Is It Ok to Take Grandchildren to a Class Reunion ?

Updated on April 17, 2012
M.D. asks from Irving, TX
25 answers

I am going to a class reunion . Would it be improper for a grandmother to bring her grandchildren with her. Really to see the places where she was born and raised. I WOULD LIKE TO DO THE CORRECT THING . NOT THE INCORECT THING TO DO . I do not want to make others uncompable.

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L.A.

answers from Austin on

No. No children.. at a reunion, unless there is an event that is called a "family event".

The 10 yer reunion, we did have a family picnic.. That was the only year we had children included at anything..

But otherwise.. no..

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C.B.

answers from San Francisco on

I don't think anyone brings their children, let alone grandchildren to a class reunion unless it's a daytime picnic type thing.

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C.W.

answers from Santa Barbara on

Is it a daytime, family event? If not then no, it's usually an adult event. You can always make a trip with the kiddos another time.

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S.H.

answers from St. Louis on

well, I think it is inappropriate. Class reunions are about the classmates, not about your grandkids' heritage.

With my children, I have spent many wkends touring my heritage. They know my schools, my neighborhood, & a lot of the stories. They've sampled treats from my fav places: Soulard Market, Ted Drewes, Gus' Pretzels, etc. Even though we live 2 hours out of St Louis, both of my sons have a high comfort level in StL....

Soooo that would be my recommendation to you....keep the reunion separate, but begin introducing your grkids to your past - wkends are perfect for that!

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C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

M.:

Welcome to mamapedia!!!

No. I would NOT take my grandchildren to a class reunion. If someone else brought their grandchildren to a class reunion, I would be uncomfortable and would not feel like I could sit back and reminisce about "old times" and laugh at the stupid things we did!!

I would take them on a trip to my "hometown" at a different time or bring them with you on the trip and show them around but NOT to a class reunion party.

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D..

answers from Charlotte on

To be honest, I think that it is an improper thing to do. There will probably be alcohol served there, people talking about memories of a different time, from adult perspectives, that don't need to be talked about in front of children.

However, the reunion doesn't last long, M.. Why not have someone watch the kids while you are at this function, and around this, you can show them where you were born and grew up.

The other thing I want to mention is that if the reunion is an afternoon thing rather than held at night, that might be more conducive to children attending. Call the people putting the reunion together. Ask them. See what they say. It is commendable that you don't want others to feel uncomfortable, but you also don't want to "bend the rules" so to speak. The food costs money - the reunion committee may have to pay "per person".

Anyway, I hope that you can do both things - go to the reunion and enjoy old times, and then take your grandkids around where your grew up. That is a really nice idea. You just have to work out the logistics.

Dawn

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D.W.

answers from Gainesville on

It depends on the class reunion. If it's a traditional reunion (evening, dress up, dinner, drinks) then absolutely *no* kiddos.

Our town/high school has several different types of reunions. We have an evening event that is classmates and their guest and then we have a family day where classmates bring their entire family and we have a picnic. Once a year there is a group that holds a reunion where anyone that ever graduated and their families are welcome to attend.

Unless the invite said specifically it was a family-type reunion event your grandchild would not enjoy the event, would be out of place and would make everyone else feel like they couldn't let their hair down and talk.

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R.B.

answers from La Crosse on

No children are usually not invited to the reunion itself.

If you wanted to take your grandchildren with then have someone along that can sit with them at the hotel while you are at the reunion ( unless one of the grandchildren are old enough to do this). Then the rest of the time you can enjoy showing them the sites of where you grew up.

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K.R.

answers from Sherman on

dont do that, they will be so bored, and probably be the only kids there.
this is more for you and your friends to reconnect.
however, many have family time worked into the celebrations. at our we had a high school tour and a family picnic before the party.

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J.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

No.

Take them to see the places, but not the reunion itself.

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M.L.

answers from Houston on

A lot of class reunions have a family day, like a picnic, then the adult only portion. I think there is nothing wrong to bring them along to show them your old stomping grounds and family memories, but at the evening portion with adults, leave them with their parent.

Call the coordinator if you have any questions on if this will have family events or if it is mostly an adult reunion.

