What's the right etiquette when invited to a 6 yr old Bday party?

Question

My son was invited to a classmate's birthday party at Fuddruckers. I have to call and RSVP. I would like to take the rest of my family as we all enjoy going there.

Is this something I should mention to the host?

or just not bring my other kids, and have them stay home?

Or do I bring my family, and we just pay for our own food?

I'd appreciate any advice. Thank you! I wasn't raised in this country, and in our culture, when we get an invitation, the whole family is pretty much invited. I heard things are different here.

Answer 1

I would not bring the whole family unless the hostess offers. Some people may find it offensive. My family is very Southern and would have said "Bring the whole family and the other kids!" But most are not that way. ;)

Answer 2

Just ask.... one party my son went to was just for him and i stayed to watch over him he was only 5yrs old

I asked the hostess if it was a whole family event or just him

best to ask that way  you´ll know ahead

I know if i were the hostess and you asked me I would tell you that all were welcome to come but I would pay for the child  food  and you could pay for your own meals.  I would give everyone cake and ice cream  because I always make a huge cake.

Good luck and have fun

Answer 3

I thinks is best just to take ur son. After all, he was invited by his friend. If the fined doesnt know ur other kids it may be strange for him. Also, how will it look if you go to a birthday party and end up sitting with your own family at another table. To me,thats just rude.

Answer 4

I just had a party for my 6yr. old @ Valley Worlds of Fun I'm sure it's something like Fuddruckers. I did not care if the other family members came along. You should  ask if it's O.K. , but you should pay for your other family members if there is an admission fee to get in. That's what the parents did at my sons party if the brung other sibilings. But I provided them with food,chips, cake and ice. But everybody has a different view on this so I would just ask  when I called to R.S.V.P. Tell her you will cover the extra the cost of them coming if any. She just might tell you it's fine she'll take care of everything but you should make the offer to pay for the extra family members ( I probally would pay for the other sibilings if there was an admission fee even if she said she would) . I think this varies from person to person I don't know if their is truly the right etiquette because everybody views things differently. But you should not just show up with the rest of the family without asking first because that would be rude because I know with my sons party I had treat bags to give out and you feel bad if you don't have enough for every kid that should get one and some times people have a budget they want to stick to. They may not have enough money if she don't know ahead of time. I think you should also ask your son that was invitied to the party if it's O.K. with him because he may not want his other sibiling around maybe he would like to start doing things with his friends that don't include his sibilings and I think at this age they should start to be able to do that some at birthday parties. But he should know that your other childern will be given the same option next time they are invited to a party and so he sould consider if he would like it if they did not let him come to a perty they were invited to. I know at my sons party the place was also open to the public and other parties so if this party is like that you could also take your family and pay like you usually do and hang out seperatly from the party.  I hope this helped But please keep in mind what your son wants too it's nice at this age to give them a little seperation from their sibilings if they want it..

Answer 5

I would speak to the host about bringing your whole family. A lot of times at younger childrens parties, the family does come, but you don't want to take away the attention from the birthday child. You can suggest maybe allowing your child to sit with them and your family and you can sit further away, seperate from the party but still able to observe.

Answer 6

You could ask the host if you and your family can join but in normal circumstances when a child recieves an invitation it is intended for the child only. If your family would like to dine at the restaurant though that is fine as long as you get your own table away from the party. This way you are still at the restaurant but not interfering with the party. A similar situation arose when we had a birthday party at Chuck E Cheese for our daughter's 8th bday. One of the families of an invitee wanted to bring their other children to Chuck E Cheese as well but since these types of parties are expensive and need a head count ahead of time, they just got their own table and their own food for the children not invited to the party.

Answer 7

There is nothing wrong with taking your family and sitting at a different area than where the party is.  But absolutely DO NOT expect the people that invited you to pay for your family's food!  They invited your child, not your whole family.  Go and enjoy dinner with your family while the party is going on, but definitely pay your own check.

Answer 8

Leave the rest of your family at home. Only your child was invited. FAMILY birthday parties are a different story. Those usually involve everybody in your family as well.

Answer 9

I agree with KitKat.  I have had this situation come up before when I held a party for my girls at Chuck E Cheese.  One of the parents had smaller children along with the child who was invited.  When the mother called to RSVP, she mentioned that she would like to bring her younger ones to CEC as well.  She asked if I minded and let me know that she would be sitting in the regular seating area with the rest of her family and the invited child would be in the party area with the rest of the party goers.  Since it is a party for classmates at a restaurant (instead of at someone's home or a big family party) it is only an invitation for your son and not the entire family.

The parents should not have a problem if the rest of your family wants to enjoy Fuddruckers as well.  The proper etiquette is to drop your son off in the birthday party area, remind him that you will be in the restaurant if he needs you, and let him enjoy his friends and party while you and your family enjoy the yummy food that you pay for yourself.  This way you are not imposing anyone on the birthday party, are still close by just in case, and are still able to have your family enjoy their dinner with one less child to look after temporarily.  

Good luck to you and I hope this helps!

Answer 10

I wouldn't bring the whole family unless you were 1) all invited or 2) your entire family is friends with the family hosting the party. If you do bring your family you should pay for your own food.

Answer 11

If you do go..sit at another table away from the party...after all...you and your other children were not invited. If you want..tell the host that you will be sticking around at another table until the party is over.

Answer 12

Generally it's considered bad manners to invite other family members along.  I'd say take your son and go as a family another time.