‘Empty Nest’ Couple Gets Called Jerks For Not Allowing Friend’s Kids Over As They Consider Their House Not Safe For Children

Small children get in trouble all the time, so to minimize the risk, parents must prevent any dangerous situation they can think of from happening, especially in their homes, as it should be a safe space to be in. It means keeping the knives where the children can’t reach them, storing chemicals you clean the house with in a place they wouldn’t think of searching for, covering sockets, etc. It is additional stress and work, but it has to be done.

How freeing it should feel when your children are grown up and you can finally create a living space without worrying about these precautions. A woman on Reddit seems to be happy having raised her children and getting an opportunity to live with her husband in what they they consider to be a dream house; however, it is not child-safe whatsoever. That is why she doesn’t allow her friends to bring their children to her house, which causes tension in the friend group, so she started wondering if she was being too uptight.

More info: Reddit

Couple went all out on their house because they didn’t need to deprive themselves of things they like but would be dangerous for kids

‘Empty Nest’ Couple Gets Called Jerks For Not Allowing Friend’s Kids Over As They Consider Their House Not Safe For Children

Image credits: Travel4Brews (not the actual image)

The Original Poster (OP) who picked the name ThereRcatseveywhere on Reddit describes herself and her husband living without kids as “a grand experience.” The cool part about it is that the couple didn’t need to think about what is safe and not safe for kids to be around with when setting up their new home.

Their house has a small bar in their game room and a pool. Their rooms are decorated with expensive artwork and they have a dog that wasn’t trained to be a family dog, but more of a working dog.

Some people misunderstood what bitesport meant and it’s nothing illegal. It’s a dog sport that tests dogs’ tracking, obedience, and protection skills and was originally meant for the German protection breeds such as Boxers, Dobermanns, Riesenschnauzers, and Rottweilers. Now the sport is dominated by German Shepherds and the Belgian Malinois, all of which are quite big.

That’s why all their friend gatherings at their house are adult only, but one friend keeps asking to bring her kids over as she struggles to find a sitter

‘Empty Nest’ Couple Gets Called Jerks For Not Allowing Friend’s Kids Over As They Consider Their House Not Safe For Children

Image credits: u/ThereRcatseveywhere

Not only that, the couple has firearms at their house and a magnetic knife bar full of sharpened tools. All of these features make the house not very safe for children, but the couple has nothing to worry about for the most part because they only host adult parties and they trust their friends to be safe.

However, some of their friends are still raising their children and one of them keeps insisting on bringing her three kids over to the OP’s house. They are aged 6, 8 and 13 and the OP gets along with them well.

She doesn’t mind coming over to the friend’s house when the children are home or when she brings them to other friends’ homes when they are hosting their get-togethers. She doesn’t dislike kids and even watched them for the friend at her place. The only concern the OP has is the children’s safety.

The owners are concerned about the children’s safety because they have a pool, keep firearms and a knife collection at their house so they refuse to allow them

‘Empty Nest’ Couple Gets Called Jerks For Not Allowing Friend’s Kids Over As They Consider Their House Not Safe For Children

Image credits: u/ThereRcatseveywhere

The mom tried to convince the OP that the oldest of them could look after the younger ones, but the homeowner isn’t convinced. She knows that if something were to happen to the children or they were to break something, it would put a strain on her and the mom’s friendship.

She knows the 13-year-old and doesn’t think he is mature enough to be in charge of two little kids who, the OP admits, can be a handful for even an adult. And as people in the comments pointed out, if the mom thinks that the teen can take care of the little ones, why can’t he do that at his own home?

They are only concerned about the kids’ safety and the safety of their expensive things as any incident could cause tension in the friendship

‘Empty Nest’ Couple Gets Called Jerks For Not Allowing Friend’s Kids Over As They Consider Their House Not Safe For Children

Image credits: Nacho Facello (not the actual image)

Also, the woman revealed that her neighbor had 3-year-old twins come to visit and one of them ended up in a pool. As a result, one of them has severe brain damage and the pool is one of the homeowner’s biggest safety concerns if she ever has children over.

