Friends kids [9F] [6F] are causing chaos at my [24F] parties

I’m just starting to really get into the joy of hosting events at my house. I put a lot of effort into these parties and do my best to make sure that everyone who comes has a great time. Introverts and extroverts alike. I bake dietary inclusive meals, decorate, invest in new board games, organise optional craft activities and extend invitations to as many of my close friends as possible. They’re usually a huge hit.

However, at my last party two of friends (mid to late 30’s) brought their 9 and 6 year olds. Which I had said was ok, because I deeply care for these friends and their kids and wanted them to be apart of the fun. Once the kids arrived though, things descended into chaos. They spilt multiple drinks on the board games, got glitter all over the food and front room (I found out later they had been throwing it at each other), put half eaten food back on the plates and drew inappropriate words on a activity wall I had set up and got some of the pen on my walls.

I ended up spending 4 hours repairing the damage their kids alone had left in my house once the party was over. It left me feeling very emotionally drained post party. Worst of all I could tell that the kids energy was overwhelming a lot of my friends and dampening their experience that I had worked so hard to make sure was a positive one.

I’ve reached a decision point where I don’t feel I can invite these two kids back to my larger parties and maybe only have them back for smaller activities that are based outside so they can get as silly as they want without causing any harm. But. How do I tell my friends that their kids are no longer welcome at my larger events? They’re part of a larger friend circle and would definitely find out if I didn’t invite them at all. Which I don’t even want to do because I do love both of them and don’t want to exclude them just because they have children. The kids are also technically part of the friend circle and wouldn’t be ok with being sent to a room to watch a movie while the adults hang out. Which is fair cause how can you tell a kid that they can’t be apart of the board game and Christmas craft party?

TL;DR Older friends kids are chasing chaos at my parties. How do I tell them the kids aren’t welcome back?

Submitted December 03, 2018 at 03:03AM by shoorysmile2 https://ift.tt/2FTZ26w