‘Entitlement is off the scale!’: Mum divides internet over kids party rule

"Kids need to learn that everything does not revolve around them."

Image: iStock

When you have paid the big bucks to pull together your child’s dream birthday party you really want everything to go as planned.

You get the RSVPs and buy enough food, cake and party bags for your little guests..

But what if after all your meticulous planning, a few parents bring along some extras? The siblings of your kid’s besties who also want in on all the fun - and the food.

How do you feel? Do you over cater just in case - or assume parents wouldn’t make this assumption?

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"Wouldn't it annoy you?"

One mum has posed this very question on a popular parenting forum to get a sense if she is the only parent who doesn’t think extra guests at a kids’ party is okay.

She asks: “If you were having…a birthday party, and you invited the children, but the parent wanted to bring the child's siblings or another tag-along friend, wouldn't it annoy you?”

Before answering her own question and then opening it up to the group.

“It would really p**s me off if someone bought another child who wasn't invited with them, because my kid (unless they somehow were friends or knew each other) would barely know them and I'd think that it wouldn't be fair on said child because they wouldn't know the person whose party it is.”

She goes on to say it “gets worse” when the extra guests - such as siblings - expect food and party bags.

The comments show that while her opinion is highly relatable, a lot of the mums disagree, even confessing their complicity in this scenario.

“I have been guilty of bringing my other child to parties in the past but only ever at soft play or places where I could pay extra admission,” one mum writes.

“I never expect anyone to provide food or party bags for the extra child.

“Having said that whenever I have done a party I always make sure I have a few spare party bags to allow for additional little passengers.”

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"Siblings are welcome at ours"

Another mum believes it depends on the location of the party and the budget. She writes: “It's quite common to do whole class parties here and I've always stated that siblings are welcome at ours.”

“The more the merrier and I always over-cater for food and party bags so it's no bother. I've brought along my younger daughter to parties where the invite has stated siblings welcome. Usually at hired hall type events where the cost is the same regardless. 

“I don't think it's an issue in our circle - it's an affluent area and private school so parents aren't watching the budget.”

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"No, no, no!"

But another mum vehemently disagrees with this approach.

“No, no, no,” she writes clearly. 

“If you have other kids to care for, drop and go.

“If you're expected to stay to help then get child care. If that's impossible, a polite note to the party holder's parents explaining why your kid won't be attending.

“The entitlement to bring another kid is off the scale. Yes, even at a soft play, the sibling will inevitably try and join in.

“Kids need to learn that everything does not revolve around them and that sometimes their sibling is entitled to their own friends and their own socialising.”

It seems the jury is out on this one. What do you think?

Originally published as ‘Entitlement is off the scale!’: Mum divides internet over kids party rule