It’s a valid concern because according to the CDC, “More children ages 1–4 die from drowning than any other cause of death except birth defects” and “For children ages 1–14, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death after motor vehicle crashes.”

And if the incident doesn’t result in a child’s death, they can still face serious consequences: “For every child who dies from drowning, another eight receive emergency department care for non-fatal drowning.”

‘Empty Nest’ Couple Gets Called Jerks For Not Allowing Friend’s Kids Over As They Consider Their House Not Safe For Children

Image credits: u/ThereRcatseverywhere

The OP does understand that it can be hard to find a sitter and that is why she asks the internet if she should just trust her friend’s kids and allow the mom to take them with her because the Redditor feels she’s excluding her friend who struggles to find a sitter and can’t participate in the gatherings.

People in the comments brought up a simple saying parents often use against their children: “my house, my rules.” If the OP feels stressed about having children in her home, she shouldn’t feel bad for not allowing them around, especially because it’s for their own safety. Furthermore, she can’t forget the incident at the neighbor’s place and the other friends are kind of mean, calling her paranoid.

And although they already did their fair share of raising kids, the couple doesn’t mind them when they are present at other friends’ homes

‘Empty Nest’ Couple Gets Called Jerks For Not Allowing Friend’s Kids Over As They Consider Their House Not Safe For Children

Image credits: u/ThereRcatseverywhere

However, they are made to feel bad for excluding the mom as she can’t come to the gatherings and are called paranoid

‘Empty Nest’ Couple Gets Called Jerks For Not Allowing Friend’s Kids Over As They Consider Their House Not Safe For Children

Image credits: Kumat Gauraw (not the actual image)

What do you think of the couple’s decision to not allow kids in their home? Do you think they shouldn’t be as paranoid or do you think the friends are not very responsible parents for not recognizing the dangers? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

People in the comments don’t see a problem because a home is a sacred place where the owner can dictate the rules

‘Empty Nest’ Couple Gets Called Jerks For Not Allowing Friend’s Kids Over As They Consider Their House Not Safe For Children

Having started as a content creator that made articles for Bored Panda from scratch I climbed my way up to being and editor and then had team lead responsibilities added as well. So it was a pretty natural transition from writing articles and titles as well as preparing the visual part for the articles to making sure others are doing those same tasks as I did before well, answering their questions and guiding them when needed. Eventually I realized editing gives me the most enjoyment and I'm focusing only on that right now.

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I am a visual editor here. In my free time I enjoy the vibrant worlds of art galleries, exhibitions, and soulful concerts. Yet, amidst life's hustle and bustle, I find solace in nature's embrace, cherishing tranquil moments with beloved friends. Deep within, I hold a dream close - to embark on a global journey in an RV, accompanied by my faithful canine companion. Together, we'll wander through diverse cultures, weaving precious memories under the starry night sky, fulfilling the wanderlust that stirs my soul.

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What do you think ?

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Roddfergg 2 years ago

I've raised 2 kids, I now have 3 grandkids, and I have 2 very large dogs. One thing that has always pissed me off is people that insist on bringing their kids and dogs places that aren't appropriate, or invited. Not everyone wants to deal with your kids, or pets, for whatever reason. If you don't like it don't go, but it isn't their problem.

81points

Mrs. Jan Glass 2 years ago

The idea that people who don't enjoy being around kids are "mean" needs to go away. Not all of us have the temperment for kids. Not all of us like the noise, the smells, the chaos. I avoid children regularly because I don't like being around kids and kid culture and kid noise. What would be "mean" is having them or being around them, and then treating them badly, or being abusive. Not everyone likes or wants kids, and that doesn't make us lesser, or you better.

