Do you include older siblings to birthday parties?

My son is already starting to drive me crazy about his birthday party coming up in the next couple of months. He will be turning 4 and would like to invite his preschool classmates which is fine. The problem is that our neighbor right across from our house has 3 boys. My son on rare occasions will play with the smallest boy who is 3 when he is outside. The two other brothers are 6 and 9. They are older and I would prefer my son not play with them because they are not well behaved (trying to be nice here). Can I send an invitation just inviting the one and not the other two? My son has never been invited to any of their parties so am I okay not to invite them to his?

 

I think it would be fine to just invite the one that is the same age as your child. There is a considerable age difference with the other boys so I think it's fine. However, if the mom calls and asks if the other boys could attend, I would probably say it's fine. I would just tell her the other kids coming are all 4 and you thought the older boys would be bored with the younger kids.

 

No, I do not invite older or younger siblings to the parties. I don't feel it's necessary nor do I expect all my kids to be invited to parties just because one is.

I would only invite the boy his age that he plays with.

 

I would only invite the one boy. And like the pp said, if the mother asks if the others can come (which I doubt she will), just say they can but will be bored... she should take the hint.
Helen

 

For me, it depends on the relationship. I have one friend with children 7, 6. and 4. All three play with my boys all the time, so I invite their entire family--actually, this year only the younger 2, since the party this year will be while the older kids are in school. For other families, I only invite the "friend", but if the parent has to bring a younger sibling, I do accomodate.

 

We only invited the kids their age, not the older siblings. BUT, be prepared because if the mom does not have someone to watch the older kids, then she may ask if she can bring them too.