Laser tag party says no siblings. Can I just pay for my other child?

[Anonymous]

I can not believe how many people are outraged that someone would bring their other child to a party (1) in a public space with other non-party paying customers on site (not a private party space); (2) pay for their child separately; and (3) stay to occupy/entertain their child independent of the party.

Seriously, some of you on DCUM absolutely amaze me sometimes.

I can't believe there are that many people IRL who would be outraged by this. Parents have done this many times over the years at my kids' birthday parties. It's completely not a problem for us. If there's extra pizza and cake, we invite them to join us. If there's not, we don't. Either way, we're 100% completely not offended.

So I guess the thing to do, OP, would be to email the parent to ask. Be clear that you'll be paying, steering clear of the party (playtime and food), and staying on site to supervise/play with your other child. This way you're being completely up front and can decide based on what the host says in response.

GL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can not believe how many people are outraged that someone would bring their other child to a party (1) in a public space with other non-party paying customers on site (not a private party space); (2) pay for their child separately; and (3) stay to occupy/entertain their child independent of the party.

Seriously, some of you on DCUM absolutely amaze me sometimes.

I can't believe there are that many people IRL who would be outraged by this. Parents have done this many times over the years at my kids' birthday parties. It's completely not a problem for us. If there's extra pizza and cake, we invite them to join us. If there's not, we don't. Either way, we're 100% completely not offended.

So I guess the thing to do, OP, would be to email the parent to ask. Be clear that you'll be paying, steering clear of the party (playtime and food), and staying on site to supervise/play with your other child. This way you're being completely up front and can decide based on what the host says in response.

GL.

As another voice of sanity, I totally agree with this up to the last paragraph. There's nothing to be gained from emailing them. Either they will take your question at face value, in which case you are either asking a really dumb question or implying you are worried they are slightly crazy. Or, they will see it as fishing for an invitation and feel put on the spot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can not believe how many people are outraged that someone would bring their other child to a party (1) in a public space with other non-party paying customers on site (not a private party space); (2) pay for their child separately; and (3) stay to occupy/entertain their child independent of the party.

Seriously, some of you on DCUM absolutely amaze me sometimes.

I can't believe there are that many people IRL who would be outraged by this. Parents have done this many times over the years at my kids' birthday parties. It's completely not a problem for us. If there's extra pizza and cake, we invite them to join us. If there's not, we don't. Either way, we're 100% completely not offended.

So I guess the thing to do, OP, would be to email the parent to ask. Be clear that you'll be paying, steering clear of the party (playtime and food), and staying on site to supervise/play with your other child. This way you're being completely up front and can decide based on what the host says in response.

GL.

As another voice of sanity, I totally agree with this up to the last paragraph. There's nothing to be gained from emailing them. Either they will take your question at face value, in which case you are either asking a really dumb question or implying you are worried they are slightly crazy. Or, they will see it as fishing for an invitation and feel put on the spot.

I'm the PP. You know what? You're right. Strike that last paragraph!

I was trying to split the difference and maybe find a way to be extra considerate to the crazies. But I can see how that would backfire for crazy and non-crazy parents alike.

[Anonymous]

Life's too short to peel a mushroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's open to the public! Why would this be a problem? At the one in Gaithersburg, there are 3 huge parties, plus the public, playing all at once. How would 2 people among all the hordes in the room matter at all to the party thrower/birthday child?

Because the person throwing the party will feel responsible for taking care of the sib. Laser tag is open every day so why did you pick this one to dump your kid on someone else's party? Because you want the parents to supervise your DC ...

No. Because it is a PITA to figure out another way to entertain a kid for 90 mins. As long as dad watches his own kid, I think it is fine.

No it isn't a PITA to figure out a way to entertain a kid for 90min. It is called bad and lazy parenting.

Crazy pants. It is not bad and lazy parenting. You are just weird.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is bizarre! It's a public space! Of course your Dh can stay there with the younger child. The no siblings applies to the party. It's not a restraining order!

Don't even mention it to the host. That could look like fishing for an invite.

+1000

I mean, the place sells food so DH and younger DS can buy their own food. And if it was my party, there'd be plenty of cake and pizza and if I saw you guys hanging out I'd totally offer you some because I'm like that.

IMHO, you grumpy hosts really should just not have parties.

+1. Op, I don't see any issue with dh and dd hanging around there. They are not joining the party, so they'll be fine. it's not like they are coming to hang around her living room.

[Anonymous]

OP here. DH wants to decline. My child already told the birthday child he is going. Since invitation clearly states no siblings, we are just going to decline. We don't know the family very well and my child is not good friends with birthday child either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. DH wants to decline. My child already told the birthday child he is going. Since invitation clearly states no siblings, we are just going to decline. We don't know the family very well and my child is not good friends with birthday child either.

Declining b/c of no siblings? Your DH can't entertain or hang out with your other kid for an hour or two? Really?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. DH wants to decline. My child already told the birthday child he is going. Since invitation clearly states no siblings, we are just going to decline. We don't know the family very well and my child is not good friends with birthday child either.

Your husband as lazy as fuck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please for goodness sake just don't bring the sibling.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. DH wants to decline. My child already told the birthday child he is going. Since invitation clearly states no siblings, we are just going to decline. We don't know the family very well and my child is not good friends with birthday child either.

Declining b/c of no siblings? Your DH can't entertain or hang out with your other kid for an hour or two? Really? [/quote/]
People here are so entitled. DS needs to drop this invited kid off and take the opportunity to do something fun with the other child.
It is not rocket science.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. DH wants to decline. My child already told the birthday child he is going. Since invitation clearly states no siblings, we are just going to decline. We don't know the family very well and my child is not good friends with birthday child either.

This is obviously a troll. Ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. DH wants to decline. My child already told the birthday child he is going. Since invitation clearly states no siblings, we are just going to decline. We don't know the family very well and my child is not good friends with birthday child either.

Declining b/c of no siblings? Your DH can't entertain or hang out with your other kid for an hour or two? Really?

+1. How old is younger DS? Google the nearest playground, the nearest Chik Fil A, whatever. Drop older DS off, head to the park and then to lunch or to buy an ice cream cone. Head back to the laser tag place and play two or three arcade games until the party is over. Older DS has fun. Younger DS has a super fun afternoon with dad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. DH wants to decline. My child already told the birthday child he is going. Since invitation clearly states no siblings, we are just going to decline. We don't know the family very well and my child is not good friends with birthday child either.

So you guys aren't letting one kid go because the two of you combined are too stupid to occupy the other one for 2 hours? LOLZ

[Anonymous]

OP here. DH wants to decline. My child already told the birthday child he is going. Since invitation clearly states no siblings, we are just going to decline. We don't know the family very well and my child is not good friends with birthday child either.

Well definitely not the choice I'd make, but since your DH is the one who would be watching the kids, I guess that's that.