Birthday party etiquette and siblings

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 3 kids. For my 2 older kids, we had small parties and not one person brought a sibling. Some dropped off. Many stayed.

I’m having an all class party for my kindergarten child at a public place. I would rather you not come than bring a sibling. I have a space problem as is. Unless you are a close friend, I don’t want your toddler.

If you’re in a public place, what are you going to do with all the randos who also happen to be in your public space that day? I don’t understand what sort of space issue you are concerned about in a public venue (unless you paid to rent the whole place in which case it’s no longer open to the public). Presumably you are paying for X number of kids and have a party room for pizza/cake for X number of kids. If Y kids show up and don’t eat your food or otherwise require you to pay for them or count toward your package total, then you don’t need to worry about those Y number of kids whether they are a sibling or not.

I’ve never brought an uninvited sibling to a party before (aside from a non mobile infant in carrier back in the day). But I don’t see why anyone would care if a sibling happens to be in the same venue, but kept separate from the party. Please explain why you give a crap if a toddler runs around a public play place that happens to be related to one of your party guests?

I swear some of you just make up stuff to get upset about.

Because they don't stay away from the party. The play part is about 75 minutes then they are in the private party space for the last 45. Who comes wandering in looking for food and favors? The uninvited siblings. Because mom is there to watch her kid and she can't do it when she's not in the party room. I swear some of you have never been to a kid party if you've never seen this. I've never seen the parent insist on staying and then pretending to be in the public area out of sight the entire time. Why stay at all then? The whole reason OP said she needs to stay is because she doesn't want to just drop off.

NP. I never bring uninvited siblings and YES, it's irritable when people do without asking, I get it. If it's a space issue you need to be upfront on the invitation- "unfortunately we cannot accommodate siblings." I don't get the handwringing over food and goody bags though. If you have siblings show up that weren't accounted for in the RSVP, just don't hand them a goody bag. If they ask say sorry, we only have enough for the number of kids on the RSVP. And frankly what I'd put in bags for a 6yo may not be appropriate for a toddler anyway. But I always seem to have extra cupcakes and pizza after these things because I typically account for parents when I order and then half of them don't eat anything. So I'd be happy to have someone take more food so I don't have to bring home.

People don’t care about no siblings on an invite. Otherwise we wouldn’t have tons of posts on this common phenomenon. I find disingenuous the people acting like this never happens or that parents don’t take advantage.

Take advantage of what? A cupcake from the grocery store? A bag of cheap favors from Party City? Please let us know what these people are taking advantage of when they pay for another kid to play at SkyZone at the same time as your party.

Well, why make lunch for the younger sibling when they can get it for free at the party?

Nobody is making some huge plan to scam you out of a slice of Dominoes pizza and a grocery store cupcake. Some of you really live your lives thinking like this?

Then buy your own pizza? Nobody wants your toddler at a big kid party. But you’re in the public part so how could this be an issue?

m

I don’t even have a toddler, but what is your point here? You don’t want a toddler to play in a public area? Not one person has said it would be okay to bring a toddler expecting to be served food or participate in the party, but there are a handful of posters who think parents have a premeditated agenda to snag a piece of pizza.

If OP can really be invisible and not participate in the party, it would be fine. However, she will likely talk to other parents and go to party area with toddler.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 3 kids. For my 2 older kids, we had small parties and not one person brought a sibling. Some dropped off. Many stayed.

I’m having an all class party for my kindergarten child at a public place. I would rather you not come than bring a sibling. I have a space problem as is. Unless you are a close friend, I don’t want your toddler.

If you’re in a public place, what are you going to do with all the randos who also happen to be in your public space that day? I don’t understand what sort of space issue you are concerned about in a public venue (unless you paid to rent the whole place in which case it’s no longer open to the public). Presumably you are paying for X number of kids and have a party room for pizza/cake for X number of kids. If Y kids show up and don’t eat your food or otherwise require you to pay for them or count toward your package total, then you don’t need to worry about those Y number of kids whether they are a sibling or not.

