Kids parties - why are people so cheeky?

[latte101]

It's my DS's party in a couple of weeks. I've had four parents ask can they bring younger siblings! Wtf is this about?! There's 28 coming already! I'd never dream of asking!!

[SpookyPumpkinPants]

Oh & no contact phone number either!

[drpet49]

Why is it cheeky? At least they are asking instead of just bringing the sibling. And you can say no

[winteranimal]

I have a school aged child and a baby. If my child is invited to a party then my baby has to come. I check beforehand that this is OK but I don't have any other options for childcare. When she is bigger I may be able to leave her with my husband but if he's not available then either my child will go to the party with his sibling in tow or he won't be able to go. We don't have family who live near enough to provide childcare. We can't ask them to make a 4 hour round trip to watch one of them for an hour. I would always check first, pay for my additional child where necessary, possibly bring along extra food for her and compensate with a more expensive gift. If someone said no then we would simply decline the party invitation with no hard feelings. I'm not sure what the issue is here - you just say no if you can't accommodate any extra person.

[Notaroadrunner]

What age are the kids? If they can be dropped off and left then there's no reason for parents to ask to bring other siblings. I'd just reply that it's not possible to add any more kids to the party. If it's a play centre or similar then they can bring their extra kids and pay for them to be there, seperate to the party. However that has nothing to do with you so they shouldn't bother you by asking.

[1984Winston]

It's so cheeky, currently organising my DD birthday and her own sister is not going to be included to cut down on numbers but three siblings of her classmates are going. I never ask to take my toddler to parties

[Goldbar]

I'd expect some people to bring siblings unless it was a 'drop and go' party (which my DC is too young for). But then some of my friends are single parents, one has a DH who works away and one's DH is a complete twat who refuses to look after the kids on his own. I wouldn't expect them to organise childcare for the other siblings so they can come to my DC's party.

I guess it's different with friends though as we tend to invite the whole family. We're planning to hold our first 'school' party next year in the local hall and will probably say siblings welcome but please let us know in advance. However, (maybe due to London property prices ), we seem to know lots of onlies or 2-child families so we're not talking multiple siblings per party guest.

[GreyhoundG1rl]

@drpet49

Why is it cheeky? At least they are asking instead of just bringing the sibling. And you can say no

Because the invitation is sent to a named child, not the child plus family.
Op, are they old enough for a drop off?

[Anoisagusaris]

Bringing a sibling to a soft play party and paying for them is fine, and it’s not what the op or others are referring to.

[stripetop]

Well I'm that person. I've had two this weekend. Baby came to both, I asked. Baby sat on my knee in soft play bit, I paid for baby. I don't have anyone to help. Dh is always working. Not sure what else I could do other than ask. Just say no?

[CombatBarbie]

If its school age 5+ then it's a drop n go so don't see why anyone would ask for siblings. Ones we've hosted at soft play they have never even mentioned it to me prior, they come in, pay for the sibling and just stay close by and get their own food if over lunchtime.

[Tirediam]

@stripetop babies are fine I think! Because they don’t get involved with games, eat food, need a party bag etc. If parents bought babies to my sons birthday parties I wouldn’t mind at all, it’s older kids who don’t like doing what younger kids are doing, eat food that you hadn’t factored in for them etc… then that’s the issue.

[Nocutenamesleft]

It wouldn’t bother me being asked. I always made sure parties where they were able to bring an smaller one. They’d either feed them or pay xx

[GrabbyAbbie]

I have had to have younger siblings at parties due to child care, I have always asked.

I always pay their way and never expect food or party bags or anything like that though sometimes these have been offered If invited children don't turn up!

It would only be cheeky if the siblings are there with the expectation that they are to be included / paid for or that they just turn up!

[LadyCleathStuart]

There is one family who do this at every party, they always bring along the (much) older sibling even though both parents also attend. I mean why can't one take the older child somewhere while the other stays with the younger. It boggles the mind.

When there is no other childcare then fine as long as it isn't a pay per head activity but why would you look at a childs birthday party as a family day out?

[Fridafever]

When she is bigger I may be able to leave her with my husband

Why can’t your husband take her now and you stay at home with the baby?

[latte101]

A mixed response, thanks everyone. It's his 5th. We have hired the village hall but it's a small hall, and an even smaller area where they eat. We've also got a bouncy castle and worried about the amount of kids on it. I would be fine if it was babies but these are 2 / 3 and will be running round. It's a small hall and already it's fit to burst.

[MynameisJune]

I hope not, this thread is sending my anxiety through the roof that the parent is going to be thinking I’m a cf for asking and bringing my 2yr old along.

[MynameisJune]

My last message should have been to @SpookyPumpkinPants

[grey12]

@VenusClapTrap

It’s usually logistics. It can be a pain to find someone to have the younger one while you’re at a party with the older one. Unless it’s drop and go. No excuse then - it’s a bit cheeky.

Definitely this

If I had to stay in the party I would have to bring the siblings, no other option

[Deadringer]

With 5 dc and many many parties this has never happened to me. I think its very cheeky, if you have childcare problems sort them out, or your kid will just have to miss the party.

[CyclingIsNotOuting]

I think it’s a shame for the child that’s invited. Only because the sibling is usually younger and a bit of a pain. The last party we went to there were loads of siblings on the bouncy castle and the birthday child and friends were constantly being told to ‘be careful of the little ones’ etc.
I know sometimes it can’t be helped but I do my best to get someone to help look after my younger DC so the older one can enjoy the party, even if it’s another parent from the party that takes them and we swap.
Divide and conquer!

[Ohdoleavemealone]

I hosted a party today and one of the kids mum was almost an hour late to pick up (from a soft play venue!)

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

Fine to ask and fine to say it’s not possible to accommodate- also fine if that means some can’t come

[IndecentCakes]

I don't mind. It's good to have a bit of warning.

[Heartdogs]

Cheeky bastards!