Party Siblings.... Is this rude?

[wLuytgNx]

Hi all, not sure if the right thread but here goes... I'm after some advice - do you think this sounds rude on an invitation?

Backstory first.... Organising an activity party for my 5yr old, I've also paid for party food after in the party room. It's a public session so there are spaces still available for the activity that members of the public could book - However I'm going to suggest to parents of the invited children that they are welcome to book online for parents or siblings to join in the same session if they wanted to (This would stop the amount of strangers that could possibly be there, I'm fearing feral kids taking over and intimidating the little ones)

BUT I have only catered for the party children due to costs. I've been to parties where I can see parents getting upset as siblings sit down, take over and assume they are being fed. There is a cafe right next to the party room so I presume parents would feed siblings in the cafe ? (I would if this was a party my child was invited to).

At the last party my son had we did have plenty of party food left so of course offered any siblings and parents to help themselves once the party children ate and I would do the same again. I just fear siblings taking over :-(

So wording is;

If any parents or siblings would like to join in the activity there are spaces available in the same session. You're more than welcome to book online for the session. Please note party food will only be available for the party children however there is a cafe on site.

^ Is this rude? Is there a nicer way to say it? Do I just forget the whole siblings can come idea?

Thanks for the answers, I think I'm used to lower key parties in my neck of the woods!

It’s probably not much of an issue but I have had a CF dad pitch up with his other son to my son’s football party. In football kit including shin pads and say “oh he can join in can’t he?” 10 kids invited = 5 a side. He did join in but then sat down and took a pre ordered hot dog leaving another child who had ordered it without food. The party food was literally exactly as ordered. Eg 5 burgers and 5 hotdogs. He also took a party bag leaving my own son without. He’s a cheeky shit

Quite frankly Polka, you should have told the Dad that he couldn't join in and you certainly shouldn't have given him your sons party bag!! (As an aside I didn't realise kids got party bags at their own party???)

What did you decide OP?

The dad not the child.

Perfectly reasonable, if a little sad you need to point it out. I often take siblings and always check when I rsvp that it's ok (ie not a closed session) and let them know I expect to pay for everyone not invited. It's happened a few times that I've been collared before going in to be told there's some no shows, so to add the siblings to the party list and not pay. Other times I pay.
Food is for the invitees first, parents and siblings get to fight for the left overs. It's how it goes

Wow, didn't expect this to turn into these kind of responses. Thanks to the person who said Well, hope your kid has no one turn up at their party!

Just to clear up a few things for the people who have commented since my last post;

It's a climbing place as I already mentioned

It's £4.50 per head for food, I've paid for the party guests

I can't afford to pay for siblings to eat too, they aren't invited, they aren't my DS's friends.

I can't afford exclusivity of the whole venue

I appreciate some parents have to come with siblings which is why I have been open enough to let them know in advance that there are spaces available if they wanted to book and pay for the sibling or even the parent themselves to join in.

However I haven't catered for the siblings - that was the main issue and the point of my thread. Not if the siblings can come or how to avoid them coming, I want them to come to fill the place up BUT I can't afford to feed them and wanted a nice way to say this on the invite

I have witnessed siblings running into the party room, the party child then sat with people he/she doesn't know whilst best friends are the other end of the table, not enough food and party bags left for the actual invitees because siblings have grabbed them.

I'm repeating myself I know but just wanted to get those points clear.

Also yes for a climbing party I would assume parents stay to ensure their kids are ok as there is a danger of them being scared or stuck or hurt etc just like a trampoline place.

I think the thread has run it's course now. It wasn't so people could compare and dig each other out. It was just to help me with some polite wording for the invites - Which I am not going to bother with now unless asked by a parent if siblings can come.

Thanks to all who provided a positive contribution to the thread

It’s so annoying that some parents do this! At my daughters 5th Birthday (we had it at home) there ended up being 8 extra kids, who sat down at the table, so there wasn’t enough seats, who cried when there was no party bag for them. And I had to explain to the parents. So rude! And it left me feeling bad for the kids.