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No, I wouldn't assume siblings/both parents are invited since parties at museums/jump places/zoos usually have limits. I would ask for more info!

@CatchAFallingStar: same opinion. Parties are expensive!!

@Boogs: I would assume one parent, one child. Museums are pricey and I wouldn't want to be paying for second adults, as well as siblings.

@Boogs: I would try to go with just the invited child and one parent, unless sibling was under 2

In my case if DD was invited and DH was working I would RSVP and let the family know I would have my 12 week old DS too

It wouldn't even occur to me that your whole family would be invited. Asking if you can bring an extra kid to a venue that charges per person (and a party that includes a meal) is really putting stress on the party thrower, so I personally wouldn't ask. If it's not possible to go without both kids I would decline the invitation.

I just had someone ask if they could bring the younger sibling and I said sure. I knew that we'd still be under the allowed head count so it wouldn't cost me anything extra. I appreciate them asking though!

I'd assume it was for DS1 and one parent, since it's from a classmate

If it was from a close family friend/relative then I'd assume it was for the entire family.

@Boogs: I feel like the variety of responses you've gotten means 1) you've got to ask for clarification (I really don't think that would put the hosts in an awkward position), and 2) everybody needs to get better at addressing/giving invitations. Clarity is important! You know what they say about making assumptions...

As an aside, I think it's a bit impolite to invite only one parent. It would be rude to invite only half of a married couple to any other social event, so why are birthday parties different? Perhaps there's something I'm missing here. I feel like I'm usually the only parent who is not accompanied by my spouse at most parties (because he often can't make it on Saturdays due to work), so it's not like it's standard practice to have only one parent attend, at least in my area.

@Mrs. Blue: I agree on drop off parties. The idea of having responsibility for a bunch of young children who aren't mine and who are all hopped up on cake for several hours sounds...not so fun. But when my son was 5 we started to have to decide what to do about drop off parties because others were inviting him to them.

@Mrs. Blue: @honeybear: regarding drop-off parties...I would hope that in the case of a venue party, there would be party hosts who were dealing with all those extra kids! My DDs have been to a few at places like My Gym/Gymboree/JumpU where there are "coaches" in the gymnastics/play/bouncy area, and the parents are expected to remain at the venue (the oldest bday party we've been to is for a 4 year old), but not actively supervise the activity.

@honeybear: here's how I see it for a kid's birthday I think the child is really the invited guest, but just so happens needs to be accompanied by an adult. I understand why parents may want to go together, but the activity isn't for them. From the few kiddie parties I have attended I have seen a mix of solo parent chaperones and couples, but in all cases the family was invited.

@Boogs: yeah, an addressed envelope would have been really nice in this situation.

Unless the invite is address to both (or parents say both can go), I never assume both are invited.

@Boogs: we have usually seen that parents are free but you are paying per child attendee. We have some daycare friends where both parents almost always come, but most bring one parent.

We had an invite a few months back where dh was working so it was either me and both kids or no one. So I texted the mom and let her know. I told her I understood about paying per head and was fine either way. She said it was fine to bring our 1 year old and he had a blast. This was at one of those jumping places.