How to deal with invited guest asking if siblings are invited also?

Right now we are over our guest limit by 7 and I have to pay for those children.

Should I put on the invite about siblings not attending or just deal with it as the parents call to rsvp?

Either way (on the invite or on phone) how do I say this nicely without coming off as mean or cheap?

I feel bad saying no siblings, especially since it's not even guaranteed that all of the 37 kids invited will attend and there could be room for siblings if they dont.


The reason we are over is because we are inviting the whole class. There is no class contact list and getting only certain kids info is proving to be more difficult that I had anticipated. I gave in and just figured I'd invite the whole class.

I hate planning parties lol. DS birthday is in Nov and I am already stressing over this.

Re: How to deal with invited guest asking if siblings are invited also?

I've never had this problem- thank god! But coming from a mom of three, I always make sure I have childcare lined up for my other kids when we go to a party. If I cant get childcare, I either RSVP no, or will pay for the other children to participate (depends on the venue - for example - a bowing party - I would just get another lane for the kids not invited) I would NEVER expect the host/hostess to pay for my other children if they are not specifically invited.

Re: How to deal with invited guest asking if siblings are invited also?

I have told all of my friends with little ones that DS bday party won't be age appropriate for them since it's supposed to be kindergarten or older.

Re: How to deal with invited guest asking if siblings are invited also?

I would just say you are limited with the amount of people you can have, and that you are sorry. I've had a couple of people ask, which is completely rude if you ask me. If I don't have a sitter for the other child, I just decline the invite.

Re: How to deal with invited guest asking if siblings are invited also?

When you send out invites just put the kids name invited.

If I was to get an invite like that, to me that would mean the sibling is not invited.

That usually works for me.

Re: How to deal with invited guest asking if siblings are invited also?

I have had parents in the past bring siblings out of necessity, and they have offered to pay for that child. If it was just one or two kids extra, I usually offerd to pay for it. Last year my daughter's party ended up being pretty big, and so I accepted the money from the parents, and was thankful that they offered.

I can't believe all of these parents asking to bring siblings! You would think that they'd have more tact!

Re: How to deal with invited guest asking if siblings are invited also?

DD's 5th birthday was at a gymnastics place and their rule is 4 and up on the gym floor. In the invitation I added siblings are welcome to play with DD#1 in a separate area but only 4 and up on the gym floor.

As people RSVP'd yes, I flat out asked if the younger sibling was coming so I had a better idea of count. I actually invited some of the older siblings to make it easier for some parents...but I knew all the parents of DD's pre-K class...

Re: How to deal with invited guest asking if siblings are invited also?

Everyone that has multiple kids either has had to deal with it at another party or themselves personally.

Hopefully they would ask when RSVP if sibilings are welcome :)

I would put on the invite
*sibilings are $12 (whatever amount)


I have always left my other kids with my dh or a babysitter because I don't want to be that mom that brings extra kids without asking.


At a pump it up party (where extra kids were $16 - I had the party host ask the parents when signing the waivers - saying we need an exact count and the siblings would be an extra fee if they stayed) Nice - I didn't have to say it!!

Re: How to deal with invited guest asking if siblings are invited also?

Re: How to deal with invited guest asking if siblings are invited also?

Thanks for the help.

I have decided to put DH cell on the invite and let him handle that part.

He wants to tell them that if they must bring siblings that they are an extra fee.

I hope we don't have an issue because I don't want to be over run with kids and I have to get favors and cake for all of them.

Re: How to deal with invited guest asking if siblings are invited also?

I would just put on the invinte

"Due to space limitations siblings are not able to attend. "

Re: How to deal with invited guest asking if siblings are invited also?

I really am against bringing siblings to bday parties when they are not invited. It opens up a HUGE can of worms. It puts people in positions of telling 1 person no and 1 yes. DD's parties have had alot of kids and at her last party someone brought 2 extra kids and I didnt know them or their family. In the end I was billed for their 2 kids and they didnt offer to pay for them. I ate the $. I guess I just wouldnt be one of those people to do it to someone else. Really, what can ya do...KWIM...