyone has grandparents / neighbours that help with childcare (as you know MN said we should never expect this anyway).

You also aren’t rude or bad to say no, it’s just one of those situations and it’s not a big deal.

Pinkespressomachine · 22/08/2024 17:16

Sounds a tad uptight quite honestly. 13 years of hosting kids parties and it’s quite normal to have requests of this type, it’s also usual to have the odd person RSVP the day before! I wouldn’t do it but hey ho.

I always accommodate such things quite happily as my only concern is that my children have a great party - I want people to feel welcome not like an imposition.

By all means say no but I hope you don’t find yourself in need of a favour like this and your own child has to miss a party.

DramaAlpaca · 22/08/2024 17:14

Iwishicouldflyhigh · 22/08/2024 16:22

I find the polarising responses in these threads fascinating.

im in the more the merrier camp.

my daughter’s party is next week. I specifically said in the invite to let me know if any siblings are coming so I can cater and enough party bags. Never ever woukd I say no. I like to think I’m teaching my children to be welcoming and inclusive.

im so far from being a pushover but I’m very social able and flexible and don’t overworry about the small things (like having an extra person at a 3 year old party).

I completely agree. My children are grown now, but my attitude was always 'the more the merrier' and I'd manage to cobble together another party bag or three.

Italia89 · 22/08/2024 17:13

@mewkins. Made me chuckle!

mewkins · 22/08/2024 17:12

Firenzeflower · 22/08/2024 17:09

An older child can completely change a party - so I'd say no.

She's only 5! It's not like she's going to turn up and start handing out vapes.

Comedycook · 22/08/2024 17:12

Not everyone has available baby sitters and even if they do, I wouldn't waste the precious gift of someone babysitting for me to go to a three year olds party.

DandyClocks · 22/08/2024 17:12

Stick to your guns OP and say sorry, no extras.

Personally, I’d be cautious with a bouncy castle at home anyway so you certainly don’t want potentially bigger kids causing problems.

Parents who are cheeky will soon work out who the pushover mums are and they’ll be using those parents for free childcare before you can sneeze.

Italia89 · 22/08/2024 17:10

As it's a party at your home with lots of kids anyway, I don't see the issue.

It will be quite embarrassing for you if you say no, then the mum comes and it's obvious the older child could have been accommodated just fine.

If you have another child, and the reverse scenario occurs, how would it make you feel?

To be really honest, I'd judge a mum who said no as being uptight and controlling. (Obviously different if there's actual space issues or you're paying per child)

Firenzeflower · 22/08/2024 17:09

An older child can completely change a party - so I'd say no.

StarryDance · 22/08/2024 17:06

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Are you being deliberately goady? Because that's how you are coming across.

thegrumpusch · 22/08/2024 17:05

I'd say yes, the more the merrier. I don't really understand the issue personally, but you do you

bergamotorange · 22/08/2024 17:05

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

'Respectable'

Fucking hell.

NothingAGoodCuppaDoesntFix · 22/08/2024 17:05

I always account for an extra sibling.