Chuck E Cheese B-Day Invitation Wording: Siblings & Food

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I would do Thursday night, and invite the child only, let the parents know when they drop them off, to go enjoy their time alone. I know where I live, CEC is located near very populated areas with malls, stores, and even a coffee shops. Most parents with a 7yo will be grateful for you letting them know it is okay for them to leave. Definetely invite only the child, no siblings or parents unless it is close family. And I agree Thursday evening is better. DD's friend works at CEC and Sunday morning is terrible... She says the "church-goers" start the meanest fights... And yes, our CEC has been threatened to be closed, and NO I do not live in a bad area. CEC just brings out the worse in parents.

 

[daleswife]

I'm with Lollipop on this one. Just invite the kids to the party and state that there will be chaperones on hand to supervise. If a parent does not feel that the supervision is adequate, or CEC is too crazy of a place, then he/she can choose NOT to send their child.

Maybe I'm missing something here, but when did it become the norm for parents to attend their child's parties??? Every party that I have had for my sons has been chaperoned by myself, DH, and friends or relatives. No parents or siblings have been invited. Too expensive!

It became the norm when it got unsafe for parents to leave their children with people at a crowded pizza place that has games and the kids are running around wild. I know that CEC is suppose to be a safe place and all but you never know what could happen. I wouldn't drop off my child at a party and leave her or him there for a few hours.

And I may be the only one on this board to feel this way, and maybe its the way I was brought up, but when I have a bday party for my DD or my DS I know that anyone who comes will be fed. If you cannot feed everyone in your childs class, then ask the child who her closest friends are and just invite them. But dont be all ticked off when someone brings their younger bro/sis just because you dont want to spare a slice of pizza and a drink.

 

[nena]

Did you know that there are CEC coupons on Hi-C juice boxes? They are $18.99 you get 1 lg pizza, 4 drinks and 30 tokens. Also check online...just google CEC coupons. Or sign up on their website and they usually email you coupons w/ in a few days. I usually get one for $19.99 = pizza, drinks and tokens.

GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN!!

 

[nena]

http://dealspl.us/chuckecheese-coupons

Try this! It has a coupon for $18.99. If it doesnt work then pm me your email and I will forward it to you.

 

[jt'smom]

I would rather have my eyeballs plucked out than have the parents drop their kids off at CEC party.

having only one child, i don't understand why someone would bring siblings to a birthday party that their kid was invited to, but it's happened with us and i've always just included the extras in. as far as the parents wanting to join in, then just bring extra hats to put on them if they feel that strongly about being part of the celebration!!!

 

[KibbyCat]

Well, if they are rude enough to bring siblings that aren't invited, I think you can be "rude enough" to not feed them. Sorry but that grates on my nerves when people just bring along people that aren't invited, and expect the host to pay for them.

With that said, I have had two CEC parties and the parents that brought siblings sat in another area and bought the siblings their own food and tokens.

I would address the invitation to the child that is invited. Then maybe put a blurb in that drop off and pick up time are xxx, and if the parent plans on staying, please let me know so I can plan accordingly for food. That way you know if they are bringing tom dick and harry along with them.

Well said.

 

[delmar411]

here's my 2cents for whatever it's worth.

Limit your DS to the number of friends that fit in your car. Invite those friends and collect them from school on his birthday. Then take them immediately over to CEC and let them play games, run around, etc. Then order a pizza and let them eat. Then let them play some more. On the way back home stop for ice cream at an ice cream place and then drop each boy off at home. Fed, tired and ready to go for the next day.

I've done that exact party and it was a lot of fun for the kids and tons less work for me. And it's one of DD's favorite parties ever.

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

here's my 2cents for whatever it's worth.

Limit your DS to the number of friends that fit in your car. Invite those friends and collect them from school on his birthday. Then take them immediately over to CEC and let them play games, run around, etc. Then order a pizza and let them eat. Then let them play some more. On the way back home stop for ice cream at an ice cream place and then drop each boy off at home. Fed, tired and ready to go for the next day.

I've done that exact party and it was a lot of fun for the kids and tons less work for me. And it's one of DD's favorite parties ever.

I like your idea!

The nicest wording so far I've seen OP is the address it to the child and say parents if you plan to attend please let me know so I know how much food to have. That gives the hint you're doing a head count and then you'll know about siblings and such.

 

[KibbyCat]

OP, again

Wow, who knew life was so difficult, lol.

Maybe I'll hint, hard, at the drop off idea and most of my issues will be solved. In past years, age 5 & 6 yr old parties, the parents stayed with their kids - at bowling alleys, little gym, CeC. But maybe 7 is where the cord is cut?
Yes, with e-vite - bulk invites go to email address & not specific people.
anyways would this work?

Come help James celebrate his 7th birthday.
This is an informal party - we'll be at regular tables.
Drop offs are welcomed.
Please RSVP by xxx.

This way I can avoid the whole who feeds who issue altogether?

Actually, you CAN enter names on evite. Just separate the email addresses with a carriage return, so that they are on one line each. Then, before the email address, put the invited child's name in.

For example:

Johnny <j1234@mail.com>
Preston <lovelyladylocks@mymail.net>
AJ <smithfamily@ourmail.com>
etc.

When you are making your evite, you have a chance to preview it, so you can look before submitting to make sure it shows up as planned. My evites always go out with the invited child's name (and the parent's email address is hidden), which makes it super easy to tell who's responded when I get an RSVP.

Good luck!

By the way, I've done both the "package" party and a walk-in using email coupons. For us, the walk-in party was more enjoyable, since we're not being rushed by the party host to eat, have cake, do presents, etc. I know that's part of their job responsibilities, but it got really annoying, especially when my older kids didn't even care about dancing with Chuck-E or having everyone sing to them. (They'd rather scarf down the food and spend most of the party time playing games.) Plus, it is WAY more value for your money. (What 7-year-old wants a stupid inflatable crown and cheap plastic "Birthday Star" medal anyway?!)

 

[Marshay]

here's my 2cents for whatever it's worth.

Limit your DS to the number of friends that fit in your car. Invite those friends and collect them from school on his birthday. Then take them immediately over to CEC and let them play games, run around, etc. Then order a pizza and let them eat. Then let them play some more. On the way back home stop for ice cream at an ice cream place and then drop each boy off at home. Fed, tired and ready to go for the next day.

I've done that exact party and it was a lot of fun for the kids and tons less work for me. And it's one of DD's favorite parties ever.

I really like this idea, too. Less crowded than a weekend, no need to worry about siblings/parents and prob more fun for the kids since they can actually hang out together. I'm gonna copy that for a future party! Thanks!

 

[unlimiteddisney]

I dont think adults care about CEC pizza. I have attended numerous parties at CEC and the adults are offered soem if tehre is leftovers. Invite who you can afford, leave out the adults and add the siblings. If you cant afford the siblings, then put the childs name only. Rude of that parent to expect you to feed their child who was not invited.

 

[zoemurr]

having only one child, i don't understand why someone would bring siblings to a birthday party that their kid was invited to, but it's happened with us and i've always just included the extras in. as far as the parents wanting to join in, then just bring extra hats to put on them if they feel that strongly about being part of the celebration!!!

I would try very hard not to bring a sibling either, but especially if it was the older one that was invited then what would I do? DH works long hours, and we have no family around. Now am I expected to hire a sitter to go spend a few hours somewhere I really don't want to go and not even be fed?

We went to one CEC party and I thoght it was very stressful just trying to watch my own kids. There was really no interaction with the birthday child, and didn't feel at all like a party. To me it's not fair to say, "Yeah, come watch your own kid for 2 hours at this crazy place and find somewhere else for your other one." There is no way I would leave a 7 year old there as there is no way for an adult to supervise more than 2 kids. Free pizza and tokens are great, but I think it is quite an imposition to have a party where the parents feel they need to stay.

Sorry, but not my idea of a good time.

There are so many other cool party ideas now..

 

[rantnnravin]

I would try very hard not to bring a sibling either, but especially if it was the older one that was invited then what would I do? DH works long hours, and we have no family around. Now am I expected to hire a sitter to go spend a few hours somewhere I really don't want to go and not even be fed?

We went to one CEC party and I thoght it was very stressful just trying to watch my own kids. There was really no interaction with the birthday child, and didn't feel at all like a party. To me it's not fair to say, "Yeah, come watch your own kid for 2 hours at this crazy place and find somewhere else for your other one." There is no way I would leave a 7 year old there as there is no way for an adult to supervise more than 2 kids. Free pizza and tokens are great, but I think it is quite an imposition to have a party where the parents feel they need to stay.

Sorry, but not my idea of a good time.

There are so many other cool party ideas now..

and that is why one always has the option to DECLINE an invitation.
It is RUDE to bring extra children to a party without so much as a mention during the RSVP call such as : "I don't really have anyone to watch Susie, would it be ok if I brought her along?" Then, if the budget is so suer tight that the host or hostess can't swing it, they can politely explain that the budget/space is limited and, again, there is always that option to decline.
I have NEVER expected to be fed at a b-day party I've brought my child to. AFAIC, the party is for the children, I'm just the driver; and, I can fend for myself.

