Anniversary party invitation no kids

[goofinoff]

My siblings and I are giving my parents a 50th wedding anniversary party. My parents are coming up with the guest list. They have specifically said they don't want any kids there except their 7 grandchildren (the youngest is my 11 year old). Do I put on the invitation no children or adults only or something like that. My one concern is a cousin who goes nowhere without his two (misbehaved) children. We know we have to invite him and his wife but do not want his kids there. I don't really care if he comes or not to be honest.
Suggestions?

 

[RitaE]

Where is the party? Is it possible you could provide a supervised childcare room somewhere close?

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Just put Adults Only Please on the invite. If anyone asks why the grandkids are there on the day of the party say it was a special request by the grandparents.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Where is the party? Is it possible you could provide a supervised childcare room somewhere close?

This is not an option the anniversary couple stated NO kids except the grandchildren It's about THEM no one else Adults go out all the time, hire a sitter or stay home simple

Just put Adults Only Please on the invite. If anyone asks why the grandkids are there on the day of the party say it was a special request by the grandparents.

Perfect easy peasy the heck with anyone else it's their wishes for their celebration

 

[yoopermom]

We have a family member getting married in June fighting this battle right now. She has a cousin with two (sorry to say bratty) kids who is literally making the kids not being invited into a family war. The bride and her mom have called and tried to talk some sense into this woman, and so far, it's not working.

So, if I were you, I'd have a backup plan if they just plan on coming and bringing their kids anyways. It seems like for those kind of people, no matter what you write on the invite, they're probably going to ignore it...

Terri

 

[DopeyDame]

Yup, just put "adults only, please" on the invitation. If the one family has an issue with it, they are welcome to stay home with their kids.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

This is not an option the anniversary couple stated NO kids except the grandchildren It's about THEM no one else Adults go out all the time, hire a sitter or stay home simple

Why wouldn't offering baby sitting close by an option? When I was a teen, I babysat at several "events." Weddings, funerals, etc. It allows people who travel for the event to bring children on the trip while still keeping the event child-free. Close-by doesn't have to be at the event location. It could be a local house, a hotel suite, etc. If the parents who might show up with kids despite instructions are local, it would be easy enough for them to get a sitter, but if you have a lot of people traveling, I think this can be a very nice accommodation.

 

[soccerdad72]

Just put Adults Only Please on the invite. If anyone asks why the grandkids are there on the day of the party say it was a special request by the grandparents.

Yep, this.

 

[Hannathy]

I don't know how large of a party it is, but I"m sure the no kids won't be a problem for their friends or relatives their age BUT if they want the younger family members like nieces, nephews to be there then I would be prepared for many to not come especially if they have to travel. I know when my kids were younger I wouldn't have went to the expense and trouble of trying to travel and find a sitter for an anniversary party. So if they really just want folks their ages there (and they might) then make it no kids and I hope they have a very nice party. It's their right to have the type of party they want with who they want.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Why wouldn't offering baby sitting close by an option? When I was a teen, I babysat at several "events." Weddings, funerals, etc. It allows people who travel for the event to bring children on the trip while still keeping the event child-free. Close-by doesn't have to be at the event location. It could be a local house, a hotel suite, etc. If the parents who might show up with kids despite instructions are local, it would be easy enough for them to get a sitter, but if you have a lot of people traveling, I think this can be a very nice accommodation.

Well since you ask me I will give you my opinion When people have children no one elses life stops Not trying to be nasty, but the anniversary couple and the family that is throwing the party have enough on their plate If a couple has to travel to a party they really want to attend then again IMHO make your own arrangements and go Honor the wishes of the family/couple and don't expect them to take on finding alternate arrangements for guests children

 

[barkley]

We have a family member getting married in June fighting this battle right now. She has a cousin with two (sorry to say bratty) kids who is literally making the kids not being invited into a family war. The bride and her mom have called and tried to talk some sense into this woman, and so far, it's not working.

So, if I were you, I'd have a backup plan if they just plan on coming and bringing their kids anyways. It seems like for those kind of people, no matter what you write on the invite, they're probably going to ignore it...

Terri

yup, seen it happen. attended the wedding where the b/g were very upfront via invitations and directly speaking to people-ADULTS ONLY (only child to be there was the only dd of the bride's sister, who served as flower girl). didn't matter-people showed up w/kids saying 'oh they didn't mean such and such-that didn't apply to our kids...' kids disrupted the event AND complained when the caterer who managed to rush to put plates together for them didn't have any 'kid food'

I think it's fine for the invitations to say 'adults only', but I think if there's someone likely to try and test it that you know about ahead of time-include a handwritten note on the rspv card that says something like 'dear cousin x, we understand it completely if you are unable to attend mom/dad's anniversary party given that you prefer to attend family events with your children and this is ADULTS ONLY. we know that you will be there in spirit'

this only works if you are willing not to admit them if they show up w/the kids (I wouldn't have a back up plan in place and would not admit people who bring uninvited persons-the kids, but then there's no one family or friends wise that if they cause me stress/grief I ever feel I 'have' to invite to something).

 

[msjprincess]

Why wouldn't offering baby sitting close by an option? When I was a teen, I babysat at several "events." Weddings, funerals, etc. It allows people who travel for the event to bring children on the trip while still keeping the event child-free. Close-by doesn't have to be at the event location. It could be a local house, a hotel suite, etc. If the parents who might show up with kids despite instructions are local, it would be easy enough for them to get a sitter, but if you have a lot of people traveling, I think this can be a very nice accommodation.

