Hi Moms,
Ok so my I planning my daughter's bday party and where she is having it has a limit of 20 kids. I figure I could invite 25 because not all would show up.
Well she has 26 kids in her class, 2 sports teams, girl scouts and 15 families I babysit for. So we have lots of kids she interacts with so its going to be very hard to limit her list.
HERES the Diliema: Most of her friends have siblings some even have 2-3 well at every party they always come. With the limit of the party how can I gracefully let the parents know on the invitations that there is a limit and siblings would not be able to attend.
Please let me know your opinions.
Thanks
Well I have designed her invitations and I am about to order them from vista print since I get them free!
I am putting a comment on there nicely because frankly I can't have 40 kids or so show up when they will only allow 20. There is not a free play or lets pay for seperate kids etc. You are the only party there. It is being held at a church that has a HUGE like 3/4 story treehouse slides etc and they limit 20 because of volunteers etc that run the party.
Unfortunately most parents do not RSVP so I cant rely on letting them know when it calls esp if they were to call only a few days before the event. I decided to put a comment under stating if this is a problem do to the unavailability of finding a sitter for extra children I would be glad to bring your child along with me to the party so that they may participate in the event.
My daughter goes to a private school and the families are pretty close to the fact all the moms bring and pick their kids and we constantly have events and social gatherings as well as at least 4-5 parties a month. So I think that they will respect the discisions if not then so be.
Thanks for all your help!
As a mom of three I never take all my children to a party unless all 3 were invited. I just 1 is invited that is the only one that I take to the party. If my husband can't watch the other children then we just can't make it. I understand that is just me. I think I would just put on the invite that siblings are welcome at parents expense. Places that don't really have limitations is always the best bet for bday parties imo.
A good friend just went through this also. She addressed each invitation to the child and parent. She explained to us that there was a restriction on the number of people that could attend. I think everyone understood and I knew, at some point, this would have happened anyways. It didn't offend me at all. Her party was at the zoo and she found out the # restriction had to do with the animals that were brought in to the party room. She did let everyone know that if they wanted to go through the zoo on their own, before or after the party, we were welcome to do so.
don't do it on the invitations it's tacky. when they call to rsvp then address the issue
If you are having it at a place that you are paying per person, like Chuck E. Cheese or McDonalds, then I would just include on the invite a not that says siblings are welcome to attend for the cost of blah. If you are having it at your home I would include a note that says space is very limited, so if mom has sibling to care for during this time, please feel free to drop-off the invitee. Chances are that someone will miss the note and show up with all the kids, so I would just plan for this to happen with at least one of the families.
E.,
I was in your position, and here's what you should do. Regarding the 20 kids. Just in case (for the slight chance) everyone is able to attend, only invite 20 kids so you won't find yourself in a pickle. Ask for them to RSVP ASAP, so put an early RSVP date. If people don't RSVP by the date given (which I'm sure they won't), then contact them and ask them yourself. Whomever can not attend, then you can invite the people on your "B" list.
Regarding the sibling issue, that is a pet peeve of mine when parents bring their other children to birthday parties. For my son's birthday party, I also had a limit, so on the invite, I nicely said, "We have a limit of a certain amount of people, and we are all maxed out. Because of this, unfortuantely siblings are not able to attend. Sorry!" You just have to be direct and say it, just like that. Good luck!
Hi E.! I just had the same problem for my son's birthday! The party place only allowed 20 occupants total! I put a piece of paper in with the invite with the directions. Below the directions I put, "Due to (party place) occupancy rules (only 20 occupants), please bring only one parent and the invited child." It was so hard to do that, but it was their rules and not mine. In the end, it all worked out ok. I did see one guest count to make sure there were only 20 people there! That was funny!
Anyway, have a great party! Happy Birthday Arianna!
C.
I don't really have a suggestion for you, except to echo another mom -- just put something on the invitation saying the child is the only one welcome.
My reason for writing is just to feel your pain. This is absolutely one of my pet peeves. People are so rude, who would THINK to invite someone additional? If you can't swing allowing one child to go, then no one should. Another is the apparent failure on 99% of the population's half to RSVP. It is inexcusable. Sorry to vent!!
Good luck to you!
I understand your concern is there anyway to pick a different venue? I have 2 children and as you stated most of the guest have 2 or more children. It would be easier for me to not attend than to find a babysitter. Just a thought.
I think it would be very appropriate to just write on the invitation something like, "Due to (Party Place)'s strict limits on the number of guests, only the invited guest will be able to participate in Birthday Party activities." Truly the parents should NEVER assume that it is okay to bring all the kids, but I know they often do.
This will immediately let the parents know that the whole family cannot participate and will allow them to make arrangements for childcare, etc, or decline the party.
