AIBU to be confused by sibling invite?

I have a 13 and 10 year old. There is absolutely no way in this world the 13 year old would go to a 10 year olds party. Are the parents planning on staying or dropping a the teenager off aswell?

It's cheeky behaviour from the parents and I would have had no problem saying no to them.

I have three children who all had birthday parties and siblings never came to the parties unless it was a toddler party involving family friends. It was totally unheard of for parties with the older age group . I think it’s very rude to ask and I would definitely have said NO .

It’s not normal at those ages.

Out of interest, has your son been to others’ birthday events over his ten years, whilst you have never hosted?

Always put on the invitation “sorry we are unable to accommodate siblings in this occasion” and if anyone asks just say “No unfortunately we are unable to accommodate siblings “ No explanation needed. It’s cheeky fuckery for parents to expect siblings who have not been invited to attend. You’re not a babysitter.

You say more the merrier but my DD at 10 would have been fuming if I’d agreed to a 7 year old sibling she didn’t know to come to her party. She’s now nearly 13 and definitely wouldn’t want to go to a 10 year olds birthday party. It completely changes the dynamics. The parents are absolutely mugging you off and using you for childcare so they can have a child free afternoon . I’ve never experienced this for a party at home .

But if it was more the merrier you would have invited more of your child's friends.
It seems weird that a 13 year old wants to come to a child's party. There is a good chance these extras will ruin things.

It's weird.

Don't say yes! How unbelievably rude of those parents!

It’s definitely not normal to ask if your 13 year old can come!! My 13 year old couldn’t be dragged to a primary school party at a strangers house - how odd and rude of them!

I'm with @Caterina99 I think there is a difference when it is a small party at someone's home so they have clearly catered for that number & don't necessarily have the room / man to man marking capability to look out for 2 extra of quite dissimilar ages - in that case I think it's OK to say , no not convenient. Even if you have said yes I think you could phone back and say "On reflection I'm not sure how this will work - sorry "

Why have you said yes if the answer is no?

some parents dump siblings at parties. It pisses people off. One party I did, I specifically said we couldn’t accommodate siblings. One mum still dumped two siblings and ran off. DD was not happy as she would have rather had two more friends but numbers were limited.

I think that’s really weird for a 10 year old.

5 year olds, toddlers, soft play etc, I totally get it and can see why people ask. But a house party for a few friends at age 10? Why on earth would a 13 year old want to go? And a 7 year old is a big difference too. Especially if these kids aren’t great friends with your kid!

My kids are 8 and 10 and I’d never dream of asking if one could go along to another ones party at a friends house. Except maybe if it was a very close family friend or I had some kind of childcare emergency!

More fool you for saying yes.

Can my kids come? I’ve only got 3. 😂

My mind is blown along with yours OP. Go back and say no…it’s a small party and if you go ahead effectively 1/4 of the guests will be unknown to you and the birthday girl. You’d rather invite other friends of your child but couldn’t because space so it’s not appropriate. Cheeky fuckery of the highest order!

YABU for not saying no. I would message them back and say that there isn't room for siblings.
Is this a weekday and they are looking for a cheap activity for all children or free childcare during the holidays?
My daughter is 10 and I would never say could her brother attend a party, especially one at home. No parent stays at this age so there is no reason a sibling needs to come too.

Just say if you are bringing siblings you need to stay.

Well, at our soft play there is a separate party room so siblings go up but don’t have food or a party bag. (But there generally is food left over; kids never seem to eat much at parties. I don’t know why as I love a party buffet!)

It does seem really odd but there sometimes are unwritten rules which vary place by place.

You've got time to rescind the invitation.
Go back to the CF parents and say that you've now had a chance to speak with the birthday girl, and she would rather just have the small 6-person party that she originally asked for, in your not-massive house, so sorry, but the siblings will have to do something else that day.

A 13 year old? Unless they are one of those kids who love younger siblings (then they might be helpful?) they will probably sit on their phone if you let them. A 7 year old is tricker…..