I have just received an invitation to a party:

[Swedes2Turnips1]

To Derek and Mavis, Please come to celebrate our engagement on 9th December
12.30pm for 1pm
"and all your children (Jimbob, johnboy, Maryellen & Elizabeth) are welcome to come too".

Love from
Couple with no children

Obviously we are pleased to be invited but are the children invited or are they not invited, not really?+

If they are invited why not
To Derek, Mavis, Jimbob etc?

Am I being unresonable in thinking this quite hilarious?

[noyummymummy]

agree with newgirl and think that an extension is 'bloody hell, better invite the kids too or we'll look rude' is probably closer to the truth. Sorry, I don't think they really want them there...

My newly engaged friends asked my dh and I to their party and said quite specifically, 'get a babysitter so we can have a knees up'

In any event, they are trying to do the right thing in their funny, no kids, blissfully in love kind of way.

[Swedes2Turnips1]

I had a chat with MIL last night. Apparently they would rather the children didn't come. The party is a buffet lunch for 10 adults - plus our 4 children if they come (there are no other children). I am going to take my 4 month old and get a babysitter for the rest.

[Bouncingturtle]

I'm with Twiglett - I think you are reading way to much into this, after all I bet they had a lot of invites to write! Your kids are defintely invited. Stop looking for hidden meanings and enjoy it

[NAB3littlemonkeys]

Surely, if the whole family were invited and you decided not to take the children that is up to you and not needed specifying on the invite? Just ring and ask if it is going to stress you.

[Twiglett]

Look

some grown-ups like to party away from their children

they are telling you if you want to come without your children that's fine but if you want to bring the children that would be lovely too

I think you're being kind of churlish

[newgirl]

isnt the invite saying

we want you to come

bloody hell better invite the kids too

oh well they are getting married they will be in the same boat soon enough!

[Swedes2Turnips1]

Flier - Thank goodness someone else thinks the wording is funny.

[SantaBeClausImWorthIt]

Given that it's a lunchtime do I think they're just trying to make it really clear that your children are invited.

[Flier]

I agree that the wording is a bit funny "and all your children", they maybe didn't think about what to write before they started writing iykwim. The sentiment is clear, though, if you want to bring your children they are welcome. all of them. all four.

[Swedes2Turnips1]

lazycow - thanks. The thing is that I would be very happy to do either - so wish they would be clear. Just checking really that the all your children does not mean - there are really rather a lot of them and you surely won't be bring them with you.

[goingfor3christmaspuddings]

They are saying children are welcome but if you just want sometime as a couple that's fine too!

[Lazycow]

And I'd forgotten, as nailpolosh said some of my friends have older and younger children and chose to bring the older ones but not the younger ones and vice versa. I thought the decision on who they brought should be up to them.

[Lazycow]

It seems that you and your dp are invited and they are leaving the decision as to whether to bring the children up to you.

Maybe they didn't know whether you might want to go without them or you might prefer to take them with you.

At my wedding I addressed invites to adults only but I said (and wrote on the invite) that children were also welcome, which they were but I wanted the parents to decide whether they wanted to bring them or not.

Also I couldn't always remember all the names of the children (so shoot me) so it seemed easier that way.

I think it is actually quite considerate.

[Swedes2Turnips1]

nailpolish - thanks.

[nailpolish]

oh fgs stop nitpicking

some people are snobs and dont want children at their engagement party, they are just trying to make it clear they do

i think its nice

[Swedes2Turnips1]

LOL - I think it means you've got too many flipping children.

[MerryAnnSinglemas]

or you could bring some of your children ! I think it's just a way of saying you are welcome to bring them or not, your decision

[Swedes2Turnips1]

It is from DP's brother. I should have made that clear.

all of your children is hilarious.

[Swedes2Turnips1]

ComeOveneer - Sorry. It is a bit jumbled isn't it.
This is the exact wording:

Dear Derek & Mavis
Please come to our engagment party on 9th Dec at 12.30 for 1.00 at 22 Bishop's ...... .

And all of your children (insert names of all four) are welcome to come too.

Love from

Bob & Sue

So what I am asking is are the children really invited?
If so, why didn't they write
Dear Derek Mavis & children?

I am trying to read between the lines, are they inviting the children as in if you really have to bring them you can sort of thing?

[wilbur]

They have no children, they are recently engaged and are brainlessly in love. One of them wrote Derek and Mavis and forgot you had children, remembered before they put the card in the envelope and added the bring the kids quite genuinely. I wouldn't sweat it - I forget about other people's kids and even my own regularly when I am doing cards. Take the kids and enjoy the party.

[eandh]

quick hijack ruby did you get the dress for dd3 and take a trip to the shoe shop

[MerryAnnSinglemas]

sounds perfectly ok to me - what's the problem ?