Kids at Elegant Bridal Shower?

[BeautifulBridetoBe]

Help, girls.

 

My bridal shower will be an elegant breakfast/brunch affair at a golf club/ course on a weekend morning.

 

I have always dreamed of this type of shower...white linen and tea, etc. I just thought of a ladies' time out...where we can just converse and have a cup of tea together over a leisurely breakfast.

 

Truth is, the venue or event is not entirely suitable for children. As a golf club, they do not ban kids, but the environment is not really conducive to kids running around. They do not have a children's room as it is an adult facility. And they will want to run around...(can't say I blame them - they are kids!)

 

I have thought of keeping them busy with activity books, games, etc. but those distractions only last for so long and that requires someone to care for them (most likely the mom herself) and takes away from the purpose of my shower - to get together with women in a nice atmosphere and celebrate my upcoming marriage. Not many can say they get to go out alone a lot!

 

Personally, I see nothing wrong with having a ladies' bridal shower for a few hours where the kids are left at home and mom gets to come have an uninterrupted meal and some adult conversation...but I also know that some mothers are attached to their children and a few hours feels like too long. So they may feel offended that children are not invited.

 

Another issue is my 7 year old niece..the flower girl. She is at the age where she is playing wedding with her dolls and can't wait to be in the wedding. She sends me pictures of the dresses she wants to wear online and helped pick out my wedding gown. It would be great to have her there...she is a part of the wedding and easily entertained. But if we say no kids, we cannot very well have her there! Can we? It would not be fair...or would it be OK because she is a part of the wedding?

 

Truthfully, the issues is...and I hate to say it...the little boys!. I have 6 nephews...and if they come it will be game over. It's not their fault they run and have to play...they're boys! They just happen to be harder to entertain than girls. They get into a lot more.

 

So my mother suggests making it "Girls Only"...that way we only get the females - young and old.

 

Many concerns.....Any ideas?

[*tanga*]

I hope this doesn't sound too harsh (ok so I don't have children) You are having a Bridal Shower - not a Childrens birthday party. I am sure that your invitees would understand. Surely they can manage 3 hours without their children (assuming that they are not newborns of course). Do they not have husbands/partners that can take care of the kids for a few hours? Is this not possible?

 

Alternatively, I love your idea of making it a girls only event if this can solve any problems. It sort of makes it a special rite of passage event where your female support network can get together to celebrate you and your upcoming marriage.

[tylersgirl]

I am not inviting any children. I am sorry, I love kids but I don't want them to possibly ruin my shower. It is a risk I am not willing to take. I have been to showers where ppl have brought there kids and it turned into a nightmare....kids screaming, crying, and whining! Ugh!

[lgarner83]

Personally, nothing could ruin my shower if I don't let it get to me. But for your event it sounds like the kids would be better off at home. Have the invites been sent out yet? Maybe you could playfully add in "Ladies Only!" to your invites so they definitely get the hint. As for your neice, I would let her come absolutely. It sounds like she'll be great company there and the others should understand that she is there because she is a part of the bridal party.