I’ve never brought an uninvited sibling to a party before (aside from a non mobile infant in carrier back in the day). But I don’t see why anyone would care if a sibling happens to be in the same venue, but kept separate from the party. Please explain why you give a crap if a toddler runs around a public play place that happens to be related to one of your party guests?

I swear some of you just make up stuff to get upset about.

Because they don't stay away from the party. The play part is about 75 minutes then they are in the private party space for the last 45. Who comes wandering in looking for food and favors? The uninvited siblings. Because mom is there to watch her kid and she can't do it when she's not in the party room. I swear some of you have never been to a kid party if you've never seen this. I've never seen the parent insist on staying and then pretending to be in the public area out of sight the entire time. Why stay at all then? The whole reason OP said she needs to stay is because she doesn't want to just drop off.

NP. I never bring uninvited siblings and YES, it's irritable when people do without asking, I get it. If it's a space issue you need to be upfront on the invitation- "unfortunately we cannot accommodate siblings." I don't get the handwringing over food and goody bags though. If you have siblings show up that weren't accounted for in the RSVP, just don't hand them a goody bag. If they ask say sorry, we only have enough for the number of kids on the RSVP. And frankly what I'd put in bags for a 6yo may not be appropriate for a toddler anyway. But I always seem to have extra cupcakes and pizza after these things because I typically account for parents when I order and then half of them don't eat anything. So I'd be happy to have someone take more food so I don't have to bring home.

People don’t care about no siblings on an invite. Otherwise we wouldn’t have tons of posts on this common phenomenon. I find disingenuous the people acting like this never happens or that parents don’t take advantage.

Take advantage of what? A cupcake from the grocery store? A bag of cheap favors from Party City? Please let us know what these people are taking advantage of when they pay for another kid to play at SkyZone at the same time as your party.

Well, why make lunch for the younger sibling when they can get it for free at the party?

Nobody is making some huge plan to scam you out of a slice of Dominoes pizza and a grocery store cupcake. Some of you really live your lives thinking like this?

Then buy your own pizza? Nobody wants your toddler at a big kid party. But you’re in the public part so how could this be an issue?

m

I don’t even have a toddler, but what is your point here? You don’t want a toddler to play in a public area? Not one person has said it would be okay to bring a toddler expecting to be served food or participate in the party, but there are a handful of posters who think parents have a premeditated agenda to snag a piece of pizza.

If OP can really be invisible and not participate in the party, it would be fine. However, she will likely talk to other parents and go to party area with toddler.

OMG it’s a public place. As long as toddler isn’t taking a favor/eating food who cares. Parents are allowed to socialize in public places if they have other children. As long as that kid isn’t butting in on the party it is seriously a nonissue. People need to relax. You don’t own a play place because you’ve reserved a party room for 45 min. OP has said the kid won’t be in the party room. At those places you need to watch outside the party room, not inside.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 3 kids. For my 2 older kids, we had small parties and not one person brought a sibling. Some dropped off. Many stayed.

I’m having an all class party for my kindergarten child at a public place. I would rather you not come than bring a sibling. I have a space problem as is. Unless you are a close friend, I don’t want your toddler.

If you’re in a public place, what are you going to do with all the randos who also happen to be in your public space that day? I don’t understand what sort of space issue you are concerned about in a public venue (unless you paid to rent the whole place in which case it’s no longer open to the public). Presumably you are paying for X number of kids and have a party room for pizza/cake for X number of kids. If Y kids show up and don’t eat your food or otherwise require you to pay for them or count toward your package total, then you don’t need to worry about those Y number of kids whether they are a sibling or not.

I’ve never brought an uninvited sibling to a party before (aside from a non mobile infant in carrier back in the day). But I don’t see why anyone would care if a sibling happens to be in the same venue, but kept separate from the party. Please explain why you give a crap if a toddler runs around a public play place that happens to be related to one of your party guests?

