Help please! WWYD with cheeky request in response to birthday party invitation.

[ShellfishGait]

Organised DS's 5th birthday party for this weekend at a fun venue. Invites went out at beginning of term with RSVP details. A few confirmations received by text and at school gates. This evening I get a phone call from a parent of one of the invitees. She says 'can I bring my other 2 kids as there's no one to look after them, oh and my mum?'
I told her I'd check with venue and call back as it's prepaid for a certain number of guests. She responded that she would pay for the 2 siblings. I said I will get back to her. I'm annoyed as the party is this Saturday and I wanted it to be about DS and his mates. He's never had a birthday party like this before and no other children's siblings have been invited. What should I do?

Say no that's not possible, but you understand if in that case her invited child can't make it.

Why can't her mum take care of her two uninvited children?

Have you asked why her mum can't look after the other 2 DC? That would seem to be the best solution

Why would the party not be about your DS if the siblings come along? The adults will stick to themselves, she's going to pay for the kids, DS will be The Birthday Boy. Don't think it's a big deal is it?

(Having said that, if the grandma is free don't see why she can't watch the siblings...)

Are you happy for her to drop and run?
That would be what I would suggest to her.

Text back - You do realise that the siblings will not be involved at all in any of the party activities? It will probably be best if you leave them with your mum, or ask your mum to bring the invited guest.

Why can't she leave the other 2 with her mum then?
Will she be able to pay for her other 2?
Have you got sole use of the facilities or will there be other people there?
I think if the venue say she can pay for her other 2 I would grudgingly agree to that.

Why can't her mum look after them then? Bit odd. Would depend where you are going the amount of children and ages of the other two. If they are to much younger or older can get in the way , get upset, or hurt if rough play, start arguments if older and try and be to bossy etc.

Saying that if it's soft play open to public place she could just show up and pay anyway and then nudge way into food and games. Unless you think other children would spoil party or really not age appropriate you probable have to suck it up. Unless it's 100 % exclusively yours and you say no way.

If it is at a soft play then I would be fine with that. When DD went to parties at soft play parents quite often brought siblings along and paid them in because they had no childcare and dropping and running wasn't an option as the soft plays were too far to go back home. The siblings weren't included in the birthday meal, but they could eat food that the parents had paid for from the venue.

Thanks for responses all. Yes, I wondered why mum couldn't look after them to be honest. The siblings coming would not have been as much of an issue if she hadn't mentioned the fact that she wants to bring her mum too. It's mini golf so not appropriate for very young children. The siblings are 2 and 3. I will suggest that she can drop and run or if she wants to stay with the other children and bring her mum, they will need to be looked after and kept separate from the party. Thank you again.

in that case I can see why it wouldn't work.