Anonymous
03/09/2026 15:01
Subject: How would you handle parent dropping child off with younger sibling at play place?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Are you meeting other moms too? Not really relevant, just curious.
Yes, other parents will be there.
We had a birthday party a few weeks ago and so many people brought siblings. It was a large public venue and we just received a larger bill for the extra people. I wonder if people realize siblings are not invited!!!
Or if they do come, you should stay with your child.
They don’t care and they rationalize it as “they can afford it”. Been there done that
You should invite siblings as what are they supposed to do with their other kids.
They’re supposed to parent them? Stay with them to supervise? Find child care if they want to stay with their invited kid? Pretty much do what every other parent does when one kid gets invited to something.
Not the hosts or other attendees issue to worry about.
Anonymous
03/09/2026 14:57
Subject: How would you handle parent dropping child off with younger sibling at play place?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Are you meeting other moms too? Not really relevant, just curious.
Yes, other parents will be there.
We had a birthday party a few weeks ago and so many people brought siblings. It was a large public venue and we just received a larger bill for the extra people. I wonder if people realize siblings are not invited!!!
Or if they do come, you should stay with your child.
They don’t care and they rationalize it as “they can afford it”. Been there done that
You should invite siblings as what are they supposed to do with their other kids.
Op here. Bringing a sibling is absolutely fine if parent is coming and paying for and watching siblings. It is not fine to drop off siblings.
I am fine taking friends of my kids. They play together. I carpool as I have 3 kids. I do not want to watch a kid who is 3-4 years younger than my child.
Anonymous
03/09/2026 13:15
Subject: How would you handle parent dropping child off with younger sibling at play place?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:“I apologize if I miscommunicated. I am happy to supervise Billy but I can’t handle Jimmy too by myself. Please stay with us or take Jimmy with you.”
I sent this exact text once AFTER the surprise drop off and got the response of a shrug emoji. Then her husband came to pick up when it was done.
I heard later that she thought I was being “snobby” to “exclude her other son”.
Wow this is wild. Is she this inappropriate all the time? I would have been tempted to call the police non-emergency line to report an abandoned child (not that I actually would, but that is basically what she did since she had no consented upon supervision of her child).
What did others say when she called you snobby?
Anonymous
03/09/2026 13:09
Subject: How would you handle parent dropping child off with younger sibling at play place?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Are you meeting other moms too? Not really relevant, just curious.
Yes, other parents will be there.
We had a birthday party a few weeks ago and so many people brought siblings. It was a large public venue and we just received a larger bill for the extra people. I wonder if people realize siblings are not invited!!!
Or if they do come, you should stay with your child.
They don’t care and they rationalize it as “they can afford it”. Been there done that
You should invite siblings as what are they supposed to do with their other kids.
Umm watch them the same way they’d be responsible for them during that time period of the meetup wasn’t happening.
Anonymous
03/09/2026 13:00
Subject: How would you handle parent dropping child off with younger sibling at play place?
People are so bold. You are not a babysitter!
Anonymous
03/09/2026 13:00
Subject: How would you handle parent dropping child off with younger sibling at play place?
Anonymous wrote:OP hasn’t been back, so maybe a troll!
This. You can't just "drop a kid off". They need to pay, have a signed waiver, etc. They won't just let an unaccompanied kid in who hasn't paid, didn't get a wrist band etc. This doesn't sound like a party either, just a meet up.
Anonymous
03/09/2026 12:58
Subject: Re:How would you handle parent dropping child off with younger sibling at play place?
Anonymous wrote:I had a mom bring a younger sibling even though I told her it’s a no-sibling birthday party when she emailed to ask. She said they were just going to watch, then insisted the sibling join the activity after 10 min. The party was single gender from the same grade, and this sibling was opposite gender and 4-5 years younger. The mom is so clueless and insufferable.
That’s super annoying and insanely rude. People should push back and say “We’ve found from experience that that never works, and the younger sibling always wants to participate. So, sorry, but no siblings.”
Anonymous
03/09/2026 12:42
Subject: Re:How would you handle parent dropping child off with younger sibling at play place?
Anonymous wrote:I don't handle it. I stopped handling it after a few times.
If Parents wanted to bring their kid to my house for a play date? Great. They could visit with me while the kids play. I would even provide them with a meal and snacks but I stopped taking responsibility for other people's kids at my house. I also did not do drop-off parties. Parents were expected to attend with their kids and look after them.
Why? Because when I did it a few times - I experienced extremely ill-mannered kids, moms who took off for the whole day when they had promised to be away for 1/2 an hour and finally I was left with kids who were contagious or dirty.
So, do in Rome what Romans do. If you are an immigrant and generally were used to better raised kids and responsible parents in your country of origin, do not expect the same from majority culture here.
Protect your own kid and keep them under your supervision and do not over-extend yourself offering hospitality or playdates. Let the parent also accompany the kid(s), and as soon as the kids start to whine or complain or not play nicely, usher the mom and kid out and end the play date. My go to was "Oh, it seems that the kids are over stimulated and now they are getting cranky, so we will end the playdate now. Say goodbye to your friend, Larlo, and thank him for playing with you. Lets do this again very soon, ok? This was so much fun. "
Way to bury your insult to Americans. Also totally and completely incorrect regarding behavior.
