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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Birthday party sibling advice
We are having DS's 6th bday party at a kid science lab this Saturday. A month or so ago, I wanted to do an invitation discouraging siblings or stating that younger siblings are welcome to have pizza and cake but it would not be age appropriate for the activity. DH did not want to do that because he didn't want our personal friends to be offended.
Fast forward one month and we now are over headcount because almost everyone who has more than 1 child is bringing all their kids. As a host, I just couldn't find the words to say no so I just responded with, "great, see you there" or similar. It would have been fine but we got a few late RSVPs.
Is it ok for me to reach out to the families who are bringing younger children and say that the younger siblings are welcome to eat pizza and cake but not participate in the activity?
I just can't find the words. Please help.
It was awkward for me to put in the beginning on an invitation and now it is awkward to bring it up a few days before a party. My biggest problem is that we have always done family parties in the past. Most of our parties were held in our home so we could always accommodate more people.
In the past, I was always in the siblings are welcome camp. You just can't accommodate them when it automatically doubles your guest list!
eta: this is a place where you can drop off. parents will have to stand outside of the science labs while children do the activities. younger kids would not be able to follow along.
Message edited 3/19/2015 9:29:16 AM.
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Posted 3/19/15 9:25 AM  |
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MrsO
Big Brothers to Be
Member since 1/07 4521 total posts
Name:
Maureen
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Re: Birthday party sibling advice
Tough spot. Maybe word an email saying. You apologize but you just found out kids under 5 or 6 can not participate in the science project but are more than welcome to come and enjoy the cake and pizza.
Is there a way you could have a little activity like coloring books or something for the little ones in the waiting area?
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| Posted 3/19/15 9:38 AM |
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Lara&Aidansmommy
For mom i miss u ETC ILOVEU
Member since 3/07 13921 total posts
Name:
ETC I LOVE YOU
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Re: Birthday party sibling advice
I remember your first post about this situation. Ugh! Ok maybe send out email reminding the parents that the first part of the party are only for the older children since younger kids can not participate in the experiments. But are welcome for cake. Hopefully most of the parents will just leave siblings at home . Lol.
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| Posted 3/19/15 9:44 AM |
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SHOPAHOLIC
LIF Adult
Member since 1/07 1712 total posts
Name:
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Re: Birthday party sibling advice
Posted by MrsO
Tough spot. Maybe word an email saying. You apologize but you just found out kids under 5 or 6 can not participate in the science project but are more than welcome to come and enjoy the cake and pizza.
Is there a way you could have a little activity like coloring books or something for the little ones in the waiting area?
I think this is a great idea and what I would do as well.
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| Posted 3/19/15 9:44 AM |
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JME78
LIF Adult
Member since 11/09 3672 total posts
Name:
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Re: Birthday party sibling advice
Since the party is this weekend and you originally said "great, see you there" to the extra kids, I think you need to find something for them to do - maybe get some coloring books, etc for the younger kids to play with while the older kids are doing the science activity.
You can't expect people to find a babysitter so last minute for their other kids - you should have stated the age limits up front, now its too late.
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| Posted 3/19/15 9:47 AM |
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FirstMate
My lil cowboy
Member since 10/10 7790 total posts
Name:
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Re: Birthday party sibling advice
Posted by MrsO
Tough spot. Maybe word an email saying. You apologize but you just found out kids under 5 or 6 can not participate in the science project but are more than welcome to come and enjoy the cake and pizza.
This is what I would do.
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| Posted 3/19/15 10:13 AM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Birthday party sibling advice
Posted by JME78
Since the party is this weekend and you originally said "great, see you there" to the extra kids, I think you need to find something for them to do - maybe get some coloring books, etc for the younger kids to play with while the older kids are doing the science activity.
You can't expect people to find a babysitter so last minute for their other kids - you should have stated the age limits up front, now its too late.
No one needs a babysitter. It is a drop off place.
My older child takes science lab there every week. I always drop him off and take his younger brother to the grocery store, library or starbucks.
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| Posted 3/19/15 10:38 AM |
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JME78
LIF Adult
Member since 11/09 3672 total posts
Name:
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Re: Birthday party sibling advice
I just don't know that you can tell people 2 days before the party that all of a sudden its not ok for them to bring their smaller children - when you already told them it was ok.
I understand its a drop off place, but you told them all "Great, see you there".
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| Posted 3/19/15 11:06 AM |
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MrsT809
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 12167 total posts
Name:
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Birthday party sibling advice
Is there an area that the parents can stay with the younger ones? Like someone suggested maybe have some drinks and activities they can do while the older ones do the activity. I would feel out the party hosts and see if you can get them to announce that all kids x years and up should go with them for the activity. If the hosts aren't receptive theen you can just announce it yourself. If there's no where else for them to go I think you need to call and ask about adding a few extra kids. I don't think you can uninvite this late in the game. It is a tough situation but at least it's a good problem to have that everyone wants to come celebrate!
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| Posted 3/19/15 11:26 AM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Birthday party sibling advice
Posted by MrsT809
Is there an area that the parents can stay with the younger ones? Like someone suggested maybe have some drinks and activities they can do while the older ones do the activity. I would feel out the party hosts and see if you can get them to announce that all kids x years and up should go with them for the activity. If the hosts aren't receptive theen you can just announce it yourself. If there's no where else for them to go I think you need to call and ask about adding a few extra kids. I don't think you can uninvite this late in the game. It is a tough situation but at least it's a good problem to have that everyone wants to come celebrate!
I just called the venue and told them about the younger siblings. They have an open area with a small play area. This is the normal wait room for parents/siblings when kids are in science labs. For parties, they put tables here for the pizza and cake.
I asked that they not close this area with play test tubes, measuring spoons, etc. My younger son often plays here when we are waiting for his older brother.
I am hoping the instructors don't mind if siblings are around. At least the venue knows these siblings are coming.
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| Posted 3/19/15 11:43 AM |
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BlessedMomma
LIF Adult
Member since 12/11 6163 total posts
Name:
Momma Bear
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Re: Birthday party sibling advice
Posted by MrsO
Tough spot. Maybe word an email saying. You apologize but you just found out kids under 5 or 6 can not participate in the science project but are more than welcome to come and enjoy the cake and pizza.
Is there a way you could have a little activity like coloring books or something for the little ones in the waiting area?
I would go with this.
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| Posted 3/19/15 11:51 AM |
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