78points

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Earl Grey 2 years ago (edited)

Agree. First of all, you don’t get to invite yourself or other people over to someone else’s house. No answer is ever required to “why can’t I come over to your house?” We are empty nesters and like it that way. In retirement, we now have all the “nice things” we denied ourselves when we had kids. These include expensive collectibles that are not “kid friendly” at all. Kids run around and break stuff. In addition, we have hard tile floors, uncovered electrical outlets, unlocked cabinets with cleaning agents and poisons, and furniture with hard, sharp corners at a child’s eye level. We are retired from cleaning up kid’s messes as well, which includes barf, poops, handprints all over the newly cleaned windows, area rugs turned upside down, bedding with food and soda stains, chocolate smudges everywhere and anywhere, doors left wide open for the pets to escape and air conditioning bills to rise, and… and… well, you get the picture. And finally, we own all this stuff, so if and when we want to share it, we’ll let you know.

20points

Maisey Myles 2 years ago

I can't stand it when someone brings their dog to your cook-out Not cool

5points

Becca Hauck 2 years ago

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NolaJemma 2 years ago (edited)

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Step 2 years ago

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izzy (pan)da 2 years ago

good, thanks for saving everyone the job of disinviting ur entitled a*s. if u think someone not wanting to care for the child u birthed and brought into the world, and change their housing set up and furniture to accommodate ur children and cats, and go out of their way to host ur children is the same as hating ur animals/kids - that says a lot more about u and ur entitlement than them. u and ur kids are not one collective being. someone wanting to hang out w u doesn't mean they have to accommodate and include ur kids by default. either find sitters or stay home. it's not anyone else's job to care for kids u decided to have either. it's perfectly normal and reasonable to like children but not want to be involved w them and spend ur down time caring for them and keeping them out of trouble. nobody has to put ur offspring above their house/belongings/enjoyment/peace of mind. enjoy being the parent w no existence outside their kids and no friends want to see bc of it and their entitlement

15points

Lynn Keith 2 years ago

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deanna woods 2 years ago

I don't get why people think that they are allowed to take their children wherever they want even when told not to. I collect shot glasses and I wouldn't want someone to bring their child into my house and break one of them. I am not concerned about the shot glasses, I am concerned about the person's child cutting themselves on broken glass. If someone tells you not to bring your children to their house, then don't bring your children to their house. It is not a hard concept. If you can't come over unless you bring your kids, then I guess you will miss out.

55points

Gail Lynn 2 years ago (edited)

EXACTLY!! My dad's mother was one of those "kids should be seen, but NEVER HEARD" types. At times I knew she didn't want to see us kids either, there is 7 of us kids. She thought we were always filty...what did she expect??!!! We were on a ranch, living miles from any neighbor kids, so we had to play together. 2 of my brothers are 2 & 4 years older than I, so we were thick as thieves. So I'm a tomboy to the core. That's not how sweet little girls act, according to his mother. We & Mom were a burden on her sweet, handson son. If we had dinner with her, as soon as finished it was put your dishes next to the sink & go away. But NO TV if we were at our ranch. Her home? Banished to the very back bedroom, except for bathroom & such, lockdown. *yeah, when I was 16, I told her off* Daddy loved all his kids/grands/greats. He said it with his eyes, they'd just sparkle. And when my sisters would his heart, his eyes showed that, too.

7points

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Evolutionism requires FAITH 2 years ago

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Hubert Martin 2 years ago

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StrangeOne 2 years ago

I don't blame them. Apart from safety, having kids around is a lot of adults getting up to periodically check on them, deal with their tantrums and fighting that everyone else hears and it's inevitable someone's leaving early because their little one is getting tired/hungry/bored/grumpy. I have a child and remember going to other parents houses to hang out. That was still a hazard. One visit led to taking our daughter to the hospital for stitches on her hand after the kids broke a piggy bank. Now that my daughter is an adult, I have no thought to child proof my home and have not had any small kids over in a many years. My 2 year old second cousin I would like to have over but he's a handful and loud. I live in a top floor apartment, with toxic oil paint supplies and cleaning products in easy reach of a child, and lots of breakable, small trinkets. It's just not a good situation for kids and I'm not going to fret over it.

34points