I swear some of you just make up stuff to get upset about.

Because they don't stay away from the party. The play part is about 75 minutes then they are in the private party space for the last 45. Who comes wandering in looking for food and favors? The uninvited siblings. Because mom is there to watch her kid and she can't do it when she's not in the party room. I swear some of you have never been to a kid party if you've never seen this. I've never seen the parent insist on staying and then pretending to be in the public area out of sight the entire time. Why stay at all then? The whole reason OP said she needs to stay is because she doesn't want to just drop off.

NP. I never bring uninvited siblings and YES, it's irritable when people do without asking, I get it. If it's a space issue you need to be upfront on the invitation- "unfortunately we cannot accommodate siblings." I don't get the handwringing over food and goody bags though. If you have siblings show up that weren't accounted for in the RSVP, just don't hand them a goody bag. If they ask say sorry, we only have enough for the number of kids on the RSVP. And frankly what I'd put in bags for a 6yo may not be appropriate for a toddler anyway. But I always seem to have extra cupcakes and pizza after these things because I typically account for parents when I order and then half of them don't eat anything. So I'd be happy to have someone take more food so I don't have to bring home.

People don’t care about no siblings on an invite. Otherwise we wouldn’t have tons of posts on this common phenomenon. I find disingenuous the people acting like this never happens or that parents don’t take advantage.

Take advantage of what? A cupcake from the grocery store? A bag of cheap favors from Party City? Please let us know what these people are taking advantage of when they pay for another kid to play at SkyZone at the same time as your party.

Thanks for finally admitting what most of see. We know that the part crashers do this.

I’m in the process of planning parties for 3 kids in the next month.

Party venues often don’t allow outside food and they give a certain amount of pizza for the party guests. If there are extra people, there won’t be enough food or drinks.

I remember when we were first going to parties, I wondered why parents were so cheap and did not even have drinks for parents. I remember leaving a party hungry and thirsty and thought parents were so rude. Now I get it.

I booked a party for my child and the party includes 4 pizzas. They clearly say we cannot bring any outside food or drinks.

And? You are not limited to those 4 pizzas. You can purchase additional pizza and drinks outside of what is in the party package.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 3 kids. For my 2 older kids, we had small parties and not one person brought a sibling. Some dropped off. Many stayed.

I’m having an all class party for my kindergarten child at a public place. I would rather you not come than bring a sibling. I have a space problem as is. Unless you are a close friend, I don’t want your toddler.

If you’re in a public place, what are you going to do with all the randos who also happen to be in your public space that day? I don’t understand what sort of space issue you are concerned about in a public venue (unless you paid to rent the whole place in which case it’s no longer open to the public). Presumably you are paying for X number of kids and have a party room for pizza/cake for X number of kids. If Y kids show up and don’t eat your food or otherwise require you to pay for them or count toward your package total, then you don’t need to worry about those Y number of kids whether they are a sibling or not.

I’ve never brought an uninvited sibling to a party before (aside from a non mobile infant in carrier back in the day). But I don’t see why anyone would care if a sibling happens to be in the same venue, but kept separate from the party. Please explain why you give a crap if a toddler runs around a public play place that happens to be related to one of your party guests?

I swear some of you just make up stuff to get upset about.

Because they don't stay away from the party. The play part is about 75 minutes then they are in the private party space for the last 45. Who comes wandering in looking for food and favors? The uninvited siblings. Because mom is there to watch her kid and she can't do it when she's not in the party room. I swear some of you have never been to a kid party if you've never seen this. I've never seen the parent insist on staying and then pretending to be in the public area out of sight the entire time. Why stay at all then? The whole reason OP said she needs to stay is because she doesn't want to just drop off.

