Anonymous wrote:I didn't read all 6 pages of responses on here but I am in the same situation. My DS is turning 4 and I did an evite and addressed it to the child's name in his class. So far two parents (whom I have never met) rsvp'ed that they are bringing a second child. One wrote in the comments, "I will be bringing Larla, Jojo's sister" and the other just had a count for 2 children and no comment. Honestly, I would be annoyed but would accommodate them if they sent me an email explaining the situation, "thank you for inviting my DS. He has a twin brother whom I would like to bring...or...I'm a single parent and would have to bring my other child...." Whatever the reason, isn't common sense and politeness to reach out to the host and communicate rather than assume?!? I am really appalled by the lack of respect for the person hosting.

No polite is emailing or calling prior to RSVPing and saying, would you mind if I brought my child's twin or sibling because of x, y or z. You don't RSVP assuming it is ok regardless of the situation. We picked a place to allow for siblings and lots of parents, grandparents and more depending on the child's situation knowing the kids in my child's class. But, we had that specifically on the invitation.

OP here. I reached out to the classmates who RSVPd and told them we could not accommodate siblings due to space. I am down to 17 RSVPs with 2 maybes and 6 not yet responded. Looks like we will be ok.

We have an only who is now 7. The last class party we had was for 4th bday and we had same issue. Gymnastics party. Having 3yos and 8yos at a 4yo's party changes the dynamics. Older sibs can be dominating and suddenly the bday kid isn't feeling so special. I don't get why some parents think all of their kids need to do the same thing -- parties, play dates, lessons, etc. "Oh my little Jimmy 2yo will cry if he's excluded" -- but your 2yo won't remember the next day!! IMO it is the parents that don't want to deal with their kid crying --- at the expense of both the invited kid and the host family. I have siblings myself and we are very close, but having alone time with my parent was so special. And in same vein, not having to be overshadowed by your older siblings or tripping over your younger siblings is a good thing. And, like a PP said, if you have an 8yo you should be well aware of just how much a bounce party costs for the basic plan. Very rude to bring uninvited sibs and increase cost for another family. Tacky. Sorry you are stressing OP. I remember being anxious about this too bc we were up to 25 kids when only 16 were invited.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sent out my first evite to a mix of classmates, neighbors and family friends. I made sure children's names were listed. Family friends RSVPd with entire family - 2 adults 2 kids. Now multiple classmates are RSVPing with 2-3 kids.

I am going to go over my headcount of 20. I can probably pay $30 per sibling for a few but I prefer not. This ia drop off optional. These parents are bringing older kids and younger kids.

What can I do? Just take it as a learning lesson?

In the past, I did paper invitations and parents would ask about siblings.

Just try to be understanding. For single parents, or those whose spouse can't watch the other kid, it's very nice when parents allow siblings. Parents should be reasonable and expect that some will ask about siblings. If you can acommodate, it's wonderful.

I totally agree. DH often travels for work and I often have to find a babysitter to watch the sibling that is not invited. If I can't find a babysitter, I usually tell the child that's invited to the party that she can't go which is usually very disappointing.

I promise that your disappointed little snowflake will live.

Anonymous wrote:I do get why people assume single parents have no support system.

Geez, no siblings is no siblings no matter the guest's family situation.

Also people need to remember to restrict the invite so no other people can RSVP. If you don't the evite asks how many people. In that case don't get mad when people assume more than one person is invited.

BTW I am a single parent. Earlier this school year there was a party when I was out of the country for work My mother doesn't drive so a friend picked up and dropped off my son. You learn to make it work and if you can't that is your burden not the other parent's.

Two really important points here! If you, parent, can't make it work, then your kid doesn't go. It's really that simple. He will not die if he has to miss a birthday party.

I do get why people assume single parents have no support system.

Geez, no siblings is no siblings no matter the guest's family situation.

Also people need to remember to restrict the invite so no other people can RSVP. If you don't the evite asks how many people. In that case don't get mad when people assume more than one person is invited.

BTW I am a single parent. Earlier this school year there was a party when I was out of the country for work My mother doesn't drive so a friend picked up and dropped off my son. You learn to make it work and if you can't that is your burden not the other parent's.

I didn't read all 6 pages of responses on here but I am in the same situation. My DS is turning 4 and I did an evite and addressed it to the child's name in his class. So far two parents (whom I have never met) rsvp'ed that they are bringing a second child. One wrote in the comments, "I will be bringing Larla, Jojo's sister" and the other just had a count for 2 children and no comment. Honestly, I would be annoyed but would accommodate them if they sent me an email explaining the situation, "thank you for inviting my DS. He has a twin brother whom I would like to bring...or...I'm a single parent and would have to bring my other child...." Whatever the reason, isn't common sense and politeness to reach out to the host and communicate rather than assume?!? I am really appalled by the lack of respect for the person hosting.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sent out my first evite to a mix of classmates, neighbors and family friends. I made sure children's names were listed. Family friends RSVPd with entire family - 2 adults 2 kids. Now multiple classmates are RSVPing with 2-3 kids.

I am going to go over my headcount of 20. I can probably pay $30 per sibling for a few but I prefer not. This ia drop off optional. These parents are bringing older kids and younger kids.

What can I do? Just take it as a learning lesson?

In the past, I did paper invitations and parents would ask about siblings.

Just try to be understanding. For single parents, or those whose spouse can't watch the other kid, it's very nice when parents allow siblings. Parents should be reasonable and expect that some will ask about siblings. If you can acommodate, it's wonderful.

I totally agree. DH often travels for work and I often have to find a babysitter to watch the sibling that is not invited. If I can't find a babysitter, I usually tell the child that's invited to the party that she can't go which is usually very disappointing.

How EVER do you manage in life?

My DH travels for work and I seem to have my shit together. It's a drop off party. Or, you get a friend to take little Aden and you stay home with Emma.

It's amazing you are keeping two children alive.

Lol! +1000 I am dying to know what you two pps do for a living. Why is this such a hard concept to grasp?

~ signed a mom of two with her shit together while her husband travels a lot!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sent out my first evite to a mix of classmates, neighbors and family friends. I made sure children's names were listed. Family friends RSVPd with entire family - 2 adults 2 kids. Now multiple classmates are RSVPing with 2-3 kids.

I am going to go over my headcount of 20. I can probably pay $30 per sibling for a few but I prefer not. This ia drop off optional. These parents are bringing older kids and younger kids.

What can I do? Just take it as a learning lesson?

In the past, I did paper invitations and parents would ask about siblings.

Just try to be understanding. For single parents, or those whose spouse can't watch the other kid, it's very nice when parents allow siblings. Parents should be reasonable and expect that some will ask about siblings. If you can acommodate, it's wonderful.

I totally agree. DH often travels for work and I often have to find a babysitter to watch the sibling that is not invited. If I can't find a babysitter, I usually tell the child that's invited to the party that she can't go which is usually very disappointing.

It's drop-off optional, so why would the other sibling need a babysitter? You drop-off invitee and then take sibling to get ice cream or do something else before picking up from the party. NBD.

+1 my DH works every Saturday so I get the issue, but not with a drop off party. I always drop off in that scenario. If my kid doesn't want to be dropped off, they don't go.