That's fine if that's what the hosts choose to do. But they shouldn't have to set up babysitting just in case guests choose to ignore the request for adults only. I've been to dozens of adult only events. If I can't find a babysitter, I don't go. It's simple.

 

[soccerdad72]

Why wouldn't offering baby sitting close by an option? When I was a teen, I babysat at several "events." Weddings, funerals, etc. It allows people who travel for the event to bring children on the trip while still keeping the event child-free. Close-by doesn't have to be at the event location. It could be a local house, a hotel suite, etc. If the parents who might show up with kids despite instructions are local, it would be easy enough for them to get a sitter, but if you have a lot of people traveling, I think this can be a very nice accommodation.

While I suppose that would be a nice thing to offer, I think it's asking a lot of the hosts of the party to put something like this together along with all the work the party itself will take.

A more likely scenario would be a couple of families going together on their own to find a babysitter for their children that night, especially if they're all relatives of each other.

 

[eliza61]

Man, have we come to the point that if you have a party you know have to make "accommodations" for all the invitees.
Jeez, it was so simple when I was younger. It went like this.
Host a party, send out invites with "adults only" on it.
people who could make it came, people who couldn't didn't.

If I've got kids dh and I figured out how to go out with out them when necessary.

Op, host the anniversary, send out the invites. stress that it's kids only. Yes, it's possible some one will be tacky and think it doesn't apply to them. look at it this way, you get to talk about them for the next year. "giggle"

I'm going on the assumption that you are sending out invitations in advance.

Sorry but I think if some one sends out a wedding invitation 3-6 months in advance or a party invite 2-3 months out, folks with kids should be able to figure out a solution on their own.

LOL. I live in Philly, my family is in NYC, DC and NC. good thing they know I'm not finding babysitting for anyone. ain't my kids. You want to come, you figure out how to make it happen.

 

[DWGal210]

Man, have we come to the point that if you have a party you know have to make "accommodations" for all the invitees.
Jeez, it was so simple when I was younger. It went like this.
Host a party, send out invites with "adults only" on it.
people who could make it came, people who couldn't didn't.

If I've got kids dh and I figured out how to go out with out them when necessary.

Op, host the anniversary, send out the invites. stress that it's kids only. Yes, it's possible some one will be tacky and think it doesn't apply to them. look at it this way, you get to talk about them for the next year. "giggle"

LOL. I live in Philly, my family is in NYC, DC and NC. good thing they know I'm not finding babysitting for anyone. ain't my kids. You want to come, you figure out how to make it happen.

The only time I sided with a guest in an "adults-only" invitation situation was with a friend of mine. Her infant was about 2 months old and she was exclusively breastfeeding. The wedding was adults-only and when she inquired about bringing the infant to the reception so she could feed her, the bride was pretty empathic that they couldn't. She and her husband were in the wedding, so there was no option for her to just decline and stay home. She ended up meeting her parents in the parking lot during the reception, feeding the baby and then going back in. I thought THAT was a bit ridiculous but like I said, that's the only time I've sided with the guests in an adults-only invitation setting. Otherwise, if you can't find a sitter / don't want to find a sitter, don't go. Easy peasy.

 

[tink 13]

Just an idea, but if you happen to know the names and phone #'s of a couple of local baby sitters include it with the invitation. I don't feel you should have to but it might help to get the point through to them.

 

[mombrontrent]

The only time I sided with a guest in an "adults-only" invitation situation was with a friend of mine. Her infant was about 2 months old and she was exclusively breastfeeding. The wedding was adults-only and when she inquired about bringing the infant to the reception so she could feed her, the bride was pretty empathic that they couldn't. She and her husband were in the wedding, so there was no option for her to just decline and stay home. She ended up meeting her parents in the parking lot during the reception, feeding the baby and then going back in. I thought THAT was a bit ridiculous but like I said, that's the only time I've sided with the guests in an adults-only invitation setting. Otherwise, if you can't find a sitter / don't want to find a sitter, don't go. Easy peasy.

I agree that adults only mean adults only. However if I was in that situation I would not be attending the wedding let alone be apart of it. If the bride to be couldn't bend the rules for am exclusively breastfeeding bridesmaid I would not want to be a part of that wedding.

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

One family member did a kids-free wedding, and it was great. She was very careful with the wording, that didn't directly say no children, it was more along the lines of parents get a night out, with free babysitting.

She went out of her way to make up a special kids movie-night invitation for the kids. She hired two moms to babysit all the kids/cousins. They had a movie night with popcorn, snacks, slushies, etc.

I could easily see thing being arranged for your party. Either in a room within the facility or a location near-by.

 

[RadioNate]

I don't know why people are always trying to bring kids to adult only events. I find the ones who complain loudest about their kids not being invited are the ones with the brattiest kids.

Hire a sitter or don't go. That simple. And the whole provide a sitter thing is kinda non-sense too. Parents (and I am one) should be able to find a way to manage care for their children. I've had out of town weddings to attend that my kids aren't invited to. I've had my parents come to sit, brought the kids into town & hired a local recommended sitter or simply not gone to the event. I've never been offended and half the time my kids don't even want to go.

 

[DWGal210]

I agree that adults only mean adults only. However if I was in that situation I would not be attending the wedding let alone be apart of it. If the bride to be couldn't bend the rules for am exclusively breastfeeding bridesmaid I would not want to be a part of that wedding.

I wouldn't either. One detail I forgot to add - the wedding was this past winter, they are already getting divorced.