NP. I never bring uninvited siblings and YES, it's irritable when people do without asking, I get it. If it's a space issue you need to be upfront on the invitation- "unfortunately we cannot accommodate siblings." I don't get the handwringing over food and goody bags though. If you have siblings show up that weren't accounted for in the RSVP, just don't hand them a goody bag. If they ask say sorry, we only have enough for the number of kids on the RSVP. And frankly what I'd put in bags for a 6yo may not be appropriate for a toddler anyway. But I always seem to have extra cupcakes and pizza after these things because I typically account for parents when I order and then half of them don't eat anything. So I'd be happy to have someone take more food so I don't have to bring home.

People don’t care about no siblings on an invite. Otherwise we wouldn’t have tons of posts on this common phenomenon. I find disingenuous the people acting like this never happens or that parents don’t take advantage.

Take advantage of what? A cupcake from the grocery store? A bag of cheap favors from Party City? Please let us know what these people are taking advantage of when they pay for another kid to play at SkyZone at the same time as your party.

Thanks for finally admitting what most of see. We know that the part crashers do this.

I’m in the process of planning parties for 3 kids in the next month.

Party venues often don’t allow outside food and they give a certain amount of pizza for the party guests. If there are extra people, there won’t be enough food or drinks.

I remember when we were first going to parties, I wondered why parents were so cheap and did not even have drinks for parents. I remember leaving a party hungry and thirsty and thought parents were so rude. Now I get it.

I booked a party for my child and the party includes 4 pizzas. They clearly say we cannot bring any outside food or drinks.

And? You are not limited to those 4 pizzas. You can purchase additional pizza and drinks outside of what is in the party package.

Not always.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 3 kids. For my 2 older kids, we had small parties and not one person brought a sibling. Some dropped off. Many stayed.

I’m having an all class party for my kindergarten child at a public place. I would rather you not come than bring a sibling. I have a space problem as is. Unless you are a close friend, I don’t want your toddler.

If you’re in a public place, what are you going to do with all the randos who also happen to be in your public space that day? I don’t understand what sort of space issue you are concerned about in a public venue (unless you paid to rent the whole place in which case it’s no longer open to the public). Presumably you are paying for X number of kids and have a party room for pizza/cake for X number of kids. If Y kids show up and don’t eat your food or otherwise require you to pay for them or count toward your package total, then you don’t need to worry about those Y number of kids whether they are a sibling or not.

I’ve never brought an uninvited sibling to a party before (aside from a non mobile infant in carrier back in the day). But I don’t see why anyone would care if a sibling happens to be in the same venue, but kept separate from the party. Please explain why you give a crap if a toddler runs around a public play place that happens to be related to one of your party guests?

I swear some of you just make up stuff to get upset about.

Because they don't stay away from the party. The play part is about 75 minutes then they are in the private party space for the last 45. Who comes wandering in looking for food and favors? The uninvited siblings. Because mom is there to watch her kid and she can't do it when she's not in the party room. I swear some of you have never been to a kid party if you've never seen this. I've never seen the parent insist on staying and then pretending to be in the public area out of sight the entire time. Why stay at all then? The whole reason OP said she needs to stay is because she doesn't want to just drop off.

NP. I never bring uninvited siblings and YES, it's irritable when people do without asking, I get it. If it's a space issue you need to be upfront on the invitation- "unfortunately we cannot accommodate siblings." I don't get the handwringing over food and goody bags though. If you have siblings show up that weren't accounted for in the RSVP, just don't hand them a goody bag. If they ask say sorry, we only have enough for the number of kids on the RSVP. And frankly what I'd put in bags for a 6yo may not be appropriate for a toddler anyway. But I always seem to have extra cupcakes and pizza after these things because I typically account for parents when I order and then half of them don't eat anything. So I'd be happy to have someone take more food so I don't have to bring home.

People don’t care about no siblings on an invite. Otherwise we wouldn’t have tons of posts on this common phenomenon. I find disingenuous the people acting like this never happens or that parents don’t take advantage.

Take advantage of what? A cupcake from the grocery store? A bag of cheap favors from Party City? Please let us know what these people are taking advantage of when they pay for another kid to play at SkyZone at the same time as your party.

