11 June 2023 , 13:40
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A mum has sparked a huge debate online after she slammed "entitled" and "inconsiderate" parents who invite their children's siblings to birthday parties.
The woman questioned whether she was being unreasonable to think that it was "rude" and "ill-mannered" for kids - who are not familiar with her own child - to attend the special celebrations.
Taking to popular forum site Mumsnet, the anonymous user admitted that she doesn't want to "source different party bags" for the other children.
She wrote: "Am I being unreasonable to think it's rude to try to bring siblings to a party? I know, I know - I missed a trick by not stating upfront on the invitation that we couldn’t have siblings."
The mum sparked a huge debate after saying it's 'inconsiderate' for parents to bring their children's siblings (stock photo) (Getty Images)The woman went on: "But seriously, I sent out some birthday party invitations this morning and have already had five requests that siblings come too.
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"I have obviously replied politely to say that unfortunately, we can't do that this year, but am I being unreasonable to think that it's really, really ill-mannered, inconsiderate and entitled to ask and put people in that position in the first place?!
"Most party entertainers will only accommodate a certain number of kids - you know, a number which often closely matches the number of kids in a year one class, for example. No, my child doesn't want to not invite one of their friends so that your husband doesn't have to look after his own toddler for the afternoon.
"If we wanted little Johnny to come, we would have invited him. As we didn't, I think it's fairly safe for you to assume that my child wants to fill the limited available spaces at their own birthday party with their own friends, not a child they've never met.
"Yes, I appreciate that means that you might not be able to come, which is a shame, but unfortunately that decision sits with you. It really isn't reasonable to dump it in the lap of someone who already has 30 kids in their house and doesn't really want to have 60.
The woman added: "I don't want to have to source different party bags for four different age groups or tailor the activities so your other children can do them too. Frankly, it was quite enough to be organising a party for one age group!"
Since posting, the woman's thread has received over 500 comments to date from people in a hot debate about whether the woman was being unreasonable.
One person wrote: "No I don't think it's rude at all. Many parents are really happy to have siblings at birthday parties- depending on numbers."
Meanwhile, someone else said: "It's rude to turn up with them without asking, but it’s not rude to ask in advance."
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