Hi Ladies,
I really wasn’t sure where to put this thread. How would you nicely ask to not have anyone bring their children the events for a baby shower? We would like it to be elegant and a tea party garden feel. Children may not help the atmosphere plus they tend to go crazy over the dessert table before its time to serve them and we just wa t a nice adult gathering. Is this offensive? I don’t mean to offend anyone but do I have to invite children? How do I put it nicely in the invite?
Re: Baby Shower Invite Etiquette
Unfortunately, there’s really no way to word this nicely- however you put it, just be prepared for some people to be offended and possibly not attend.
Instead of noting it on the invite, perhaps consider calling every mom attending and telling them over the phone. It is more personal and you can also word it in a softer way vs. an outright, “no children invited/adults only” line on the invite.
Re: Baby Shower Invite Etiquette
Ah the irony…A baby shower which is celebrating impending motherhood and mommies are not to bring their children.
A better option is to have a room or space (basement) for the kids. Have toys for them to play with and serve kid friendly food (pizza, cake, cookies) that they will enjoy. Plus maybe play a Disney movie and hire a babysitter who can look after the children while the women enjoy the baby shower.
Truth is, most women will try and leave their kids at home - it’s a rare opportunity to have a girl’s afternoon out. But for the ones that can’t - yes, they may not like being told they can’t bring their children.
Baby Shower Invite Etiquette
You can put “ladies only” on the invite, but like others said, be prepared for either a) someone who gets offended or b) someone who brings their child(ren) anyway
Baby Shower Invite Etiquette
Honestly it’s okay if some chose not to attend. Some are being invited because of the association and its the nice thing to do but we would like to keep it small and intimate anyways. Just sometimes you still cant leave some people out. We are doing it in a hotel so the room idea won’t really work that’s why we’re thinking ladies only or adults only on the invitation.
Do you guys feel offended when your told its adults only? The shower is a ways away so before printing the invites I just wanted to get some opinions on how people feel not being invited with their children to events.
Re: Baby Shower Invite Etiquette
Personally, no, it does not offend me at all when I’m invited somewhere and it’s and adults/ladies only party. If I can find a babysitter or make sure my husband/sister can watch the kids, I go. If not, I politely decline the invite. If a host wants to maintain a certain ambiance/mood/theme that is not condusive to having children present, it’s their perogative.
Providing seperate accommodations/entertainment for children is a nice gesture, but frankly, I wouldn’t expect a host to do
that on top of all the other arrangements they’ve made.
Re: Baby Shower Invite Etiquette
That’s exactly what my mom and sister did for my baby shower, my parents didn’t want to exclude the kids, but some ladies were offended that their men weren’t invited and they had to drive by themselves without a man 
So be ready for all sort of backlash!!!
Re: Baby Shower Invite Etiquette
we recently had a baby shower with ladies only. But it was a close group of friends and the hubbies got together at one place and had the kids their. The guys ordered pizza. About 3 hours later they (kids and hubbies) joined us ladies. One of the mom brought her two daughters and pissed off a lot of other moms…but in the end it work out fine.
Considered planning a separate party for the guys and the kids, that way they are busy and ladies can home their party.
But I wouldn’t put that on the invitation, but call or email everybody.
Re: Baby Shower Invite Etiquette
I don’t think its offensive. I’ve been to several events: weddings, baby showers, bridal showers where its been specifically stated…no kids please.
You will come across people who will get offended no matter how nicely you say it so you might as well do so.
Re: Baby Shower Invite Etiquette
I understand the no children thing. You can put “ladies only” on the invite, that doesn’t mean don’t bring your kids, it just means no men allowed. You can also put on the invite, “let’s try to leave our kids at home for some girl time” or “girls night out”.
Women with young kids will bring their kids or not come at all due to lack of baby sitter. Be prepared for that.
Just in case, like Sehrysh said, make arrangements for the older kids in a separate room.