Thanks for finally admitting what most of see. We know that the part crashers do this.

I’m in the process of planning parties for 3 kids in the next month.

Party venues often don’t allow outside food and they give a certain amount of pizza for the party guests. If there are extra people, there won’t be enough food or drinks.

I remember when we were first going to parties, I wondered why parents were so cheap and did not even have drinks for parents. I remember leaving a party hungry and thirsty and thought parents were so rude. Now I get it.

I booked a party for my child and the party includes 4 pizzas. They clearly say we cannot bring any outside food or drinks.

And? You are not limited to those 4 pizzas. You can purchase additional pizza and drinks outside of what is in the party package.

Not always.

Really? You’ve asked to purchase an additional pizza (in advance, not day of) and someone told you no?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 3 kids. For my 2 older kids, we had small parties and not one person brought a sibling. Some dropped off. Many stayed.

I’m having an all class party for my kindergarten child at a public place. I would rather you not come than bring a sibling. I have a space problem as is. Unless you are a close friend, I don’t want your toddler.

If you’re in a public place, what are you going to do with all the randos who also happen to be in your public space that day? I don’t understand what sort of space issue you are concerned about in a public venue (unless you paid to rent the whole place in which case it’s no longer open to the public). Presumably you are paying for X number of kids and have a party room for pizza/cake for X number of kids. If Y kids show up and don’t eat your food or otherwise require you to pay for them or count toward your package total, then you don’t need to worry about those Y number of kids whether they are a sibling or not.

I’ve never brought an uninvited sibling to a party before (aside from a non mobile infant in carrier back in the day). But I don’t see why anyone would care if a sibling happens to be in the same venue, but kept separate from the party. Please explain why you give a crap if a toddler runs around a public play place that happens to be related to one of your party guests?

I swear some of you just make up stuff to get upset about.

Because they don't stay away from the party. The play part is about 75 minutes then they are in the private party space for the last 45. Who comes wandering in looking for food and favors? The uninvited siblings. Because mom is there to watch her kid and she can't do it when she's not in the party room. I swear some of you have never been to a kid party if you've never seen this. I've never seen the parent insist on staying and then pretending to be in the public area out of sight the entire time. Why stay at all then? The whole reason OP said she needs to stay is because she doesn't want to just drop off.

NP. I never bring uninvited siblings and YES, it's irritable when people do without asking, I get it. If it's a space issue you need to be upfront on the invitation- "unfortunately we cannot accommodate siblings." I don't get the handwringing over food and goody bags though. If you have siblings show up that weren't accounted for in the RSVP, just don't hand them a goody bag. If they ask say sorry, we only have enough for the number of kids on the RSVP. And frankly what I'd put in bags for a 6yo may not be appropriate for a toddler anyway. But I always seem to have extra cupcakes and pizza after these things because I typically account for parents when I order and then half of them don't eat anything. So I'd be happy to have someone take more food so I don't have to bring home.

People don’t care about no siblings on an invite. Otherwise we wouldn’t have tons of posts on this common phenomenon. I find disingenuous the people acting like this never happens or that parents don’t take advantage.

Take advantage of what? A cupcake from the grocery store? A bag of cheap favors from Party City? Please let us know what these people are taking advantage of when they pay for another kid to play at SkyZone at the same time as your party.

Thanks for finally admitting what most of see. We know that the part crashers do this.

I’m in the process of planning parties for 3 kids in the next month.

Party venues often don’t allow outside food and they give a certain amount of pizza for the party guests. If there are extra people, there won’t be enough food or drinks.

I remember when we were first going to parties, I wondered why parents were so cheap and did not even have drinks for parents. I remember leaving a party hungry and thirsty and thought parents were so rude. Now I get it.

I booked a party for my child and the party includes 4 pizzas. They clearly say we cannot bring any outside food or drinks.

And? You are not limited to those 4 pizzas. You can purchase additional pizza and drinks outside of what is in the party package.

Not always.

