Only inviting friends with children to a gathering/party for your child's birthday?

Goldiegirl

I don't have children and that is my choice.

I've been to gatherings which are for adults and children, whether it's family or friends, and have enjoyed seeing people of all ages.

However, I've never been invited to a child's party. It's never even crossed my mind that somebody would invite me to a child's party.

I can't see the attraction of a load of over excited kids running around making a helleva lot of noise. I've nothing against children enjoying themselves in their own way, but I don't want to be part of it.

I've always thought that children are the guests for children's parties, and adults just happen to be there to look after their kid, if they don't want to leave them there.

Personally, I think you are better off just leaving them to it, and look forward to mixed gatherings another time.

view

Hi... as mentioned quite a few times.... I don't mean a child's party...

have a read of the other posts above and you'll see what I mean..

pigpen

Janepig wrote: »

When my children have had birthday parties, it's other children that are invited, not adults. Obviously the adults (parents) come along to supervise their offspring, but they aren't the ones that are invited. Mine have always had parties for their friends, not mine.

Jx

I'm in this group.. I wouldn't invite childless friends or friends with children, I'd invite the children to a party on a childs birthday.. Adults would be invited for an adults birthday/party.

I fully understand what you are saying but I wouldn't invite you either but you could come to my birthday and OH's.. though we tend to have 'open house' and half the planet and their pets turn up!

Dunroamin

view wrote: »

Hi... as mentioned quite a few times.... I don't mean a child's party...

have a read of the other posts above and you'll see what I mean..

I have to say that I've never come across the sort of child's birthday party you describe; now that you've explained, it makes even less sense.

Hope you sort something out.

Person_one

Dunroamin wrote: »

I have to say that I've never come across the sort of child's birthday party you describe; now that you've explained, it makes even less sense.

Hope you sort something out.

In my experience its quite common for the birthday parties of pre-school children to be for the parents friends and adult family members just as much as for the children. I've been to tons of 1st, 2nd and 3rd birthday parties.

Its once they go to school and the children are old enough to be dropped off and left for a bit that they become just for the children.

JodyBPM

Before my children were old enough to just be inviting school friends and going to soft play or other such child only type activities, I used to invite family and friends over for a birthday party. I would tend to invite people (be they adult or child) that had a particular relationship with my child - so Grannies/grandads/uncles/aunts of child, plus families where our children were friends, plus some other adults who had a particularly strong relationship with the children - ie the ones that regularly saw them/babysat them/that the child would be excited to see. It would be far more about how close *my children* were to the adults than how good friends they were with myself/DH IYSWIM. So it might be that you're not invited not because you're not really good friends of the parents, but because you don't have any particularly special relationship with the child. That's not to suggest that you don't like the child or don't include them etc, but I would say my children certainly regarded some of my/dh's friends as surrogate aunties/uncles who they were excited/delighted to see, where as others they simply though of as mum/dad's friends.

mrbrightside842

My friends have often come to my twins' parties before they had kids. I didn't officially invite them, just mentioned there was a party and they've said they'll come along, or they've even asked when it is so they can come. TBH, if they hadn't brought it up themselves, I wouldn't think to invite them. I don't think it's something I'd want to do if I didn't have kids, but then I would now as they've done it for my kids... I think you should just ask if there's a party and can you pop in. They'd probably be delighted that you want to go, and hadn't thought you'd want to go.

view

Person_one wrote: »

In my experience its quite common for the birthday parties of pre-school children to be for the parents friends and adult family members just as much as for the children. I've been to tons of 1st, 2nd and 3rd birthday parties.

yes this is exactly what I mean.

Person_one wrote: »

Its once they go to school and the children are old enough to be dropped off and left for a bit that they become just for the children.

yes again and these are the ones that I would not be expected to be invited to nor would I have any interest in attending!

fluffnutter

pigpen wrote: »

..you could come to my birthday and OH's.. though we tend to have 'open house' and half the planet and their pets turn up!

I'm not coming if you've invited my cat. I hate him.

view

JodyBPM wrote: »

So it might be that you're not invited not because you're not really good friends of the parents, but because you don't have any particularly special relationship with the child.

I understand what you're saying - however, probably best to go back and read posts above. We are very close to these friends, they are the 'group' for the want of a better word. We are very close to the children, we babysit them and look after them when our friends pop out to do shopping, Christmas/birthday or otherwise. We read stories when they're going to bed.. we go on holidays, lunches, dinners, walks etc.. etc..

yes we are close friends!! :rotfl: