A mum has sparked a debate on whether it's bad party etiquette for a parent to take siblings along to a party only one child has been invited to.
The woman said she was pregnant with her second baby and wondered, if the first one was invited to friends' birthday parties, if it would be ok for her to take the other child.
Posting on a Reddit parenting forum, she said: "Parents who bring all siblings to a party one is invited to...Genuinely curious on the thought process here, anyone who does this willing to defend their position that an invite for one kid means an invite for all?
"To clarify- I’m talking about parties like rollerskating, swimming, etc where the host pays per head. And also parties where the parent drops the child(ren) off and leaves.
"My daughter is three and we’re soon expecting another. I’m sure these kind of parties are around the corner for us and wondering about etiquette, etc."
The post received hundreds of divided responses with some saying it was ok and others saying it was bad manners.
One said she would always check first - and pay for the siblings. She said: "In situations where I have to bring an uninvited child, I reach out to the parents first and explain the situation. I also clarify that I will pay for the uninvited child. We try to stay in a separate area of the party if it is at a place like skating or bowling."
Another agreed: "Yep this is exactly what we do and what others have done when I’m hosting the party.
"There’s usually heaps of food available at my parties and I make extra party bags for the guests so I don’t expect the sibling to be completely excluded from the party.
"I definitely do appreciate them paying for their extra child though."
But another disagreed, saying even this solution brings issues. She said: "Honestly, this can be problematic as well. The issue is that you are most likely not the only one making this request, and if the host OKs it for one they have to OK it for all."
Another said sometimes it is unavoidable. She said: 'You have to ask unless you are so close to the parents and their families that there’s an understanding. If there are two parents in the family only one kid goes. If not like others have said pay for the uninvited kid and hang out nearby by not totally in the party but always with the hosting family knowing and saying it’s ok."
One mum who has an only child, says she is mindful to always invite siblings. She said: "My daughter is an only child so I won’t ever have the sibling issue pop up, but I always make sure to let her friends’ parents know that siblings are always welcome."
But another said it can get too expensive if too many kids come along. he said: 'I've had this happen and let it go, but I don't think it's unreasonable for people to be upset about it. These destination parties are not cheap."
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