Really? You’ve asked to purchase an additional pizza (in advance, not day of) and someone told you no?

DP but how would you know in advance that you needed to buy extra pizza for uninvited/surprise guests?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 3 kids. For my 2 older kids, we had small parties and not one person brought a sibling. Some dropped off. Many stayed.

I’m having an all class party for my kindergarten child at a public place. I would rather you not come than bring a sibling. I have a space problem as is. Unless you are a close friend, I don’t want your toddler.

If you’re in a public place, what are you going to do with all the randos who also happen to be in your public space that day? I don’t understand what sort of space issue you are concerned about in a public venue (unless you paid to rent the whole place in which case it’s no longer open to the public). Presumably you are paying for X number of kids and have a party room for pizza/cake for X number of kids. If Y kids show up and don’t eat your food or otherwise require you to pay for them or count toward your package total, then you don’t need to worry about those Y number of kids whether they are a sibling or not.

I’ve never brought an uninvited sibling to a party before (aside from a non mobile infant in carrier back in the day). But I don’t see why anyone would care if a sibling happens to be in the same venue, but kept separate from the party. Please explain why you give a crap if a toddler runs around a public play place that happens to be related to one of your party guests?

I swear some of you just make up stuff to get upset about.

Because they don't stay away from the party. The play part is about 75 minutes then they are in the private party space for the last 45. Who comes wandering in looking for food and favors? The uninvited siblings. Because mom is there to watch her kid and she can't do it when she's not in the party room. I swear some of you have never been to a kid party if you've never seen this. I've never seen the parent insist on staying and then pretending to be in the public area out of sight the entire time. Why stay at all then? The whole reason OP said she needs to stay is because she doesn't want to just drop off.

NP. I never bring uninvited siblings and YES, it's irritable when people do without asking, I get it. If it's a space issue you need to be upfront on the invitation- "unfortunately we cannot accommodate siblings." I don't get the handwringing over food and goody bags though. If you have siblings show up that weren't accounted for in the RSVP, just don't hand them a goody bag. If they ask say sorry, we only have enough for the number of kids on the RSVP. And frankly what I'd put in bags for a 6yo may not be appropriate for a toddler anyway. But I always seem to have extra cupcakes and pizza after these things because I typically account for parents when I order and then half of them don't eat anything. So I'd be happy to have someone take more food so I don't have to bring home.

People don’t care about no siblings on an invite. Otherwise we wouldn’t have tons of posts on this common phenomenon. I find disingenuous the people acting like this never happens or that parents don’t take advantage.

Take advantage of what? A cupcake from the grocery store? A bag of cheap favors from Party City? Please let us know what these people are taking advantage of when they pay for another kid to play at SkyZone at the same time as your party.

Thanks for finally admitting what most of see. We know that the part crashers do this.

I’m in the process of planning parties for 3 kids in the next month.

Party venues often don’t allow outside food and they give a certain amount of pizza for the party guests. If there are extra people, there won’t be enough food or drinks.

I remember when we were first going to parties, I wondered why parents were so cheap and did not even have drinks for parents. I remember leaving a party hungry and thirsty and thought parents were so rude. Now I get it.

I booked a party for my child and the party includes 4 pizzas. They clearly say we cannot bring any outside food or drinks.

And? You are not limited to those 4 pizzas. You can purchase additional pizza and drinks outside of what is in the party package.

Not always.

Really? You’ve asked to purchase an additional pizza (in advance, not day of) and someone told you no?

DP but how would you know in advance that you needed to buy extra pizza for uninvited/surprise guests?

Exactly. They confirm with you before the party starts. How do you know the uninvited siblings are showing up until they're already there? It's not like you didn't know you weren't going to bring the sibling. You could just have RSVPd the correct number too instead of letting the host guesstimate how many were coming. Your inability to plan ahead is what caused the problem in the first place, don't blame the pizza orderer.

[Anonymous]

As a Middle Eastern person (and, for the record, the parent of an only child), I am physically incapable of not being a generous host and overdoing it with the food. My child has a diverse circle of friends and classmates — many have parents that work part of the weekend, are raised by single parents, have parents with limited English, live in multi-generation households, etc. — and it’s important to me to make it as comfortable as possible for all to attend and feel welcomed.

With that little rant over, I think it’s totally fine for OP to do as she proposed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a Middle Eastern person (and, for the record, the parent of an only child), I am physically incapable of not being a generous host and overdoing it with the food. My child has a diverse circle of friends and classmates — many have parents that work part of the weekend, are raised by single parents, have parents with limited English, live in multi-generation households, etc. — and it’s important to me to make it as comfortable as possible for all to attend and feel welcomed.

With that little rant over, I think it’s totally fine for OP to do as she proposed.

I don’t think this is a cultural thing. This is a space and party venue problem.

When my kids were younger, I hosted family parties and I wanted to get to know families and I wanted the entire family to come. I have 3 children. I have hosted countless parties. After age 7, the parties are about the kids. The parents and other family members are not invited.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a Middle Eastern person (and, for the record, the parent of an only child), I am physically incapable of not being a generous host and overdoing it with the food. My child has a diverse circle of friends and classmates — many have parents that work part of the weekend, are raised by single parents, have parents with limited English, live in multi-generation households, etc. — and it’s important to me to make it as comfortable as possible for all to attend and feel welcomed.

With that little rant over, I think it’s totally fine for OP to do as she proposed.

Sure you could order 25 pizzas but most people aren't really dying to eat indoor play place pizza so you can't really "over do it" when you're limited to what you can actually serve. No outside food is permitted. That said you try to get the approximate number of pizzas which is why you send out invites to ask who is coming. If having a party with everyone and their grandmother is important to you, don't do it at Sky Zone, because it's not equipped for that unless you're renting the entire venue out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a Middle Eastern person (and, for the record, the parent of an only child), I am physically incapable of not being a generous host and overdoing it with the food. My child has a diverse circle of friends and classmates — many have parents that work part of the weekend, are raised by single parents, have parents with limited English, live in multi-generation households, etc. — and it’s important to me to make it as comfortable as possible for all to attend and feel welcomed.

With that little rant over, I think it’s totally fine for OP to do as she proposed.

Sure you could order 25 pizzas but most people aren't really dying to eat indoor play place pizza so you can't really "over do it" when you're limited to what you can actually serve. No outside food is permitted. That said you try to get the approximate number of pizzas which is why you send out invites to ask who is coming. If having a party with everyone and their grandmother is important to you, don't do it at Sky Zone, because it's not equipped for that unless you're renting the entire venue out.

Where will all these extra people go? Party rooms are always capped because there is limited seating.

I’m struggling with my guest list because party room is 24 people max.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a Middle Eastern person (and, for the record, the parent of an only child), I am physically incapable of not being a generous host and overdoing it with the food. My child has a diverse circle of friends and classmates — many have parents that work part of the weekend, are raised by single parents, have parents with limited English, live in multi-generation households, etc. — and it’s important to me to make it as comfortable as possible for all to attend and feel welcomed.

With that little rant over, I think it’s totally fine for OP to do as she proposed.

Sure you could order 25 pizzas but most people aren't really dying to eat indoor play place pizza so you can't really "over do it" when you're limited to what you can actually serve. No outside food is permitted. That said you try to get the approximate number of pizzas which is why you send out invites to ask who is coming. If having a party with everyone and their grandmother is important to you, don't do it at Sky Zone, because it's not equipped for that unless you're renting the entire venue out.

Where will all these extra people go? Party rooms are always capped because there is limited seating.

I’m struggling with my guest list because party room is 24 people max.