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J.P.

answers from Lakeland on

I would say it is OK to take them to the area where you grew up and show them around, but do not take them to the actual reunion. Are the kids old enough to stay on their own for a couple of hours while you go to the reunion? Or can someone else join you and stay with them while you are out?

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T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

It's only okay if children are actually invited.
Though honestly they will probably be bored out of their minds.
I brought mine to a "family picnic" style reunion a few years ago and they were miserable.
Go by yourself, you'll have a lot more fun!

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L.M.

answers from Chicago on

No way. Won't they be bored out of their minds? I would be for sure. Also, no one else will bring kids so you will be alone in this, and so will the kids.

Bring them a separate time show them those important places. The reunion is not that time.

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I.M.

answers from New York on

I think it would depend on the age. If they are small and you have to take care of them, I wouldn't. Remember must likely only adults would be there and there might be some drinking and inappropriate dancing? who knows?
But if they are older, and you can take them to see where you were born and raised and then leave them in the room while you go to the party, I think that would be okay.
I don't think is right to take them to the party it self. This time is for you and your friends. Things might be said and remembered that are not appropriate for them. I wouldn't.

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I would only take them to the party where family is invited. There will be set times for this. We usually do something in the park where space is not an issue.

Otherwise let them stay at the hotel and do the sightseeing when the reunion is over or during the time when they are not meeting.

I have a family reunion coming up in May and am taking my grand kids and going a couple of days before. I want to go to Tushka and find some family graves and to Lehigh too. I want to take some pictures and get some genealogy stuff.

The kids are looking forward to it.

BTW, at 55 I am my grandparents youngest grandchild. So you can imagine how distant the relatives are that get together. I have tons of first cousins and am looking forward to seeing them but cannot imagine there will be many kids my grand kids ages.

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L.M.

answers from New York on

I'm not sure I understand your question. A class reunion is an adult event, (even if your grandchildren are over 18). It's a time to visit and reconnect with old friends. Bringing someone to an event when they are clearly not invited and not welcome, would be unappropritate and would make everyone uncomfortable.

If there is some type of family event associated with the reunion, then yes, you could bring your grandchildren.

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J.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

I don't even take my husband to class reunions:) I want to catch up and socialize with old classmates. If you bring someone with you, you will be doing introductions and they may make small talk to make your grandchild feel welcomed.

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J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

Depends on what type. We had a family gathering on Friday and something like that would be fine for grandkids. The more formal reunion we had on Saturday, I don't think so.

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J.B.

answers from Atlanta on

Most reunions are adult -sometimes even semi-formal -affairs where grandchildren (or any children) wouldn't be welcome. I would do what everyone else will be doing and take some really cute photos of them to show to your old friends!

I would only ever think children of any sort at a class reunion were okay if it was stipulated on the invitation -something like a midday picnic where they tell you to bring your family.

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D.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Depends upon the reunion. My school has reunion weekend with a ton of family friendly functions. Plus some that are just for the graduates. They also offer programs for the kids that run during the events so child care is covered.

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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

If your asking is it ok to bring them along for the weekend yes. To the actual reunion events then no. People come to these things to visit with old school mates not visit with grandchildren. But if you have one old enough to keep the youngsters happy while your at the events then by all means bring them. where would your son/daughter be during this reunion? with the kids? it sounds like fun showing them around as long as you don't bring them to the event.

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☆.A.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I'm assuming this is a travel-to event?

Will it only be a dinner reunion or are there other activities throughout the weekend?

If dinner only, I might skip dinner and just take them to "pop in" during cocktail hour maybe? But to sit through a reception, dinner, etc. with other attendees and no other kids? nah.

D.L.

answers from Dallas on

Haven't read other responses but I would say it really depends on the ages of the grandkids and the reunion venue. If its a laid back reunion at 2pm on a Saturday at the park then I'd take them. If its a 6pm dinner/dance at the country club then I would not.

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H.M.

answers from Dallas on

It depends on a few things. #1 how old are the grandchildren. If they are older like 18 and up I would go for it. #2 if its a weekend event yes take them and go to the other events with them besides the dinnder if they are young and make sure you bring one of their parents with them to watch them for the dinner.

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