Super Bowl etiquette question

[taffy]

we've been invited to a Super Bowl party by a good friend. We've been friends for 12 yrs or more and he has babysat our son a couple of times. The invite was a FB invite and says no kids or dogs. The same time I got the invite I got a pm from him addressed to me and one other person saying he considered our kids his personal guests and not kids and they are invited. I msgd back and said that meant a lot but I didn't want things to be awkward and he basically said it's his house and he could invite who he wanted. I do know why this came about, in the past people have brought their kids and let them run about the house going crazy. Now, DS isn't perfect (seriously he's driving me crazy lately) but he is an only kid and used to being around adults and USUALLY behaves. I really want to go, I haven't socialized in I don't know how long. A sitter isn't available. I'm just worried people will think I don't know how to read an invite or I think my kid is above that (in re-reading this I can see that would be a valid thought).  I was thinking of bringing 2 cars and only staying til 1/2 time and letting dh stay longer. 

[moolarkey]

Take 2 cars, if DS gets wild then one of you take him home.

[lime]

I don't really care what other people think, so I would bring my child since your friend invited him.

Should people bother to ask/say anything to you about it, I would respond with "Oh, Bob specifically asked me to bring DS."

[Mrs.Rad888]

Well, I agree with your friend. He can invite whoever he wants; I'm thinking there was a specific person he wanted to leave their kid at home. I'd go, take turns with your H watching your kid, and have fun.
Taking 2 cars might be a good idea. You know if your kid will be able to behave for the whole game.

[taffy]

I should have specified; he is 10.....DS, not DH.

[hi725]

I have kids. They are often special guests when other kids are excluded. I have also made this exception myself, for close friends who have kids that I consider family.

If he was specific that your hold was invited, then bring him. Have fun.

[eb777888]

Feb 1, 2015 13:16:08 GMT -5 taffy said:

I should have specified; he is 10.....DS, not DH.

Oh.... I was totally understanding your hesitation but I thought you had a smaller child. I would go.

[honeychai]

Doesn't sound like it will be much fun for your kid

And wtf to the no dogs? Do people really show up to parties with their dogs?

[lime]

Oh!

I was totally thinking you were talking about a toddler, worrying that they would be wiping grape jelly on the TV screen during an interference or some such.

I don't think people will really even take much notice then.

[candyland]

Go and have fun! Your friend is probably looking forward to seeing your DS.

[honeychai]

Oh wait, he's 10?
Go!
Ten year olds can hang

[gummybear]

If I went to a party that said no kids and there was a kid there, I'd smugly enjoy my kid-free time while feeling sorry for the person who didn't get the message   I would not judge you.

Does the host have kids? If so, as a guest, I'd assume he invited a special friend to occupy his kid. If he doesn't have kids himself I'd probably just think that your child was a close family/friend or something. If anyone makes a big deal out of it, f'em. It's a SB party, not wine and cheese and readings of Chaucer. 

[textbookcase]

Totally go!

[dexteroni]

Go and have fun. If anyone says anything, I would not hesitate to say that the host specifically extended an invitation to your DS. If the host wants to bend his own rule for select people, any resulting awkwardness should be between him and his other guests, not you.

[my3boyz]

Go, the host probably didn't want a bunch I toddlers there which your son is not. He's 10, no one will bat an eye I'm sure.

[usuallylurking]

He's 10, bring him! Bring something to keep him occupied; a book, ipad, whatever. And make sure he doesn't park himself by the chip bowl and eat them all, then demand more, lol.

[rachers]

Feb 1, 2015 13:17:52 GMT -5 honeychai said:

Doesn't sound like it will be much fun for your kid

And wtf to the no dogs? Do people really show up to parties with their dogs?

Yep! Not us but a couple we know. Used to drive me insane.

I say go. 10 is far different than a toddler.

[venice2007]

Take him and have fun. 10 yo can control themselves and not make a scene (usually) so he will be fine!
Have fun!

[usuallylurking]

Feb 1, 2015 14:08:39 GMT -5 @cse1960 said:

Feb 1, 2015 13:17:52 GMT -5 honeychai said:

Doesn't sound like it will be much fun for your kid

And wtf to the no dogs? Do people really show up to parties with their dogs?

My dh brings our fucking dog everywhere. It's an ongoing fight we have. NO ONE WANTS OUR DOG. 

I'm sorry, this made me laugh. You are the picture of etiquette, I can't imagine this with your H.

[eb777888]

Feb 1, 2015 14:08:39 GMT -5 @cse1960 said:

Feb 1, 2015 13:17:52 GMT -5 honeychai said:

Doesn't sound like it will be much fun for your kid

And wtf to the no dogs? Do people really show up to parties with their dogs?

My dh brings our fucking dog everywhere. It's an ongoing fight we have. NO ONE WANTS OUR DOG. 

LOL!!!! I totally agree, sue.

[Muddled]

He was invited. You're good.

[flex]

I think the host would be the one to feel guilty about the "no kids" thing and not you. Take your DS since he's been invited. Side-eyes, if any, will be directed at the host--not you.

And I agree with the caution about your son being bored. It's four hours of being surrounded by "old people" and no kids. Bleh! lol

[Nonny]

Feb 1, 2015 14:08:39 GMT -5 @cse1960 said:

Feb 1, 2015 13:17:52 GMT -5 honeychai said:

Doesn't sound like it will be much fun for your kid

And wtf to the no dogs? Do people really show up to parties with their dogs?

My dh brings our fucking dog everywhere. It's an ongoing fight we have. NO ONE WANTS OUR DOG. 

Preach.  I'd be very WTF is someone showed up to a party at my house with their dog. 

OP, your kid is older, and was specifically invited, so you are fine to bring him.  Let him bring a book and quiet toy (i.e., if he has a Nintendo DS or something, bring head phones), and from what you said it sounds like he'll be fine eating snacks and chilling out with the adults.

[nadasteph]

If I found a sitter for my toddler and preschooler and showed up to a no kids party and saw a 10 year old who was behaving, I wouldn't think twice and i'd be so happy to not be chasing my kids around that it wouldn't bother me in the least. Bring him.

[ECB]

Why are you taking 2 cars? Because you're worried about the OTHER people? If so... take 1 car and stay the whole time. I too thought we were talking about a young kid, not a 10 year old. 

If YOU want to stay, then stay. The host invited your child too.

[taffy]

Thank you for all of the replies, I was doubting myself but can now go since it was deemed appropriate by ML! I think 2 cars still just in case the game does get good or goes into overtime etc...DS has 2 tests tomorrow and probably needs to get to bed early. Also, even though I say I want to socialize, 1/2 the time I get places and decide that really wasn't what I wanted after all.