Child's B-day party: how to state on invitation adults pay extra?

[bethyg]

Having our DS's 5th b-day party at our local children's museum. The party package for the children invited includes their admission. Should parents want to accompany their child to the party (which at age 5 at least one parent would probably come with child) it is $3 for their admission (discounted from $5) and $4.50 if siblings would like to attend.

The lady at the children's museum says usually they advise to write on the invitation that this invitation includes the invited child's admission to the museum. Any additional adults would be $3 and additional children would be $4.50.

She says most parents do this, otherwise you're paying $3 extra for each parent that comes with the child and can get quite expensive.

How have you handled things like this for your children? Examples of how you informed the child's parents of the extra cost. We should have plenty of cake so any parent or sibling that stays will have some, but can't afford to pay for 15 parents and any extra siblings that come along.

 

[Pigeon]

I wouldn't. I'd either be prepared to pay for everyone, or I'd have the party elsewhere, because I think that with 5 year olds, you'd have to expect that many would need a parent to stay with them.

 

[bethyg]

Okay, does it sound appropriate to pay the $3 admission for 1 adult to accompany the child, but mention on the invitation any additional adults would be $3 and additional children $4.50?

Now that I think about it, it would be appropriate for us to pay for each child to have an adult....I fear if not stated upfront, we might get into a bind paying for extra people. Again, plenty of cake. The money would be admission to the children's museum.

How to word this???

 

[lillygator]

I wouldn't. I'd either be prepared to pay for everyone, or I'd have the party elsewhere, because I think that with 5 year olds, you'd have to expect that many would need a parent to stay with them.

I agree.

If I am throwing the party then I will foot the bill.

 

[TheRatPack]

We've never had the party for my two children at a place where the parents had to pay either, unless we paid for them as well as their children. When they are older, we thought it would be a nice 'drop off' kind of party idea at the movies or other places. I don't like the idea of making a parent pay admission to a party for my child. Just not something I ever felt comfortable doing for my two kids, and nothing that we've encountered with being invited to their friends parties either.

I would just take the party planners advice and put it on the invitation, and expect many of them to want to stay since the children are younger.

 

[drivencrazy]

Just write........

This includes one child and one parent. If others would like to come it will be, $3 for the adult and $4.50 per child.

Put it somewhere close to the RSVP and when they call or talk to you about coming, you can also ask if they plan on staying and if they are bringing others or not... that way you make sure to have enough cake and drinks. And you know about how many people you will have.

Remember that not all parents will want to stay for the party, even with having a 5 yr old. Depends on the child and how well they know you and there thoughts about it.

Sounds like fun! Enjoy the party!

 

[mama2ella]

If it were me-

I would write the invites as you normally would.

Then include a seperate slip of paper that has the directions to the museum and a statement that 1 child and 1 adult are paid for. Then just say that additional persons will receive a reduced admission rate. (don't include the amts--looks tacky IMO)

Good luck

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

If it were me-

I would write the invites as you normally would.

Then include a seperate slip of paper that has the directions to the museum and a statement that 1 child and 1 adult are paid for. Then just say that additional persons will receive a reduced admission rate. (don't include the amts--looks tacky IMO)

Good luck

I like this idea.

I disagree you should have to pay for both adults and whoever else the child you've invited brings to the party (siblings). If one adult and one child is included in the price, anyone else that comes should pay their own way.
I would never expect the person who's giving the party to pay for my other child I might have to bring, or myself.........

 

[Hannathy]

I wouldn't even pay for 1 adult. Around here parents don't go with their kids especially at 5. If you want I would include the prices with the invites and leave it at that. You are only responsible for the child you are inviting. If I had to pay for a parent my kids would never have a party. My Son went to at least 6 parties when he was 5 and no parent stayed at any.

IMO this parents going to everything is getting crazy.

 

[rdsx28]

When I was deciding on my daughter's birthday I thought I might have it at the movie theatre until I found out that it would be Regular price tickets for any adult or extra child that cam e and we were inviting the whole class of 22.I decided against it.For your museum party I agree you have to pay for at least one adult to attend.Maybe you could make your invitation an admission ticket and state this is admission for "jane" and one adult and then note on the bottom that additional guests would be whatever price. Just a thought.

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

I wouldn't even pay for 1 adult. Around here parents don't go with their kids especially at 5. If you want I would include the prices with the invites and leave it at that. You are only responsible for the child you are inviting. If I had to pay for a parent my kids would never have a party. My Son went to at least 6 parties when he was 5 and no parent stayed at any.

IMO this parents going to everything is getting crazy.

Sorry, I don't agree. My DS9 and DD9 have been to many many parties at that age, and Moms stay. I agree with the others who wrote that you should expect to pay for 1 adult.

 

[okeydokey]

I would never have a party for 5 year olds and expect parents to pay their own way. If you prefer the parents not attend, could you provide transportation to the kids so the parents wouldn't have to be there. If you expect the parents to stay and supervise their child, then I would pay for them.

 

[bbmommy]

If it were me-

I would write the invites as you normally would.

Then include a seperate slip of paper that has the directions to the museum and a statement that 1 child and 1 adult are paid for. Then just say that additional persons will receive a reduced admission rate. (don't include the amts--looks tacky IMO)

Good luck

I agree, I think you could also state....Parents please feel free to drop off your child and enjoy the few hours to yourself. I wish I would have done that for my DD party. I had mom's standing around talking so loudly and their own children misbehave when parents are there and do not do anything about their behavior.
Good Luck!

 

[MickeyP]

We have a children's museum, but they don't charge for parents of partygoers. Are they charging for you?

 

[rdsx28]

I must say that as a parent I would never leave my 5 year old by herself at a birthday party and many of my friends feel the same way. I think that is alot to ask of a parent to try and watch in my case 20 or so children and be responsible for each one and their needs. When you choose to have a party not in your home you must be willing to pay the extra expense of paying for parents it's only fair. I had my daughter's party at our local bowling alley and although parents were welcome as well as siblings I only had to pay by the lane I believe it was $25.00. I brought my own cake and snacks and sent out for pizza. I was even able to let the siblings bowl at no extra cost because it was by the lane.20 children showed up with their parents at least one and siblings as well and we had a wonderful time and my daughter turned 7.Have a great party!

 

[dismom301930]

I have lots of experience with parties for that age group. It is an interesting age because it's not usually clear whether parents will stay with their child or just drop the child off. Even at parties at my house, I am never sure what to expect. In my experience, about half the parents stay.

Since it seems that you are giving parents a choice of whether of not to stay, I think it should be stated on the invitation (or accompanying instructions) that it is optional. If I received an invitation that stated that the admission included one child and one parent, I would presume that a parent MUST stay at the party.

Have a great party! Sounds like fun!

 

[mickeyfan2]

I would want the help of the other parents. I would pay for the parent too. I would put on the invite that the kid and one parent is invited.

 

[hollyb]

You pay for everyone. Very tacky to make anyone pay. Same for food and any siblings that will be coming. I have never been to a childrens party where the adults had to pay.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

I would definately pay for the child invited and 1 parent. Then write on a seperate paper included in the invite about additional guests. LOur childrens museum is the same way, and since our kids are still small, there would be more adults than children, so we are putting that on hold until they are old enough to just invite friends and that would be all that showed up

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

You pay for everyone. Very tacky to make anyone pay. Same for food and any siblings that will be coming. I have never been to a childrens party where the adults had to pay

I agree about paying for a parentt o come, but i think it's tacky that people would bring siblings of the child that was invited. Do people really do this??