Anonymous
03/09/2026 12:33
Subject: How would you handle parent dropping child off with younger sibling at play place?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Are you meeting other moms too? Not really relevant, just curious.
Yes, other parents will be there.
We had a birthday party a few weeks ago and so many people brought siblings. It was a large public venue and we just received a larger bill for the extra people. I wonder if people realize siblings are not invited!!!
Or if they do come, you should stay with your child.
They don’t care and they rationalize it as “they can afford it”. Been there done that
You should invite siblings as what are they supposed to do with their other kids.
You're pathetic
How, I am a mom with one child, so its a non-issue for me. To parties I always invited siblings. Only one took advantage and brought friends and cousines too and no gift. The next year I didn't invite them and they showed up anyway.
Anonymous
03/09/2026 12:31
Subject: How would you handle parent dropping child off with younger sibling at play place?
Anonymous wrote:It’s definitely rude but if you insist upon dropping off the sibling, give the host $50 for the extra child. If you stay to supervise, check with staff and verify that your presence isn’t added to the host’s bill. If they charge by the person give the host $100.
If its open to the public, you pay admission.
Anonymous
03/09/2026 12:27
Subject: How would you handle parent dropping child off with younger sibling at play place?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Are you meeting other moms too? Not really relevant, just curious.
Yes, other parents will be there.
We had a birthday party a few weeks ago and so many people brought siblings. It was a large public venue and we just received a larger bill for the extra people. I wonder if people realize siblings are not invited!!!
Or if they do come, you should stay with your child.
They don’t care and they rationalize it as “they can afford it”. Been there done that
You should invite siblings as what are they supposed to do with their other kids.
You're pathetic
Anonymous
03/08/2026 21:40
Subject: Re:How would you handle parent dropping child off with younger sibling at play place?
I had a mom bring a younger sibling even though I told her it’s a no-sibling birthday party when she emailed to ask. She said they were just going to watch, then insisted the sibling join the activity after 10 min. The party was single gender from the same grade, and this sibling was opposite gender and 4-5 years younger. The mom is so clueless and insufferable.
Anonymous
03/08/2026 20:46
Subject: Re:How would you handle parent dropping child off with younger sibling at play place?
Sorry, I think you misunderstood. This is not a drop off, all the parents will be staying to supervise their own kids.
Anonymous
03/07/2026 21:54
Subject: How would you handle parent dropping child off with younger sibling at play place?
Anonymous wrote:OP hasn’t been back, so maybe a troll!
Not a troll. I told the mom I couldn’t be responsible for the sibling so she asked another parent to keep an eye on her kid. I was a few minutes late so she asked another person. When the mom was leaving, she couldn’t even find the younger kid. I saw the other parent and her looking for her and I just chatted with some other parents. I actually never saw the younger sibling the entire time. Thank goodness I didn’t agree to watch her.
Anonymous
03/07/2026 21:26
Subject: Re:How would you handle parent dropping child off with younger sibling at play place?
I don't handle it. I stopped handling it after a few times.
If Parents wanted to bring their kid to my house for a play date? Great. They could visit with me while the kids play. I would even provide them with a meal and snacks but I stopped taking responsibility for other people's kids at my house. I also did not do drop-off parties. Parents were expected to attend with their kids and look after them.
Why? Because when I did it a few times - I experienced extremely ill-mannered kids, moms who took off for the whole day when they had promised to be away for 1/2 an hour and finally I was left with kids who were contagious or dirty.
So, do in Rome what Romans do. If you are an immigrant and generally were used to better raised kids and responsible parents in your country of origin, do not expect the same from majority culture here.
Protect your own kid and keep them under your supervision and do not over-extend yourself offering hospitality or playdates. Let the parent also accompany the kid(s), and as soon as the kids start to whine or complain or not play nicely, usher the mom and kid out and end the play date. My go to was "Oh, it seems that the kids are over stimulated and now they are getting cranky, so we will end the playdate now. Say goodbye to your friend, Larlo, and thank him for playing with you. Lets do this again very soon, ok? This was so much fun. "
If Parents wanted to bring their kid to my house for a play date? Great. They could visit with me while the kids play. I would even provide them with a meal and snacks but I stopped taking responsibility for other people's kids at my house. I also did not do drop-off parties. Parents were expected to attend with their kids and look after them.
Why? Because when I did it a few times - I experienced extremely ill-mannered kids, moms who took off for the whole day when they had promised to be away for 1/2 an hour and finally I was left with kids who were contagious or dirty.
So, do in Rome what Romans do. If you are an immigrant and generally were used to better raised kids and responsible parents in your country of origin, do not expect the same from majority culture here.
Protect your own kid and keep them under your supervision and do not over-extend yourself offering hospitality or playdates. Let the parent also accompany the kid(s), and as soon as the kids start to whine or complain or not play nicely, usher the mom and kid out and end the play date. My go to was "Oh, it seems that the kids are over stimulated and now they are getting cranky, so we will end the playdate now. Say goodbye to your friend, Larlo, and thank him for playing with you. Lets do this again very soon, ok? This was so much fun. "