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 indiscreetly 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 decision is perfectly acceptable to use for a baby shower. I have seen both varieties on invitations and they both solve your problem.

Good Luck planning the baby shower!

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Comments for No Children Allowed

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Not constructive
by: Anonymous

If you don't want to invite children, then don't invite them. My baby shower was a chance to invite my friends and family, so we could sit and chat - to talk without interruptions and distractions. I preferred to have adult time and enjoy the party. We look forward to celebrating with xxxxx, her family and friends, for that reason we respectfully request only grownups RSVP to the party.

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No kids
by: Anonymous

Throwing a shower myself this weekend. I have 2 kids that I am sending away, the mother to be asked why and I just said I don't think baby showers are a place for children. I mean I have never been to a shower where breastfeeding, crowning and labor are not discussed. That is not appropriate conversation for children. Considering you are celebrating birth of a child that will obviously come up. It has nothing to do with loving or not loving kids. Some places children should not be, wedding/baby and most new years eve parties, the kind of buying parties sex toys, Tupperware, pampered chef. It is a time for adults and adult conversation. Trust me the kids don't want to be there either!! ,

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children at showers
by: Anonymous

Of course children should NOT be at baby showers. This is just common sense! Obviously not having children at a shower does NOT mean the mom-to-be doesn't like children! That's not the point; this is the mom-to-be's day, and nothing should take that away from her.

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Baby showers are not birthday party's
by: Anonymous

Who ever said there is a problem if you don't want kids at your shower is probably that parent who lets their kid run wild at parties. I'm throwing a shower for my sister inlaw and she has one kid and requested no kids under 10 and i agree! I don't want to have to worry about occupying kids or them running wild when I'm trying to throw a nice shower for adults. I have two kids and Dad id taking them out for the day. I love kids and I throw mine awesome party's but a baby shower is for mom to be not kids.

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No children
by: Anonymous

I find it rude that anyone would assume their children are allowed. A baby shower is to honor the mother to be and HER new bundle of joy. Children tend to run around need to be supervised, etc.
Proper etiquette is that only the invited are to attend any function however, unfortunately our society today feel that they can do whatever they want and do not even know the proper rules of etiquette. Everyone can have their own baby shower however they want and how they feel is going to make it the best. But I personally know families who have 7,8,9 kids and imagine if you invite 10 people and they bring all of their children. It would end up a child's party instead of honoring the mother. Also, I agree keep it simple on the invite. No children or a nice one sentence phrase.

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Why would kids be there is about the mom to be
by: Anonymous

Omg. How rude to say why are you having a child if you don't want children there? That is just uneducated. Its obvious that a shower is all about the mom to be NOT other children who will not only take attention from her but also mess up a lot of activities.

Anyone who brings a child over the age of 1 to a baby shower is disrespectful and selfish! It's not about you and showing off your child. Can't the mom to be have these few hours in this one day in her entire life to celebrate her new baby. Can you not give her your undivided attention for that little bit? If not don't come, and you suck!!!!

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No children at Baby Showers
by: Anonymous

It has been my experience that people who bring their children along to an Adult event are most likely allowed to run around, get into things, and are very disruptive 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 supposed to be about the Mother to Be, not other people's children, and how cute it might be for them to help open up someone else's gifts. They all have their own day on their Birthday when it is all about them, so why disrupt a new mommy, and her time to have to share it with everyone else's child/children. Totally 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.

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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 daughter's mother-in-law and I decided to have 2 separate showers, she agrees with kids attending and I do dot.

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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??

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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 entertain 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!

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No Children Allowed at Baby Shower?
by: Anonymous

If someone is having a baby and neither they nor 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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