Adult party, but one guest wants to bring kids! - Page 3

Haunted Host · #21 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 07:23 PM

OKHaunting - your post was almost identical to my situation, all the way up to the <1 year-olds.

No kids at our party, period. The invitations state it and I have no problem telling people that it is "Adults Only and Costumes Mandatory". I tell them that if any of them show up in violation of either of these requirements, we'll close the door in their face... no matter the distance they've traveled. I'm not mean or rude about it. I'm just matter-of-fact, and those who know us, know that we'll do it. No one has tested us on either requirement yet. Actually, anyone who has made a comment to me about has said that they're relieved to have one night to themselves to hang out with friends. Both rules have become very popular especially with those who have no kids. Those who don't want to wear a costume, or don't want to come without their kids simply don't come... and we still had somewhere around 55 people last year. This year figures to be 65+.

Our age rule is if they're old enough to drive (16), they're old enough to drive their intoxicated parents home, so they're allowed.

My oldest brother is the only one that has asked to bring his kids, and he asked if they could stop by 1 hour before so the kids can see the decorations.

The reason I'm such a stickler on the age rule is because I don't want to spend the whole party entertaining kids, and I don't want my guests to have to do the same. I went them to have a good time, not their kids. Also, almost every prop in my house is very breakable and I can't be chasing kids around the house making sure they're not touching anything. If the kids break a favorite, expensive prop, am I supposed ask to be reimbursed, or do I just resent those friends? If I don't allow kids, I don't have to worry about that decision.

We don't have kids yet, but when we do... they're outta here. We'll definitely be getting a sitter for our kids. Some of our friends think that once we have kids that we'll allow other kids, but they're dead wrong.

Haunted Host · #22 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pandora

Most of our "party" lives are devoted to kids' parties: birthdays, graduations, Easter, Christmas, etc. etc. It seems like you're at a kids party every month

BINGO!!! Our party is for the BIG kids.

I have 6 nieces and nephews and I don't need any more kids parties.

Hacknslash · #23 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 07:31 AM

I'm with you as well.

Parents of a little girl, love kids...but have a very firm "no children allowed" rule. Think it is hard to do at a party...we did it on our wedding as well. Had several people try to guilt trip us into bringing their kids...but gave firm, "Sorry, we look forward to seeing you at another event soon."

Your party...your rules. Real friends understand...and it is more than fair in my book!

TheGothicPrincess · #24 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 09:58 AM

I completely agree, being a parent, and a home haunter, there is a time and place for kids. NOT AT MY ADULT PARTY!

Frankie's Girl · #25 (**permalink**) 04-03-2008, 08:22 PM

Whooo - I didn't even remember posting this!

The guy that asked to bring his kids ended up not bringing them, but they only stayed about an hour (and only a few others had shown up by the time they left, so they missed the party!)

BUT a guy that DH works with brought his 15 month old.. granted they were all in costume, but we did have to worry about a toddler underfoot and I was freaked since we'd told Guy A that there were no kids...

so I was embarrassed and DH did pull aside Guy A and told him that we had no idea that the toddler was coming, so we didn't look like we excluded his kids on purpose.

I totally love kids (would love to have a few) but a party with drinking and scary stuff is no place for little ones.

mikeslasher86 · #26 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008, 01:39 PM

I understand where you're coming from... Kids make me uncomfortable at an ADULTS only party. Kids are not supposed to be exposed to alcohol and drunken people anyway. What are they thinking?

Nascar8mom2 · #27 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008, 03:56 PM

Ok i need to put in my 2 cents if you dont mind. Every year we also have a Halloween party. On my invitations it reads adult party only (absolutely no kids). This party is meant for adults and adults only! If someone shows up with kids im sorry but you have to go. I know that is mean but let me explain. I send out my invitations 8 weeks in advance that should give you plenty of time to find a sitter. I have 2 teen boys myself and they have their plans all laid out by the time our party is here. This is my kids home and they arent even aloud at the party (unless sick with fever). I plan this party all year long and i want to enjoy what took me a year to plan.
Frankies girl you were not being mean at all when you didnt want kids at your party. I can totally relate my bro in law didnt come last year because they didnt have a sitter. My hubby said oh it's ok bring her. She was 2 years old and i said to hubby UM no cause i dont want to have to worry all night long. If some people get mad because you said no kids then oh well in my opinion. If it were their house and they said no kids would you bring yours? No of course not, some people just have no respect!

hallorenescene · #28 (**permalink**) 04-06-2008, 03:56 AM

we run our kids to their parties and drop them off. we go and pick them up. we give them their time, so do they need to understand it is important for us as adults to have our time as well. i think if we were to stay at their party and be underfoot would dampen all their fun. it is not mean to need common space. kids don't need to be around when there is a drinking party and we all need to get down sometimes at all ages. by all means stand firm, no kids allowed, don't feel bad, and have a great party.

IshWitch · #29 (**permalink**) 04-06-2008, 06:20 PM

I also put no children and costumes mandatory, I've been pretty lucky with the no kids. One year a friend drove 2 hours to come to the party and shows up with her son. I had a couple there who had been quite upset that they couldn't bring their 2 little girls and I was really embarrassed. I saw daggers in her eyes. We made it quite clear to her that we had no idea and were upset ourselves. Actually she then felt sorry for us and gave our other friend the look all night and the other friend has never brought her son again.
heheheh
As for the costume requirement, that's another story! I gave up putting required on the invites because so many people wouldn't wear them. But it p/o's me so much that I'm putting it back on this year! Bwahahahaha! With a side note that those who don't come in costume will be "costumed" at the door! Years ago someone at my job had a party and the people who came without a costume got Halloween hair spray and makeup put on them at the door. I recently had that memory suddenly come to mind, out of the blue, and it was like BAM that is what I'm gonna do!

I know who to put in charge of it, too. Our youngest son and his g/f, they are 21 and 22 and love Halloween and hate it when people don't get into the spirit.

Haunted Host · #30 (**permalink**) 04-06-2008, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IshWitch

those who don't come in costume will be "costumed" at the door!

We've only had two people in three years come not in costume out of about 120 people. But, I love this idea!! I'm going to buy a series of masks, wigs, old tattered sports coats, and colored hairspray to put in our closet for anyone who doesn't come in costume!!! Awesome, awesome, AWESOME! Thanks for the idea.