wedding guests with the kids

[MichelleCarmen]

Okay, I'm sure this has been asked a million times, but we've been invited to a wedding which is another state and ALL of the people who would normally help out with my kids will be attending the wedding (or be back in our homestate - too far away). The only person who won't be attending is a 16 YO teenage boy who is the step son of my SIL. She already mentioned that this boy would be great at watching our kids, BUT, I hardly know him and flat out don't want him to.

The problem is my near three YO cannot sit through a movie yet, so I don't think he'd be able to sit through a wedding. My husband is determined to bring bring the little one and I KNOW this will not work! Any ideas of how to convince him otherwise? (If we take little D, we'll be stressing out - it'll be a nightmare.)

(even if there is a babysitting service, it'd be strangers watching my kids - not something I'd feel comfortable with.) My kids aren't sheltered (they DO go to PT daycare). . .I just feel uncomfortable being out of our home state and having WHO KNOWS WHO watching my kids. . .not sure about how responsible, child to babysitter ratio., etc. Also, how do I NOT offend the people handling the wedding by saying we don't trust the babysitting service if they suggest this?

 

[Kaleigh]

When my good friend from college got married she had the kids in a room next to the wedding reception where they were entertained and the parents were near by, so you could check in on them when you wanted to. I don't know if this is an option, but it worked out great for us. My kids were 4 & 5 at the time. As far as the wedding is concerned could you sit in the back in case your little one starts to fuss?? Then you could make a fast exit, if need be. This is a very tough situation and I don't blame you for not wanting to leave them behind with a 16 year old who you don't really know. And taking them with you will be stressful too. Sorry I guess I'm not much help.

 

[ame]

Do any of your neighbors who have kids your kids play with make you comfortable? My folks left us with our neighbors a few times. They are really close family friends though.

 

[MissAva]

Certain hotels will offer sitter services. Look for local college students you know...they may not have internships and will work for little. Sometimes just for fun (I love doing Mothers morning out). Have you checked with you church? If all else fails you could skip the wedding but that would be a bummer.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Thanks - we don''t know our neighbors. . .only have lived here since Dec so we don''t have ANYONE to help us out!

I decided to let my husband handle this since the wedding is on his side of the family and I''m sort of sick of trying to organize people/time, etc. Instead, I''m going to focus on finding a pretty (sexy!

) dress to wear. . .

 

[flopkins]

hm... have you considered asking the couple (that you''re attending the wedding of) if they will be having any babysitters around? it''s my understanding some couples arrange to have a small room set aside with kiddie stuff and a babysitter to relieve the parents of any worries..

 

[heart prongs]

Are your kids invited to the wedding? If they said they had babysitters, prehaps that''s because no children are invited. I''d find a sitter to bring along and put up fir her lodging that night. Otherwise, you probably just should have one of you attend...

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 5/31/2005 5:45:37 PM
Author: heart prongs

Otherwise, you probably just should have one of you attend...

That was my thought, too, from MC''s comments. It''s a wedding on her husband''s side of the family, so perhaps he could attend this one solo.

I''m sure you''ll hate to miss the event, MC, but if you had to keep leaving to bring little D outside, chances are you''re going to miss most of it anyway. It would just seem less stressful if you could stay and keep little D in his own environment entertained.

I can completely understand not being able to relax in leaving your children under the supervision - even for a limited time - with someone you don''t know.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Yes, I think unless there's ON SIGHT childcare, I'll skip the wedding - if there's an adult babysitter, my husband has firmly stated we'll have the kids hang out with the other little ones. . .I'll take D to the reception, though, as he's a pretty cool little partier (especially after a glass of punch and slice of wedding cake

).

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 5/31/2005 5:45:37 PM
Author: heart prongs
Are your kids invited to the wedding?

This is a bit aggrevating to me. . .we DON''T actually know if our kids are invited and as of yet, the idea of a babysitter, aside from the one my SIL offered, is speculation. The family we''re visiting are people we only see once every few years for like two hours. I barely know them and feel funny asking, "so ARE you going to supply assistance for us parents?"

I think it''d make life a lot easier if people would include WITH the wedding invitation info regarding kids. . .I am totally supportive of adult only weddings as kids CAN be noisy. Lots of excitment. But, for out-of-state weddings, plans cannot be as flexible for parents and we NEED structure for our sanity.

 

[AChiOAlumna]

Date: 5/31/2005 6:53:40 PM
Author: MichelleCarmen

Date: 5/31/2005 5:45:37 PM

Author: heart prongs

Are your kids invited to the wedding?

This is a bit aggrevating to me. . .we DON'T actually know if our kids are invited and as of yet,

I'm sure you already know this, but many tend to forget...How was the invitation addressed? Was it addressed as Mr. and Mrs. MichelleCarmen? Or did the invitation say The MichelleCarmen Family? If it was the former, then there's a good chance the children weren't invited to the wedding and they are only expecting you and your SO. If the latter wording was stated, then your children are invited. This might help you determine how to proceed.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 5/31/2005 7:19:28 PM
Author: AChiOAlumna


I''m sure you already know this, but many tend to forget...How was the invitation addressed? Was it addressed as Mr. and Mrs. MichelleCarmen? Or did the invitation say The MichelleCarmen Family? If it was the former, then there''s a good chance the children weren''t invited to the wedding and they are only expecting you and your SO. If the latter wording was stated, then your children are invited. This might help you determine how to proceed.

Thanks! The invitation is only addressed to my husband and me. . .my husband isn''t being too cooperative. I''m telling him all your gals'' opinions and he''s basically rolling his eyes at me.

Ah, okay, like i said, better to focus on the dress. . .lol If my husband doesn''t shape up, I''m planning a necklace too. hahaha!