 

[zoemurr]

and that is why one always has the option to DECLINE an invitation.
It is RUDE to bring extra children to a party without so much as a mention during the RSVP call such as : "I don't really have anyone to watch Susie, would it be ok if I brought her along?" Then, if the budget is so suer tight that the host or hostess can't swing it, they can politely explain that the budget/space is limited and, again, there is always that option to decline.
I have NEVER expected to be fed at a b-day party I've brought my child to. AFAIC, the party is for the children, I'm just the driver; and, I can fend for myself.

I guess we agree to disagree. I think it is rude to have a party where you expect the parents to stay when you know it may be difficult for them. I have had a few parties where I thought it was better for parents to stay, and I called and talked it out with them before anything was really set to see who was ok with it.

Of course I would call and explain that I had no one to watch my other one, but I can't imagine anyone saying, "OK, then don't come." They would feel obligated to include the sibling. I try very hard not to decline invites as I know my kids are always sad when someone can't come to their party.

I would never ever bring a sibling without it being discussed first. But CEC is awkward 'cause if I only had one kid and myself now I would have to order a whole pie to keep that kid happy (because you wanted me to stay) and now your party is costing me $.

Glad we're past those days..

 

[mjkacmom]

and that is why one always has the option to DECLINE an invitation.
It is RUDE to bring extra children to a party without so much as a mention during the RSVP call such as : "I don't really have anyone to watch Susie, would it be ok if I brought her along?" Then, if the budget is so suer tight that the host or hostess can't swing it, they can politely explain that the budget/space is limited and, again, there is always that option to decline.
I have NEVER expected to be fed at a b-day party I've brought my child to. AFAIC, the party is for the children, I'm just the driver; and, I can fend for myself.

I bring younger siblings to CEC parties, but they don't enter the party room - and I buy them food and give them tokens. I figure if I'm going to be tortured at CEC for 2 hours, I might as well throw my kids a bone and let them go to CEC. I don't think it's wrong to bring siblings to public places like CEC, bowling, ice skating, etc., and long as you don't expect the host to pay their way. Now, private parties, such as gymnastics, dance, inflatables (our's aren't public), I find sitters for my other kids, or ask a friend to bring my child to the party. I wouldn't expect them to be included, and they'd be bored watching.

 

[mjkacmom]

I would never ever bring a sibling without it being discussed first. But CEC is awkward 'cause if I only had one kid and myself now I would have to order a whole pie to keep that kid happy (because you wanted me to stay) and now your party is costing me $.

Glad we're past those days..

Why do you have to order a whole pie? There is a snack bar, or you could feed the child ahead of time. I've brought siblings (and you can see from my siggy that many times I had a need to), but I didn't even tell the host they were there - just took them to the snack bar area, just as I would've if weren't there for a party.

 

[fakereadhed]

I think the OP was just trying to stick to her budget. She never implied that she wouldn't be gracious if siblings showed up she was just trying to avoid an uncomfortable situation.

 

[Leajess99]

OP, again

Wow, who knew life was so difficult, lol.

Maybe I'll hint, hard, at the drop off idea and most of my issues will be solved. In past years, age 5 & 6 yr old parties, the parents stayed with their kids - at bowling alleys, little gym, CeC. But maybe 7 is where the cord is cut?

My youngest is about to turn 7 and there is no way I would just drop her off for a birthday party. I don't expect the parent to feed me or my other children BUT I will be at the party with/near her. You just never know when a child may have an allergic reaction to food or in my daughter's case, an asthma attack.

As for CEC on Sunday mornings, I have yet to have an issue with it being busy but we are also there as soon as it opens.

 

[Leajess99]

having only one child, i don't understand why someone would bring siblings to a birthday party that their kid was invited to, but it's happened with us and i've always just included the extras in. as far as the parents wanting to join in, then just bring extra hats to put on them if they feel that strongly about being part of the celebration!!!

Some parents just do not have any other option but to bring the sibling or the invited child cannot attend.

 

[princessmom29]

I think it is rude to specifically state no siblings, or that sibling must pay thier own way. Mabye it is a southern thing, but I was always taught it was rude to show up to anyone's party uninvited, even if my sister was invited, and I would hope that parents would understand that only the child/ children included in the invitation were invited. If I know that the child I am inviting has a sibling close in age I usually include them in the invite, because I feel it is the polite thing to do. That being said, there will always be those that will bring uninviited siblings. I have rarely seen a parent bring a sibling that was not on the invite to a party and not at least offer to pay for the child. I would personally never refuse to allow a child, even an uninvited one, to participate in a party. It is not fair to the child to exclude them because their parent did something rude. This is just my personal take on the situation.