Birthday etiquette - Can I bring my husband with me to a child's party?

[trulyclueless]

My daughter has been invited to a party for a child whom we're not particularly close with, but I think it's a lovely gesture. It's being held at an attraction and the invite says one adult per child included, extra guests to be booked in advance. Would it be rude if I asked if my husband can come too and we'll happily pay for him? Not sure what the etiquette is with these things. Or should I just contact the attraction and book him in? Or will it look bizarre and is it mainly one parent and child at these things? Evidently I have zero clue about these things

As it specifically says ‘extra guests booked in advance’ I would contact the host, accept the invite for your daughter and say as it will be 2 adults, do you pay her or the attraction directly?

That way the host knows the numbers and that you are expecting to pay for the extra.

Why? It's a child's party, not a family day out.

I wouldn’t, personally. But as pp said, ask as requested.

It sounds like it wouldn’t be a big deal for him to go but I just never really understand why you would want to both go to sit and watch your child at another child’s birthday party. But that’s just me!

I do this if I don't know the parents and dh not busy. Given it states one adult I'd message host and ask if u pay for dh through her or venue.

If it says extra guests in advance then I think it’s ok - but definitely worth checking to make sure you’re not the only couple there.

Even if you can take your DH I don’t think you should
Is there a reason you want him to go with you?

Why would you, though ?

Just asked the host. Sounds like it's ok but best to check.

We've been to lots of parties at soft play centre for example. The invite is for one child plus one adult. If there are siblings or extra adults then they need to pay for themselves. It's completely normal.

Some people go alone with just 1 child, some grandparents take the child, sometimes 2 parents go with 1 child, or 2 parents with invites child plus extra sibling etc. there are lots of different reasons and no-one I know would bay an eyelid in any of those scenarios.

I wouldn’t take DH. It’s a child’s birthday not your family day out.

The reason I wanted to bring my husband is because in honesty I barely know the birthday girl and her mother, and I get a bit nervous around new people/people I'm not overly close with. My husband however is a real natural with these kinds of situations.

That being said some of the replies have made me feel like its not really the done thing, so I'll just be going myself

Can you just send your DH? That's what I would try to do.

Send your DH!

Well in that case your DH should take her. Why do you think you have to?

Well then DH should go ... we take it in turns ...it's my turn tomorrow... damn it!

Get dh to take her. Two parents attending Children’s parties is embarrassing.

The reason I wanted to bring my husband is because in honesty I barely know the birthday girl and her mother, and I get a bit nervous around new people/people I'm not overly close with

Then it's an ideal opportunity to get to know some other people. You really don't want your entire social life to circle around your husband. You're wise not to take him. When my DC were little, there were occasionally mums who brought their husbands to things like this, but they missed out!

extra guests to be booked in advance
Maybe I’m wrong but I’d assume this refers to siblings and it’s not an invite to turn it into a family day out. I imagine you’d be the only couple aside from the birthday child’s parents, especially if it’s something like soft play because the normal thing is to argue about who doesn’t have to go! I’d send DH if I were you.

Exactly that.

Not in my world!
Maybe we are odd, or got lucky with our nursery and school classes, but we actually like seeing all other parents at kids parties. It's very much the done thing in my circle. And we all enjoy mingling!

I knew it would be because you wanted have him to feel less awkward. The trouble is you may end up sticking with each other instead of talking to other people there.
I think you should either brave it or send your husband alone.

Your dh goes in your place. It’s just weird for you both to go especially as your not close to the host

Your husband should just go then. Such a waste of a few hours for both of you to go- have a couple of hours to yourself.

I don’t understand why you wouldn’t see this as a opportunity to make new friends or even just acquaintances?

How did you ‘get close’ to your friends? You started out as strangers?

Extra guests is definitely code for don't bring 3 additonal children and expect them all to get in for free.
It always looked a bit odd when couples came to a birthday party. Most of us felt a bit awkward but I met some lovely women at parties that became proper friends.