Birthday coming up.

Tell them that it's by invitation only

I don’t understand. Is it siblings of invited guests or something?

it’s a cousin of the children that were invited. I always invite and pay for the siblings to come but they asked of the cousin can come

Tell them your at the max limit of children allowed

That’s so wild to me. It’s so audacious to assume you can start inviting distant relatives to another person’s birthday party. I would just be honest and say something like “ I am sorry that I can’t accommodate your niece/nephew. We’ve already budgeted and made arrangements. I hope you can still make it. Please let me know.”

it’s for A place that allows up to 30 children and we did only invite 10 which all are coming but for the sake of our wallet and having to feed everyone we were trying to keep it to the 10. And this person knows that I was trying to budget this party so for them to ask I kind of feel like I’m out in an awkward spot

you were absolutely put in an awkward spot, I’m sorry they put you there. Regardless of how many the venue allows, you are still at the max capacity of children as you limited yourselves to 10 which is reasonable. commented a great response you can use! It is kind, honest & stern. You can also let them know that you have reached your limit of the budget for the party but if they are able to pay the difference for the extra child then they can bring them. If you are okay with that of course.

Thank you guys!!! If they would’ve given a further heads up then maybe I could’ve done it but we have already made the goody bags for the kids that will be there so it makes it to where I would have to go out and buy more so that child wouldn’t feel left out. It’s just gives me anxiety because I hate to “stir the pot”

My sister did this to me on my son’s 4th bday. She invited her friends kids who’s the same age as mine n my sisters kid because her friends kid lives in the same town as me. I was so upset because I made individual piñatas per kid and didn’t have an extra for her…
It ended up being fine n there was enough food to go around but not a fan of that experience.

Is there a reason she's having the cousin? Like looking after them for the day ect? Or she just simply asking to bring the cousin? If so either way I'd say you can if you want but it's all paid for and I can't afford any more also goodbags and everything is sorted so if your willing to pay then yes otherwise no.

the cousin just lives close to them and they always do things with her. But they’ve know. About my sons. Birthday for over a month now and are just now choosing to ask to bring this kid

a cousin! That’s wild. Siblings I understand but now that’s insanity. I would say it’s by invitation only but if they want to come they have to pay. Or just say the party space is at max capacity