One reason I like my children to attend big family parties is that I like them to know their many relatives. As a parent, I know that I cannot be all things for my children and I also know that they will find their inspiration and mentors in life from all kinds of people and events, so to be exposed to many different people of many ages, backgrounds and life experiences is to provide your children with a wider opportunity for inspiration and mentoring.
I wish I thought about this earlier in life because there were times when I didn't accept an invitation or attend an event for all kinds of reasons, but thinking back to not attend the event meant my children missed out on an opportunity for something new and something potentially inspiring and/or life changing.
Of course there are good reasons to skip an event. Sometimes you're simply too tired and at other times you're schedule is full or someone/something needs you more.
At times, I've noticed people sheltering their children quite a bit, perhaps too much. That's not for me to decide, but I do think that we have to think about the ways we can broaden our children's opportunity to be inspired and learn about the world around them as that will give them a greater opportunity to find their people and be the people they hope to be. Onward.