Can you get a larger party space? Seems rude not to allow families.

Here's how I would word it:

"Due to [Venue's] rules, only 19 guests can attend, so this is a drop-off party."

People should not be offended about siblings, but some will. This makes it crystal clear that no extra people can attend, and it's not your choice

Not rude at all. Being clear is the best option! And no it’s not sad that we don’t have to accommodate every sibling to have a birthday party. You can do it your way, but it’s not sad to do what OP is doing.

Looks fine to me. We're an only child family who typically is totally fine with siblings and that's what we say when we need to

Anonymous wrote:DDs birthday party will be held at a venue that can accommodate 20 kids in the party space and we plan to invite her class of 19 kids. Kids will have cake/lunch in a life size play house and then explore an outdoor play space. The venue needs a final head count ahead of time. Its fairly usually to say "siblings welcome" on party invites, but in this case I have the opposite situation. To avoid problems on the day I was thinking of including text that we wont have space for siblings but it feels rude. Thoughts of text below:

"Join us at [venue name] to celebrate Larla's birthday! 1-2 sentences about the party. Due to the size of the party space we are unable to accommodate siblings."

Perfect!

As a parent of three really close in age, I really appreciate this clarity. I am of course totally fine with siblings not being included, even if it’s not a drop off party. I don’t ever want to be rude, either. But many parties are very welcoming to siblings which we always appreciate as well. Often invites are clear (they say “the smith family” vs “Larlo smith”) but often they’re not, and there’s definitely been at least one where I wasn’t sure, and so didn’t bring the other kids, and then had the host seem surprised when my kid was the only one “oh, Larla couldn’t come?” And there are other siblings there.

I think your wording is great!

Anonymous wrote:I would never say that, it's so incredibly rude. Parents should ask. If they bring a sibling and you haven't explicitly stated that siblings are welcome, you just say something like "Oh, if you'd like to come back at 1:30, Janie and Jackson can join us for cake then"

Why is it rude to say you can only accommodate invited guests? Not for cake, not for playtime, not at all?

I think it’s fine to say “ no siblings please”
Having said that I would also say it’s a drop off party assumimg the kids are old enough.

I would text but also text an Evite link with the details and you can take rsvps and Evite will allow people to auto add to calendar. Then they don’t have to go find a text for the details the day of.

NP. I disagree that it's rude. I think it's polite to clarify - then no one is left feeling embarrassed.

I would never say that, it's so incredibly rude. Parents should ask. If they bring a sibling and you haven't explicitly stated that siblings are welcome, you just say something like "Oh, if you'd like to come back at 1:30, Janie and Jackson can join us for cake then"

Totally fine and have seen similar note on many invitations.

It SHOULD be obvious to most people (only the child on the invitation is invited, unless stated otherwise) but some people are clueless.

Seems reasonable to me

Anonymous wrote:DDs birthday party will be held at a venue that can accommodate 20 kids in the party space and we plan to invite her class of 19 kids. Kids will have cake/lunch in a life size play house and then explore an outdoor play space. The venue needs a final head count ahead of time. Its fairly usually to say "siblings welcome" on party invites, but in this case I have the opposite situation. To avoid problems on the day I was thinking of including text that we wont have space for siblings but it feels rude. Thoughts of text below:

"Join us at [venue name] to celebrate Larla's birthday! 1-2 sentences about the party. Due to the size of the party space we are unable to accommodate siblings."

It's fine but also sad for society you have to say this

DDs birthday party will be held at a venue that can accommodate 20 kids in the party space and we plan to invite her class of 19 kids. Kids will have cake/lunch in a life size play house and then explore an outdoor play space. The venue needs a final head count ahead of time. Its fairly usually to say "siblings welcome" on party invites, but in this case I have the opposite situation. To avoid problems on the day I was thinking of including text that we wont have space for siblings but it feels rude. Thoughts of text below:

"Join us at [venue name] to celebrate Larla's birthday! 1-2 sentences about the party. Due to the size of the party space we are unable to accommodate siblings."