No Children Allowed

by Gloria
(Seattle, WA)

I am throwing a shower for a friend at work and plan to include everyone however I don't want any children at the party and believe there are a few women who will most certainly bring their kids without asking me if it is okay for them to do so. How do I politely communicate that children are not welcome on the invitation?

Our Answer:

Hi Gloria,

Thanks for your etiquette question. You have 2 choices. You can indescreetly place "Adults Only" or a message indicating that although you love their kids, you ask that guests not bring them to the party. There would be no question in your guests minds whether their children are allowed or not at the party. You might end up losing a few guests to this if they are unable to secure a baby sitter.

Another option is the place "Babysitting provided, if needed. Please R.S.V.P. to use babysitting service." This way, you will know ahead of time those guests who would like to come but need to bring kids. But by asking them to r.s.v.p. you can also have a few babysitters set up in another room to entertain them during the party.

Either descision is perfectly acceptable to use for a baby shower. I have seen both varities on invitations and they both solve your problem.

Good Luck planning the baby shower!

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No Children Allowed

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Nov 11, 2010
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No children at Baby Showers
by: Anonymous

It has been my experience that people who bring there children along to an Adult event are most likely allowed to run around, get into things, and are very distruptive to others. They always want to be right up under the Mommy to Be's nose grabbing, and ripping open "HER" baby's gifts. The day is suppose to be about the Mother to Be, not other peoples children,and how cute it might be for them to help open up someone elses gifts. They all have there own day on there Birthday when it is all about them,so why disrupt a new mommy, and her time to have to share it with everyone elses child/children. Totaly do not agree with children present.Try to remember when you had your first baby shower, and how it was for you. Some places children just do not belong at.

Nov 10, 2010
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kids at a baby shower
by: Anonymous

A baby shower is NO place for KIDS, I went to one last weekend and the kids were so loud with no supervision that the mother to be had to shout over them while she was unwrapping presents. This is also why my daughters mother-in-law and I decided to have 2 separate showers, she agrees with kids attending and I do dot.

Aug 28, 2009
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I agree. No kids at party.
by: Danielle

Because some people think it's cute when their kids "help" the mom-to-be open gifts the guests so thoughtfully bought and wrapped. Guests are invited because the mom wants to spend time with them- why have the distractions of other moms chasing their kids around. Seriously, what's wrong with guests getting away for a couple hours to a shower without their kids tagging along??

Aug 05, 2009
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sometimes kid free is fun for everyone..even prego!
by: Anonymous

I strongly disagree with the above comment. You can love kids and have a BABY shower without having to spend extra money on food/favors and enetertain them. Especially if the person throwing the shower does not have kids and therefore has nothing to entertain them with.
I think it is nice for the mom to be to have a child free event before the new arrival!

Apr 16, 2009
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No Children Allowed at Baby Shower?
by: Anonymous

If someone is having a baby and they or the hostess does not want children at the baby shower then there is a real problem. If you don't like kids or approve of them at your party then why are you having one or celebrating one? That just does not make any sense to me.

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