https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:35:56 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-etiquette-do-you-let-the-younger-sibling-tag-along#post-2433895 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 21:47:48 +0000 regberadaisy 2433895@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When DD1 got invited to a 3rd birthday party from daycare I assumed her baby sister was NOT invited. DH was going to watch DD2 but had to work last minute. We asked my inlaws to watch her instead. If not, then we would've asked if it was Ok to bring her. </p> <p>We're inviting some daycare friends to DD1's 4th birthday. There are occupancy limits in the party room. So I'm going to be pretty explicit about who's invited and who's not. If someone asks, it'll have to be a case by case basis, depending on if there is room. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-etiquette-do-you-let-the-younger-sibling-tag-along#post-2421956 Thu, 14 Jan 2016 13:35:27 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2421956@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm going to go with this rule of thumb boob/ bottle fed babes that are attached to mom and dad can go without a heads up. If the younger sibling would feel left out of the activity or get in the way of the activity or require food/cake/goodie bag then I will ask if they can accomodate.</p> <p>I doubt I would ever get a sitter just for my LO to attend a party, but if I'm comfortable with the party situation I can see dropping off a small LO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-etiquette-do-you-let-the-younger-sibling-tag-along#post-2421951 Thu, 14 Jan 2016 13:34:27 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2421951@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If the entire family isn't invited, I would ask first and wouldn't bring another sibling along without explicit permission. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-etiquette-do-you-let-the-younger-sibling-tag-along#post-2421941 Thu, 14 Jan 2016 13:31:30 +0000 mauxie 2421941@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I find most parents at our daycare invite the entire family (they'll actually write out all our first names) so that's been nice. I always find it awkward asking if LO2 and both parents can attend. When we invite, we assume everyone is coming and will usually write "XX family." Some parents are kind enough to still ask/confirm via email or in person if all can attend. I think with school friends at age 3-4, younger siblings tagging along are a given bc I def wouldn't want to find a sitter just for a kid's bday party, and weekends are usually family time... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-etiquette-do-you-let-the-younger-sibling-tag-along#post-2421933 Thu, 14 Jan 2016 13:27:51 +0000 Andrea 2421933@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would ask first, but it's not always appropriate for DD2 to tag along. We've been to several sports parties where DD2 is too young for the activity. So I can't exactly bring her to a party and say hey, you have to just sit there so we either have to turn those down or I need a sitter/DH.</p> <p>ETA - this is why drop off parties are nice once they're old enough. DD1 has a party tomorrow and DD2 isn't invited, but it's drop off so there's no issue. DD2 won't be happy about it, but that'll be my problem to deal with, lol. DD1 can happily go off and enjoy the party. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-etiquette-do-you-let-the-younger-sibling-tag-along#post-2421917 Thu, 14 Jan 2016 13:23:39 +0000 rachiecakes 2421917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For a baby I wouldn't mind. But if you're bringing an older child that would need food/goodie bag/ticket/etc., I would ask first.<br /> I didn't mind that the preschool parents brought the siblings to J's party, but we would've rented a third bowling lane. And it would've been nice to give the place the correct head count. I felt bad having quite a few extras.</p> <p>ETA - I'm the last mom at pick up, so I don't know any of the families and didn't know who had siblings and who didn't. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-etiquette-do-you-let-the-younger-sibling-tag-along#post-2421875 Thu, 14 Jan 2016 13:06:17 +0000 pinkcupcake 2421875@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i say if there's no other convenient way to attend the party, bring the younger sibling with you. I did get majorly stressed planning our bday party last year because I assumed it would just be one parent +'invited child (plus maybe a sibling if the other parent couldn't watch them). A few parents asked if it would be OK to bring a younger sibling and without really thinking, I said yes - and it really added up!! I was pretty surprised when the majority of families all RSVPed yes - with the whole Fam (parents, both or all three sibs). I had to scramble around to find a bigger venue last minute</p> <p>But now that I have an idea that at least at this age, a bday party means the whole family will likely come, I just budget and plan accordingly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-etiquette-do-you-let-the-younger-sibling-tag-along#post-2421870 Thu, 14 Jan 2016 13:04:07 +0000 Adira 2421870@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Xander just got invited to a party and I asked if it was okay to bring Logan. They said yes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-etiquette-do-you-let-the-younger-sibling-tag-along#post-2421865 Thu, 14 Jan 2016 13:01:53 +0000 HabesBabe 2421865@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For preschool friends, I usually go with C alone. If it's for a real friend (like, our adult friends and their kids), we go as a family. </p> <p>If I'm on the fence, I ask the parents throwing the party-- my little guy is only 1, so when we go to a venue (jump house place, children's museum) for parties, he's usually free and doesn't count towards the total headcount. On the other hand, if my son comes, my husband would, too, so that's another person that gets added on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-etiquette-do-you-let-the-younger-sibling-tag-along#post-2421856 Thu, 14 Jan 2016 12:58:58 +0000 Mamaof2 2421856@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't pay a sitter - either I ask if its ok to bring the other one due to DH not being around or I decline </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-etiquette-do-you-let-the-younger-sibling-tag-along#post-2421850 Thu, 14 Jan 2016 12:57:21 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 2421850@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our oldest (almost 4) has been invited to a few birthday parties for her classmates. It's SO much easier to have my 22 month old to tag along than trying to find a babysitter (when DH has other things going on). </p> <p>Do you usually try to find a sitter for the sibling, or just let them tag along? </p>