My DS is going to turn 5 and we are having his bday party at a gymnastics place. They do an obstacle course and jump into foam pits. I want to invite his friends but without inviting their siblings since things can get pretty rowdy in the foam pit with older kids. What is a polite way of inviting his friends only? Particularly since my son doesn't know any of their siblings? It's not a drop-off/pick-up party either.
Thank you, all. We just wrote "no siblings, please" and when I was at another kid's party last week, many of the parents there told me that it was a good idea, and some said they will do this in the future. Most importantly, we all agreed that when it comes to birthday etiquette, responding (RSVPing) is the most important thing one can do.
Address the invitation to the specific child you are inviting and add a line that says "Only invited guest and parent can attend due to space limitations".
Apparently it's not unusual for all siblings to be included in an invitation, however it's worded, perhaps for the convenience of the parents. So if you want only the invited child, you will have to say so. It might be easier, actually, to telephone your invitations and say, "We'd like Billy to come, but the number of guests has to be limited, so we aren't inviting siblings this time." If that displeases Billy's mama, you say, "We're so sorry that Billy can't make it." You'll need to be specific on the transportation part of it, too.
I think it's fine to send an invite with just a specific name on it. I never assume that siblings are invited, but in the case of it not being a drop off/pick up kinda thing you may find yourself running into some big issue's.
I wouldn't pay a sitter to take my child to a birthday party. That's provided, of course, there isn't any family who could to it for me.
If it is a public place, open to the public, then on the invitation you could say "Siblings welcome, at the expense of the parents". I see this one a lot and find it to be a good compromise. Especially if you are going to want parents to be there.
At that age, since there are so many little siblings involved (and especially if you want the parents to stay the whole time), I think you can put "please no siblings" on the invitation, but be prepared for a lower turnout. It can be hard, as you know, to occupy a preschool-aged child for 2 hours while big brother/sister is jumping into a foam pit, and little sibling isn't allowed to join in... However, as long as you are okay with a lower turnout, there's nothing wrong with stating "no siblings" on the invite. Technically, people shouldn't assume siblings are invited anyway, but as we all know, people assume all kinds of things that they shouldn't. :)
Just put on the invite no siblings please. If the parent is having to say that can be hard for some. But those ones just may not be able to come. Also state no drop offs. It to me is irrelavent if your son knows the siblings you are paying per child I am sure or for a certain number of children and you would have to probably pay more for more kids. MOST parents will understand that if it's stated. My oldest when to a few parties when he was younger that I would ask cause it was not stated. If it was a no my son was not able to go as I had no one to watch my youngest. Just be very specific on the invite.
You could say no siblings but...as a mother of three I included siblings. Made planning so much easier and I got a great turnout. Parents don't want to have to worry about finding a sitter or tag teaming it with their partner if siblings are included. It is your party but....make it easy.
I would specify that you need to know how many children will be attending by x date so that the gym can have enough instructors for the party. Further, due to the venue you regret that siblings cannot join in. If the place requires a parent to stay, let them know that, too. My DD was not yet 4 and The Little Gym required that I take off my shoes and help keep an eye on her in the tumble area.
Just put on the invitation that one parent is asked to stay and that due to safety issues on the invited child may attend the party.
Gymnastics classes are based on skill levels and ages of the kids. If there are toddlers along side the 5 year olds and then maybe some older kids there are going to be kids hurt.
When we have birthday parties for kids at the gym they are like this. They only do one age group. Ask the gym owner and I bet he'll say the same thing. It's just too dangerous like you said.
So put that on the invitation. Or let them know when you call them to see if their coming since no one RSVP's for anything anymore.
I wouldn't expect the parents to stay at the party, and if I did I would have to be able to accomodate siblings. It's not fair to expect parents to get a sitter for their other children so that they can help you supervise your party, or to make the siblings stand and observe the party without participating. You also can't assume that the kids being invited are from two parent families, or that the other parent doesn't have to work. If you have a party you should be responsible for supervising the party, or recruiting friends and family to help out. Until I started coming on this site I had never heard of people expecting parents to stay at their kids parties.
We opted to not do a party that requires a per child charge for that very reason. My husband wanted to give her what ever party she wanted which was an ice skating party, but I said no because I already know who has siblings in the classroom they will be there. I see everyone of those siblings at every party. It would be odd for me to say they were not invited. We will have her party at a local park and I am sure they will have just as much fun.
So yes, put note that states the host has limited the number of guests or due to the contact in the obstacle course, the age limit is from 5 - 6 years of age.
This sibling issue is such a big and touchy topic.
Just note that due to space limits & cost, only the one child is invited.
If the kid is from a duel parent household & there aren't any extenuating circumstances, then letting junior enjoy a party with his/her friends sans siblings shouldn't be an issue, and splitting up the kids & parenting duties shouldn't be a big deal for a couple of hours.
