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AIBU?

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Original poster

NYE party and babies

150 replies

quackadoodledooo · 23/11/2023 02:08

Traditionally DH and I host a NYE party have been for 8 years now, we love it. Before now kids weren’t an issue, none of our close friends had any, but in the last 2 years there has been a baby boom (we are all 31-35 now so makes sense). We are included in the boom and have a 7 month old.
Today the question of “are kids invited to NYE” was asked - and well I don’t know!!
The kids are between 3/4 months and 18 months, and I’m half thinking we should say no? Who wants a load of tiny kids at a party (8 of them to be exact). Other half of me is thinking more the merrier - our son will be there so why not everyone else!! We have a 4 bed so was thinking sons nursery and the guest room could be set up with travel cots (BYOC instead of BYOB lol), and act as our baby party, I’m sure the ones who have little tiny babies who don’t sleep in their own rooms yet could use slings or something. DH reckons he could set up a baby watch system where we can see them all on baby monitors.
Now is this ludicrous? 16 people there will have babies of the invite list of about 50 (we do a gazebo in the garden to make everyone fit) so it will be noticed if all the parents are left at home. We are also inviting some colleagues so there will be kids of around 4/6 there too. I like the idea that all these babies will grow up and be friends and we will continue to see them all the annual party so why not start now, surely the chaos years will be when we have 8 toddlers running around overtired and not sweet little babas? (maybe we can get a snap of them
all each year to embarrass them with on the year they all turn 18 and can drink haha).

AIBU to think this could work or do we say no babies pls we’d like to retain some sanity going into the new year?

OP posts:
DrJump · 23/11/2023 02:29

I'd invite the babies. We regularly go to new year's parties with kids/babies. It's fun.

Chipsahoyagain · 23/11/2023 02:34

Sounds like my idea of hell.

merrymelodies · 23/11/2023 02:35

It's probably going to be difficult to find a babysitter for NYE. And expensive. Babies will probably sleep through a party as long as it's not too raucous.

Aphroditee · 23/11/2023 02:36

If you’re hosting then it’s completely up to you what you do.

From experience, some (many) guests with young kids and babies will not drink, drive home and put their babies to bed in their own homes.

I doubt it will be a crazy party anyway with so many little ones who will be tired and cranky but if you’re comfortable with guests then invite whoever you want.

FortofPud · 23/11/2023 02:37

I'd try it. It'll either be amazing or awful. If it's awful go kid free next year!

BullAndDoring · 23/11/2023 02:47

I personally wouldn't be comfortable doing this; being at a party in a gazebo in a garden with my baby sleeping in a room in the house - baby monitor or not.

Original poster
quackadoodledooo · 23/11/2023 02:49

BullAndDoring · 23/11/2023 02:47

I personally wouldn't be comfortable doing this; being at a party in a gazebo in a garden with my baby sleeping in a room in the house - baby monitor or not.

Sorry … not everyone will be in the garden, in fact it’s mostly in the house, the garden is the overflow space! Obviously we wouldn’t leave the babies in the house alone!!

OP posts:
LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 23/11/2023 05:46

A lot of people don’t probably can’t come without their baby so it would be nice to include them.
But how many of the guests have a baby as people without a baby may not like it so much?

Zanatdy · 23/11/2023 06:11

Yeah I’d invite them and I’m sure most parents will be fine with a monitor to observe

SpringIntoChaos · 23/11/2023 06:33

I would love that set up...and I'm sure many parents would appreciate having the option. What a fabulous host you sound OP ♥️

Mummyboy1 · 23/11/2023 06:40

Yes! I would definitely do that! Some may not come, or they'll find a babysitter. But giving the option of it, why not?!

Catsonskis · 23/11/2023 06:46

We were you a few years ago, only not the hosts. Our friends host a fab NYE party each year. Then they all had kids (w ours are the youngest now at 3 and 1) there’s 10 of them now. Our parties changed a bit in that starts earlier around 4, and we do “6pm is the new midnight” For the kids with a countdown, auld lang Seine sing song mini disco and fireworks and/or sparklers at 6pm. By 7/7:30 they’re all asleep in various rooms of the house! Some families go home as it’s easier for them, others just transfer the kids to the car when we’re ready to go etc.

we all love it. Kids love seeing their friends and wearing party dresses and being at a proper party. We get to have fun whilst some of the bigger kids entertain the smaller ones. Then can relax (with one ear on the baby monitor lol)

weve also done the photo thing you talk about every year, with and without kids. It’s lovely.

so I say do it!

AllAboardTootToot · 23/11/2023 06:49

Do it, warts (sorry kids) n all! Will be fun!

Humbugg · 23/11/2023 06:51

I think it’s a great idea. Parents so often end up staying in and doing nothing on NYE

GRex · 23/11/2023 06:56

We did it on a much smaller scale when DS was younger and it was fine, though it was one child per room apart from the siblings. It was great. A few of the babies worle up a coupe of times though, so having multiple in one room carries disturbance risk. I would not want that with 4 and 6yo though, they really need to be put to bed.

AhBiscuits · 23/11/2023 06:58

If you say no kids then most of the people with kids won't come. Depends how much you want them there.

pamplemoussee · 23/11/2023 07:05

Do it !
not sure what time your party usually starts but I'd just shift things abit earlier so people with slightly older kids can still come and either get the kids off home or get them to bed. With the babies it's usually more flexible with sleep depending on their age etc if they can use a sling or put them down with baby monitor and the parents can decide if they're just coming for a bit or the full night

inappropriateraspberry · 23/11/2023 07:08

Do it but accept that it will be a very different kind of party. Once children are in the picture NYE isn't such a big deal.

Aparecium · 23/11/2023 07:10

This is pretty much what it was like for me (or, rather, my parents and their friends) when I was little. They used to joke about carpeting a room with sleeping children.

I'd say go for it. Some parents may leave earlier, but those parents probably wouldn't be able come at all if their children couldn't come. Of course it will change the dynamic of the party, but the dynamics of friendships change when you have babies anyway.

MinnieMountain · 23/11/2023 07:40

DH’s aunt and uncle did that when his cousin got married. They had the reception at their house and the babies (including ours) were in one bedroom. It worked well.

Quitelikeacatslife · 23/11/2023 07:42

I'd do it at this age, then let someone else host in the 3-7 years when they are charging about !
Life will change and babysitters are expensive on nye. It's a bit shit for your friends to stay in at home once baby is in bed,
We had some of the best nye when kids were little and everyone stayed over , put kids to bed and had fun after. Then evolved to kids staying up.

FlickyCrumble · 23/11/2023 07:49

I think having the babies camp out in your house is a great idea. I would just let everyone know if babies are coming so those without babies or have childcare can choose not to come.

TeenLifeMum · 23/11/2023 07:53

This is why we host - friends come over with dc and all cram in. This year it’s more low key with just 2 other couples and 7 teens but we’ve done it since they were babies. Lots of fun.

Sceptre86 · 23/11/2023 07:57

I'd try it this year snd if it doesn't work well then you know not to do it again. People can make up their own minds if they want to attend or not, with my eldest dd it would have been more hassle than what it was worth as she woke repeatedly but dd2 literally sleeps anywhere so I'd be up for it.

Starseeking · 23/11/2023 07:59

If I had DC that age it would be the perfect solution.

If it was me now with primary age DC, being a single parent I wouldn't be able to attend if DC not invited.

Some parents may not be able to attend if DC not invited as it would likely mean one person staying home with the babies on their own while the other goes to the party, and that wouldn't work for lots as families generally like to be together for occasions like NYE.

My vote is try it with the babies this year, and if it doesn't work come up with a new plan for next year.