not according to them, we actually laugh about it now. i protected them their entire lives, even to this day...
Child free zones are sometimes there for children's own protection. I don't have little children anymore and therefore various small items in my house a three year old could stick in their mouth. I would not appreciate someone bringing their small child and just letting them loose in my house... same applies to public places. If the child misbehaves leave. Weddings are expensive and if a couple says no kids this must be respected... it's their special day and their right to make this request, don't like it don't go. Same goes for restaurants or other public places. Children are only children for a short time... it will all be over soon enough
This is an invitation only event. People will know these people and their position on children and can decide from that whether they wish to support them in their marriage or take their kids off for a day celebrating childhood instead. Purely choice.
"""Besides, what on earth is it that you're wanting to do that can't be done in front of small children?"" Have a conversation not interrupted by "Mom, Mom, Mom, Mom," Have a get together where the adults are interested in each other and don't have to coo over some kid.... Have a quiet meal at a restaurant. Grocery shop in peace, without screaming and having products mangled by uncontrolled brats... Discuss things that are NOT the child's business. Use the guest bathroom that HASN'T had kids in it. Eat food at a buffet that no child has "finger tested"... That's a few ….I'm sure I can think of more things that shouldn't be subject to "child invasion"..
While this question has been covered by a number of posts, to assume that everyone 'likes friends kids' is a bit presumptuous. Not every child is decently mannered, or even interested in the events and therefore more likely to interrupt to redirect to something they are interested in. Some people believe alcohol consumption should not happen in front of children... influence, or even smoking. Conversation, subject matter, events that the child would have no interest or understanding of. The list is endless.
You shouldn't not allow kids,as they are people, but you should treat them like adults. If you bring them, they're guests, and if they act up they get thrown out and you with them. Also, you generally get 1 guest, maybe 2, but 3 or more is right out by most people
Children dont belong everywhere, especially when the invitation requested not to bring them. Its not enjoyable for anyone (especially the mom) to deal with screaming or bored kids. Maybe the event isnt even a safe place for wandering little kids. Stay home, find other activities... they DO grow up.
It wasn't really about about other peoples' kids, I'm only referring to ones' own (as in, being in their company). But as for friends, when your group consists of other couples with young kids, all your social activities include those kids. At least, it did so in our circle. But yes, I'm in agreement with the no alcohol when kids are present thing. We don't mix with smokers, so that was never an issue. Conversations are perfectly doable when all the kids are in the family room watching Iron Man. But even still, the only danger to young minds at our shindigs was boredom. It's not like we sit around with our friends talking about sex toys, divorce, murder, and illicit drugs. We talk about really exciting stuff like gardening, house renovations, food, travel, education, careers, the health of our elderly parents, etc etc. Riveting for the kiddies!
This thread reminds me of one of my favourite lines in a movie. In ‘High Society’ Grace Kelly turns to her noxious offspring asking them - “Isn’t it time for your milk and arsenic darlings?” I know the feeling. Much as I enjoy having children around there are times when the little sh**s so accuratley reflect the ‘values’ of their parents I want to strangle all of them.
If I recall, Grace ended up pretty darned unhappy in HS. There you go. Hatin' on kids and amunals is bad medicine.
Yes,.I’m glad to have them visit, sometimes even baby sit/child mind but often very glad when they go home. It’s an age thing. At 73 it’s just hard to keep up with them even if they’re well behaved. However, as a geriatric gay male who never thought such a thing as gay marrige was possible in my lifetime I get so much joy having as friends two young men married with two sons, 3 years and the other 4 months. Having them around makes all the political struggles with Gay Liberation in the late 1970’s and the early days of the AIDS epidemic worthwhile. So glad I’ve lived long enough to see it. Others here will tell me such things are abomination in the ‘eyes. of God’ but they haven’t seen the love manifest in this family. Enough of that, I’m coming over all soppy!
Ahhh, but you are a perfect parent Crank. I do agree there are blocks of time where Ive seen responsibility and growth with my kids. Ive also had times where problems arose with each kiddo that I never expected. Raising a family is a learning experience for all involved.
Indeedy, all solid and happy families are glorious! On your pals, I have two sets of LG married friends .. and both got the gender wildcard, sans design. The girls got two sons, and the blokes got two daughters
1) Thanks, but you're quite wrong. There are a trillion things I could have done and could still do, better. 2) Depends upon how you define "problems". All kids encounter them, the key is to ensure they're limited to the usual temporary and harmless adjustments. Pimples, crushes, homework angst, etc.
