Parents wanting siblings to come to my dd's party.

[mummyloveslucy]

Hi, we are having my daughters 5th birthday party at a victoriam musium. She loves it there, as they dress them up and play games etc. It does say only for 5's and over.
There are only 10 girls in her class, so we've envited all of them plus one parent. We have to pay for parents too.
The problem is, one of the Mums has to bring her much older son who has SEN's. That's absoluitly fine, but now other parents are asking if siblings can come.
One Mum has said she'll pay for the 3 year old brother to come. It makes it really awkward to say to other parents, they can come if you pay for them, and anyway it does state 5 and over.
I don't want to disappoint anyone and I don't want them to think I'm being mean, but I really can't afford siblings as well as her class mates.
I also want to keep the party as small and simple as possible as my DD gets easily overwhelmed, and will refuse to join in.
It's just an awkward situation.
I acctually feel like cancelling it and saying something has come up.

I do not think that it is unreasonable for parents to stay when children are in reception. I find 4/5 year old children can get very needy when their parents leave them, and I never left mine at that age. Having lots of tearful little children who all want to sit on your lap is not much fun for them or you.

I do agree parents should pay for siblings to attend, but ideally they should be left at home with the other parent.

I'm a bit shocked that parents expect to stay for 5 yos at a party! The parents of dd's friends can't seem to get away fast enough! Maybe it's a Belgian thing.

Even the first one we did when she was 4, they just dropped off. I usually offer them a glass of wine or something when they come to collect.

Say no , even to the SN child and defintiely no under 5's. They could well prove a distraction you and your dd don't need and it will make the line clear. I'd say don't even offer to pay for parents either other than any official "helpers" . Most would prefer to go and have a coffee somewhere else anyway, can you suggest soemwhere close by and keep their mobile numbers to hand.