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Just Said Yes March 2019

How to Manage Children/childcare for the Wedding

Kori, on January 31, 2018 at 4:38 AM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 6
Hi all,
I’ve been pretty good about the planning process so far, but I feel so stressed in anticipation of the actual day (and we are a year out...)! One of the biggest issues I’m having is with my future monster-in-law. She’s tried to dictate everything from my dress to the guest list (and she isn’t paying for any of it!). She has added a huge number to our guest list (many of whom we have deleted without her knowing), and she expects everyone to be able to bring their children.
I am one of those who does not want my day to be overshadowed by a crying toddler... and would prefer no children. My fiancé is indifferent on the issue- he is Filipino and is used to having anyone and everyone showing up to family events, but understands my perspective. I’m okay with over the age of 12 or so... but any younger than that and I won’t want them there, period.
We’ve discussed hiring a few babysitters for the night to be able to enforce that rule, but I’m not sure how to go about doing so. Should I include the information on our website or speak to everyone individually? I know it may be more difficult doing a 12 year old rule vs no children, so I would be open to that as well.
I want to have the plan set in stone before telling my FMIL that HER guests will not be able to bring their children.
Thanks in advance for all the help, lovelies Smiley smile

6 Comments

Latest activity by O, on January 31, 2018 at 12:40 PM
  • JerseyGirl
    Master May 2017
    JerseyGirl ·
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    If you want no children then do not invite children. Keep in mind that you have to invite in circles. For instance if a guest has a 12 year old and a 3 year old, both would be invited. You can’t invite one child and not the other. At some point you or FH need to tell her about the deleted guests so that don’t just show up after she tells them they are invited. It sounds like FH needs to have a talk with her and set some boundaries.
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  • michelle d
    VIP January 2018
    michelle d ·
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    I hired 2 babysitters from a local high school to keep an eye on the children under 8. The older ones were fine. It cost me a little money but saved me from worries the day of my wedding
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  • An
    Super September 2019
    An ·
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    Yeah you can't have an age cutoff unless it is 18 or 21. Either have no children, invite all children, or invite in circles i.e. only invite children of immediate family. This could be a compromise for FMIL.

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  • firstoneat56
    Master August 2017
    firstoneat56 ·
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    If you are inviting children, there is no need for a babysitter. If parents choose to bring their young children it’s their responsibility to take care of them.

    As other PPs said, either invite kids of all ages or no kids at all.

    What concerns me is the situation with your FMIL. You and more importantly, your FH need to have s frank conversation with her and tell her what you are doing and while you respect her opinions, you both have the final say and once a decision has been made, it’s no longer up for discussion. Don’t just do stuff behind her back because it’s easier. You will be setting tone for your entire relationship with her and you want to make sure it’s honest and clear.
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  • O
    Master October 2017
    O ·
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    I didn't want children at my wedding either. The only kids we invited were my husbands younger brothers and sister, and our 2 nieces and 1 nephew, and the little one I nanny. Otherwise, we didn't extend the invitations to kids; I'm around children everyday, and frankly, didn't want the same thing on my wedding.
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