If you have a preschooler, do you take younger siblings to birthday parties of classmates?

Up until now, DS#2 was a baby. Now he is a full blown toddler. He will be counted in the headcount when attending parties. I know it is rude to bring a sibling.

If you have a child in preschool and have a second younger child, do you take the younger one? This is for non-drop off parties.

There are a few weekends DH is unavailable. Not sure if I should just decline or ask if I can bring the little one. I feel like it would be rude to even ask, especially if it is at a place and DS#2 would count in cost. WWYD?

I asked if it was ok to bring the younger one last week but it was a home party. I was the only one to bring a sibling and I must admit that the little one was pretty disruptive. I apologized to the host and she said I was silly for even apologizing. They have a younger one the same age as DS#2 though.

Re: If you have a preschooler, do you take younger siblings to birthday parties of classmates?

IMO, once a sibling has reached the age that the host will be charged - it is not fair to bring them.

I think it's rude to even ask, because you put the host in an awkward position.

I would decline if I didn't have anyone to watch DS.

Re: If you have a preschooler, do you take younger siblings to birthday parties of classmates?

You can decline and explain why. Let the host decide if you can bring sibling

Re: If you have a preschooler, do you take younger siblings to birthday parties of classmates?

I only bring my toddler if she is invited. Most of our friends and DS's friends have little siblings and I always invite them because I appreciate when I can bring my DD. Most of his friends also invite DD for the same reason. However, there are times when she is not invited or I feel the party is not age appropriate for her and I leave her home. Honestly, I would never ask to bring her to a party that was not age appropriate for her unless it was family - I just don't feel it is fair to the host/bday child for the exact reason you describe as happening. If DD is not invited and I have no one to watch her - we don't go. It sucks but, I think it's the right thing to do.

Re: If you have a preschooler, do you take younger siblings to birthday parties of classmates?

I declined first and explained that it was because DH had to work and then they invited DD. The family is our friends outside of school. Subsequently, I have had both of their children at our parties. I would only go with this route if they are good friends.

If I did not really know the family well, I would either decline or hire a babysitter. I have hired a babysitter when I knew DH had to work and there have been times when we did not attend.

Message edited 7/23/2012 9:15:24 PM.

Re: If you have a preschooler, do you take younger siblings to birthday parties of classmates?

If I had to choose between not going and going with my younger DC, I would decline.

For me, my younger DC is very active, easily upset, etc. I would prefer to go with my preschooler - just us - or not go at all.

Re: If you have a preschooler, do you take younger siblings to birthday parties of classmates?

No I declined one party because I would have to bring my younger DD. The mom told me to bring her and come anyway. But I wouldn't go otherwise.

Re: If you have a preschooler, do you take younger siblings to birthday parties of classmates?

I would decline. DS's good friend was having a party and we explained to the mother that DD would have to come but wouldnt participate and she was absolutely fine with it...so she didn't get counted in the head count.

Re: If you have a preschooler, do you take younger siblings to birthday parties of classmates?

I always decline if I don't have someone to stay with my little one(s) or even to watch my younge rone as my middle son gets invited to plenty of parties too. I have been in this situation many, many times as I rarely have sitting unless it a weekend party and DH is around. Many parties these days are week day parties. Luckily now as my sons get older, I know lots more people invited to the classmate parties and usually have a friend who can take my son to the party. When my 18 mo old was a baby and sitting in stroller I'd bring her but now that she is a mover - nope. I try not to say bc of my little one/having no sitting, because I don't want the host to feel like they have to offer me to bring my little one. Just gets out of hand if you let someone bring the little ones, you have to offer everyone and these parties are expensive. I have even had people up front tell me to bring my little one but unless I am close to the family, I feel like that isn't right and do my best not to do that.esp if it is a party place (at a house party - I may).

Message edited 7/24/2012 7:05:53 AM.

Re: If you have a preschooler, do you take younger siblings to birthday parties of classmates?

If the party is out at a place where they charge per head, I decline when I can't find a sitter for the other child.

Re: If you have a preschooler, do you take younger siblings to birthday parties of classmates?

If it is a party where your younger DS wouldn't be too disruptive and could participate, what if you offered to pay for younger DS to attend? I was going to go this route for a party we had recently but we ended up not going.

If it was something your younger DS couldn't participate in (we have a bounce house party coming up that my younger guy can not attend), I would either hire a sitter or not go.