Would you bring your young children to a work party?

[Anonymous]

Get a sitter & go with spouse only. I usually assume "bring family" to a work event doesn't really mean "bring the WHOLE family," unless you know for sure. Like you know they planned some child-centered activity.

[Anonymous]

Get a sitter or bring a sitter.

I once attended a bring your family event at my boss's house. Boss has an infant and my kids were 4yo and 6yo. They had their nanny. Nanny fed their baby fruit and would not give my kids any. Worst party ever. No toys. Nothing for kids. We left early.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd bring my kids who are 2.5 and 4, but it'd because they shine in public and save their tantrums for home. I wouldn't stay more than two hours.

I'd hesitate to make a sweeping generalization about saving bad behavior for home.

It only takes one time . . .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A colleague invited everyone in our office to a holiday party at his home. The party says to bring your family. I have 3 young kids-ages 9,7 and 5. They are generally well behaved, but at this age, you never know when you are going to have a meltdown, etc. I just started working at this firm six months ago and am still trying to make a good impression. Almost everyone else (including the hosts) are 10-20 years older than me with grown children...so there won't be a lot of young kids there. I should decline, right?

You're worried about meltdowns with kids that old?

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry, but I'm stuck on your statement that your 9, 7 and 5 year olds are still having meltdowns at gatherings?
At an afternoon get together for an hour or so you are worried they could have a meltdown?
If you have behavior issues of that level I would definitely not go at all with the kids.
Maybe the 9 year old would be able to behave for an hour and you could bring that child.

[Anonymous]

^^i guess we posted at the same time!

[Anonymous]

OP I have to do this a fair amount at work (and it really is expected that the kids show up). Our strategy is for DH to be on 'kids duty' while I circulate, say hi, network etc as much as possible in as short a time as possible. Then we leave early and go do something fun.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I would bring my kids (and do bring my kids to work events where families are invited.) My kids are about your kids ages and a few of my co-workers have kids that are slightly older and younger so they play a bit with them. If there aren't any kids, I let them play their iPods while DH and I mingle for a bit and then we leave.

[Anonymous]

I would find someone to watch your 5 yo and bring the two older ones who might be able to behave and entertain each other with your husband supervising them.