I’m a mum & I hate tag-along kids – it’s not fair I have to pay for them, so I make it very clear they aren’t invited
A MUM has sparked a debate after revealing how she strongly dislikes parents bringing tag-along children to her kids birthday parties.
She explained she felt it was not fair on her or the child and also disagrees with having to fork out on the uninvited guest too.
The action angered her so much that she took to online forum Mumsnet to express her thoughts about it.
She also asked other parents what their thoughts were, and if she was being unreasonable with her views.
She titled the post: “AIBU [Am I being unreasonable] to not like people bringing other children who are not invited to a party?”
The mum then asked other Mumsnet users: “If you were having, say, 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?”
She then continued by explaining why she would disagree with it.
The mum wrote: “It would really piss 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.
“I’d think that it wouldn’t be fair on said child because they wouldn’t know the person whose party it is.”
The mum then emphasised on the fact that she wouldn’t like to fork out on the additional “unwanted” guest.
She added: “Probably gets worse when the uninvited ones expect party bags and food.”
One parent expressed their thoughts by writing: “There is a woman in my child’s class who has four children and all four children seem to be at every party this child is invited to.
“The dad is not at pick up or drop off any day so he must be around at weekends but still, it seems the children must all come along.
“It irritates me every time, although I am assuming she’s asked and been told it’s fine.
I’d think that it wouldn’t be fair on said child because they wouldn’t know the person whose party it is
Mumsnet user
“To add, I also have a younger child and before my eldest was at drop and go age I always made sure I had someone to watch her or pay her in separately and bought food etc where it was a soft play type party.”
Another parent, who has been guilty of doing this, explained how they got around the issue.
They wrote: “I have been guilty of bringing my other child to parties in the past but only ever at soft play/places where I could pay extra admission.
“I never expect anyone to provide food/party bags for the extra child.
“Having said that, whenever I have a party I always make sure I have a few spare party bags to allow for additional little passengers.”
A third parent added: “I think it depends on the venue/ age of the kids.
Average kid's birthday cost for parents
According to a new study from the UK’s leading money-saving brand, Voucher Cloud, has revealed that over two thirds of British parents throw their children a birthday party every single year - and the costs can be high.
- Average spend on party – £320.50
- Average spend on presents – £175.80
“It seems pretty standard for siblings to be welcome at soft play/village hall style parties here.
“But these are whole class parties with younger kids who are not at the drop and go age. The siblings in two are invariably babies/ toddlers so cannot easily be left.
“But YANBU [you are not being unreasonable] at the tag-along friends or assumption of food/ party bags.
“Also, I think this would be different if it were a more limited number/ we’re not talking about babies in arms.”