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Pamela
Beginner February 2020

Adult only or Allow kids

Pamela, on October 9, 2019 at 1:05 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 17

So my dilemma is that one of my Fiance's sisters has a really poorly behaved 2 year old. He won't sit still, screams to all high heaven if he doesn't get his way, and she struggles to keep him from destroying everything in his path. He literally will grab things off of my shelves at my home and throw them across the room before she can catch him. The other two kids in the family are a bit older and much easier to handle. SO... I'm having a REALLY expensive, REALLY fancy wedding & ceremony where there will be lots of beautiful things to grab and throw. I'm also hiring a REALLY expensive videographer for the event and DO NOT want him SCREAMING and ruining my wedding. The biggest dilema is that she has no money as she's a stay at home mom who her dad is supporting her. So how do I say NO KIDS without completely keeping her from coming? This is one of the most stressful parts about my wedding is trying to make sure she handles her kid! UGH

Should I just talk to her and let her know that if she brings him I need them to be REALLY courteous? I'm scared.

17 Comments

Latest activity by Carol, on October 10, 2019 at 3:23 AM
  • Caytlyn
    Legend November 2019
    Caytlyn ·
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    Would you consider hiring on site childcare for her child and potentially other guests children?
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  • Anna
    Super August 2020
    Anna ·
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    If you are saying no to kids then that needs to be a blanket rule. I think if you tell everyone else they can't have kids and then allow hers to come (and a screamer, at that), then others with kids will be resentful.
    Let her (and all others you invite) know that it's an adult only affair and address the invitations with their names only.

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  • Da Mom
    August 2022
    Da Mom ·
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    In this case I would definitely go with no kids. Offer to help pay for a sitter if needed. The news should come from your FH though so as not to cause any issues between you and her.

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  • Jennifer
    VIP August 2021
    Jennifer ·
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    I would tell her it is adults only, and keep to that. If you feel like she won't come because she can;t find childcare, offer to help her find a sitter, even offer to help pay for a sitter if needed!

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  • MrsD
    Legend July 2019
    MrsD ·
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    Is she a parent who is fully aware of how rambunctious her son is? Or a parent who thinks the behavior is normal and let's the kid scream and yell 24/7? If she is aware, could you offer to help with a sitter at the venue for the important parts (ceremony and speeches)?

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  • Pamela
    Beginner February 2020
    Pamela ·
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    She's terribly unaware and I've already bought her dress and am probably going to have to pay for her hair and makeup.

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  • Pamela
    Beginner February 2020
    Pamela ·
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    I see a lot of comments about offering to pay. At what point is my paying for her too much? It's not like the family is paying for ANY of our wedding.

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  • Heather
    Expert August 2020
    Heather ·
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    I would definitely do no kids for everyone, or else she will probably feel hurt or embarrassed that her children couldn’t be there. Personally, if you really want her to come, I would offer to pay for a sitter for the night or at least help to, this way she can also enjoy a child free night. I’m sure she’d enjoy that more than you lol
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  • Lily
    Dedicated December 2019
    Lily ·
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    Honestly I wouldn't offer to pay for her sitter. If you wanted kids at the ceremony/reception, I'd say yes you'd have to pay for on site childcare. It would be needed for the sake of your sanity and a nice video. If you do not want kids, she can find a way to come without her kid. You're already paying for her dress and possibly hair and makeup already. That's a much bigger cost than a babysitter.
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  • W-K
    Super October 2019
    W-K ·
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    Paying "too much" depends on the extent you want her there.

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  • Alyssa
    Super December 2021
    Alyssa ·
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    There is NO WAY I would tolerate someone's kid who behaved like that. It would just stress me to the max on my day, especially if she is the type of parent to look the other way when he is carrying on.

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  • Cher Horowitz
    Master December 2019
    Cher Horowitz ·
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    I would just let her know you're unsure how her son is going to act. Being honest is probably your best bet

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  • Sara
    Expert February 2020
    Sara ·
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    I would make it adults only. Especially since the number of kids you have on the moch list is so small. No need to upset her. Plenty of people have adult only weddings. You don't have to invite kids.

    If I didn't have a child and our families weren't full of kids (my daughter will absolutely be coming and I want her to have kids to hang out with) our wedding and reception would be 100% child free.
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  • B
    Beginner June 2020
    Billie ·
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    I read that people have put the kids they want to be there in the wedding party some how so it’s not so obvious. It’s a little sneaky, but seems like it would work. I dunno though.
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  • Suzie
    Super October 2021
    Suzie ·
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    I agree to make it adults only. She can get a sitter for one day. I would not risk that nightmare! We are not having kids at ours, FH and I both agree on this. His brother is the best man and he has two small twins, and they will not be invited. If someone can’t be bothered to get a sitter for one day, fine you don’t have to be at my wedding. Tough love! Don’t even give her the chance to say he will behave. He won’t.

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  • K
    Savvy November 2019
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    Perhaps offer to pay for a babysitter. If you say no kids then it means no kids.
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  • Carol
    Devoted October 2019
    Carol ·
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    For a really expensive and fancy wedding, as you described yours, I would definitely not invite any kids. I also don't think you need to pay for her sitter, especially if you've covered so much already.
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