Siblings at parties etiquette

[Threelittlemoomins]

It's DD's 4th birthday in a couple of months and we've booked a soft play party. Most of her friends have younger siblings, most of them are around 2. We can't really afford/want to invite any of them.

We've booked a weekend party over lunchtime thinking that one parent could come along whilst the other stayed home, especially as most of the little ones still have lunch time naps. If they want to bring them, that can always pay for thier entry but I'm not planning to do party bags for the little ones.

Is it really bad form not to invite the whole family?

No, it isn;t bad form.

If the party is in a public playcentre then parents can pay admission and provide own food. If it is a private hire then unless it is a babe in arms they shouldn't bring them.

No, not bad form.

I did once ask if any siblings were coming, so I could pay for tea, but it's certainly not usual(that was an after school party, and there was only one sibling anyway). I would expect to pay myself if I needed to take a sibling.

I don't think so. If my elder child had a party I would try very hard to only take them (and prob with just one parent). Especially for a per person party like this or in fact in someone's home. My friends like me have limited space, so it's not fair to turn up mob handed in my view.

Next year it won't be an issue as most people will drop and run at 5.

Thanks everyone!

My DD is the oldest in our group of friends so I'm the first one facing this as last year the little ones were babes in arms.

I totally agree cat which is why we're leaving DD2 at home with GPs so we can focus on DD1.

I often have to take my younger one to parties for my older child, as my husband is often away. If it is soft play I always pay entry and buy food, and don't expect a party bag, but often one is given, which I think is a kind thing to do.

When I had my son's party (in a hall) I made sure there were enough party bags for siblings - marginal extra cost and I do think it is harsh for a 2 or 3 year old to not get a bag of sweets when all the other children are.

If it was in shall I'd invite siblings, will be doing that for DD2's party later in the year.

But I think you're right wondering I'll take a couple of spare party bags for any siblings that do come.

I over-catered at DS's last party & so spent the next week polishing off fun-size mars bars and so on, so I felt I'd got my reward...