1) 24 kids, or 24 people total including kids and adults? If the former, you can go slightly over 24 on invite list but dont overdo it

2) include on the invite, “sorry we can’t accommodate siblings” or “the invitation is for one child plus one accompanying adult”

3) if someone rsvps for multiple kids, message them and say they can’t be accommodated

4). For the love of god, just buy an extra pizza. Mainly because the last thing you want is famished 6yos because you only accounted for one slice per kid. You might get one or two hitchhikers on the day of but if you take the first steps and follow up if needed you’re not going to end up with 10 extra surprise kids or anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a Middle Eastern person (and, for the record, the parent of an only child), I am physically incapable of not being a generous host and overdoing it with the food. My child has a diverse circle of friends and classmates — many have parents that work part of the weekend, are raised by single parents, have parents with limited English, live in multi-generation households, etc. — and it’s important to me to make it as comfortable as possible for all to attend and feel welcomed.

With that little rant over, I think it’s totally fine for OP to do as she proposed.

Sure you could order 25 pizzas but most people aren't really dying to eat indoor play place pizza so you can't really "over do it" when you're limited to what you can actually serve. No outside food is permitted. That said you try to get the approximate number of pizzas which is why you send out invites to ask who is coming. If having a party with everyone and their grandmother is important to you, don't do it at Sky Zone, because it's not equipped for that unless you're renting the entire venue out.

Where will all these extra people go? Party rooms are always capped because there is limited seating.

I’m struggling with my guest list because party room is 24 people max.

1) 24 kids, or 24 people total including kids and adults? If the former, you can go slightly over 24 on invite list but dont overdo it

2) include on the invite, “sorry we can’t accommodate siblings” or “the invitation is for one child plus one accompanying adult”

3) if someone rsvps for multiple kids, message them and say they can’t be accommodated

4). For the love of god, just buy an extra pizza. Mainly because the last thing you want is famished 6yos because you only accounted for one slice per kid. You might get one or two hitchhikers on the day of but if you take the first steps and follow up if needed you’re not going to end up with 10 extra surprise kids or anything.

Pp here. I haven’t had to deal with this for a few years since Covid. We had small outdoor or home parties. Of course then I always had extra food. I always order too much food.

I am planning 2 of these larger parties at venues where you can’t bring your own food. I plan to feed everyone for my kindergartner party but not for my 10 year old. 10yo party will be drop off.

[Anonymous]

They will either be able to tell you are there, or they will not because you are keeping the toddler completely separate.

If they can't tell you are there, no need to tell them anything. If they can, don't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a Middle Eastern person (and, for the record, the parent of an only child), I am physically incapable of not being a generous host and overdoing it with the food. My child has a diverse circle of friends and classmates — many have parents that work part of the weekend, are raised by single parents, have parents with limited English, live in multi-generation households, etc. — and it’s important to me to make it as comfortable as possible for all to attend and feel welcomed.

With that little rant over, I think it’s totally fine for OP to do as she proposed.

Sure you could order 25 pizzas but most people aren't really dying to eat indoor play place pizza so you can't really "over do it" when you're limited to what you can actually serve. No outside food is permitted. That said you try to get the approximate number of pizzas which is why you send out invites to ask who is coming. If having a party with everyone and their grandmother is important to you, don't do it at Sky Zone, because it's not equipped for that unless you're renting the entire venue out.

Where will all these extra people go? Party rooms are always capped because there is limited seating.

I’m struggling with my guest list because party room is 24 people max.

1) 24 kids, or 24 people total including kids and adults? If the former, you can go slightly over 24 on invite list but dont overdo it

2) include on the invite, “sorry we can’t accommodate siblings” or “the invitation is for one child plus one accompanying adult”

3) if someone rsvps for multiple kids, message them and say they can’t be accommodated

4). For the love of god, just buy an extra pizza. Mainly because the last thing you want is famished 6yos because you only accounted for one slice per kid. You might get one or two hitchhikers on the day of but if you take the first steps and follow up if needed you’re not going to end up with 10 extra surprise kids or anything.

I have seen party rooms for 24 people only. No extra seating. I have also seen party rooms where there are 24 seats for kids and then benches along walls for adults.