[niggles]

I'd ask her for ideas. She must have thought of this already. If she hasn't got any decent suggestions then I'd consider declining the request for them to be in the bridal party. Although since they are so excited about it I'd think about taking a sister or cousin or someone with me to watch them in the evening.

[hmmm...]

My friend got married a few weeks ago and had her 4 yr old neice as flower girl. Her 1 yr old neice was the only other child there. The wedding was 3 hours away from where most of the guests live. She booked a B&B for the night for her family (parents, grandparents, bridesmaid and partner, brothers and partners etc). She also asked a friend (who wouldnt have been invited to the wedding normally) to come to the wedding and then take the little ones back to the B&B to be looked after... friend was happy to help and understood the circumstances...

Maybe see if your brother can arrange something like this...

[Mexy]

Take a babysitter with you. Don't see the issue myself.

[AlexandraI]

She has probably thinking about crap like flowers and candles and forgot this major detail.

I would just take someone with you who can stay in a hotel with you and look after the kids.

[pod30]

But seriously, asking children to be flower girl/page boy and then not letting them come to the reception is a bit rude, add in that you are 3.5 hours away and I assume not near anyone you know for babysitting then it sounds like your sister in law hasn't thought the logistics through.

Totally agree. Kids in ceremony kids at recption. Very rude of her.

[~Catherine~]

Yep just take someone with you to babysit

[Mrscoolcoolpants]

take your babysitter with you for nice break. don't see the issue either.

[JustBeige]

Just deal with it practically.

Tell SIL that your children will participate in the ceremony, but only if you can find a babysitter.

I would do this, but also have a think if I could bring a babysitter with me

[Canberra chick]

take your babysitter with you for nice break. don't see the issue either.

Joke, yes? Pay for a babysitter and a room for the babysitter for when you're back? Some people obviously have oodles of spare cash... And very obliging babysitters. We have two or three people we use and not one of them would just up and travel with us to a wedding 3.5 hours away a, stay overnight and basically wreck their weekend.

[BradandMak]

thanks Canberra Chick.

Adding a bit more info
[list]

[*]Everyone that would normally look after the kids will be at the wedding already.
[*]The only other person is my parents. I think its pretty rude to expect that my parents ruin their weekend to driver the 3 1/2 hours to look after the kids.
[*]We are staying at a hotel/villa complex. The whole place has been booked out for the wedding.
[*]There is no one even close (within an hours drive) from the place that could look after the kids.


Im hoping that when she really sits down and thinks about it that she will realise how impracticale it will be