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Woman Makes Herself Scarce At A BBQ And Wine Night After A Friend Brings Her Kid To The Party
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Woman Makes Herself Scarce At A BBQ And Wine Night After A Friend Brings Her Kid To The Party

Woman Makes Herself Scarce At A BBQ And Wine Night After A Friend Brings Her Kid To The PartyWoman Doesn’t Want To Deal With Kids At Friend Gatherings, Upsets The Group By Skipping OutWoman Leaves BBQ And Wine Night After One Of The Friends Brought A KidWoman Can’t Bother Dealing With Kids At Friend Gathering, Whole Group Livid She Skipped Out Mid-WayWoman Is Unsure If She’s Rude To Skip On Friend Gatherings If They Are Bringing Their KidsFriend Group Is Upset Woman Keeps Avoiding Their Gatherings If There Will Be KidsWoman Unsure If She’s Wrong To Skip Girls' Night If Some Of Them Bring Their Kids AlongWoman Makes Herself Scarce At A BBQ And Wine Night After A Friend Brings Her Kid To The PartyWoman Makes Herself Scarce At A BBQ And Wine Night After A Friend Brings Her Kid To The PartyWoman Makes Herself Scarce At A BBQ And Wine Night After A Friend Brings Her Kid To The Party
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Just like physics, life has a few relatively straightforward laws that govern human relationships and socializing.

It’s things like we don’t talk about X in this house (if you do, you get the axe) and there is only one answer to ‘does this [article of clothing] make me look fat?’ (don’t ask, we don’t know).

Somewhere among these, there’s also the law that if you become a parent, I guess I’m gonna need a new friend. Often, new parents grow distant from their child-free friends, usually because interests and circles change. And it seems this one story is no exception, though there are exceptions to the exception in the story, but we don’t talk about that in this house.

More Info: Reddit

You’d think having a wine night would also obviously mean not bringing your kids to the party, right?

Image credits: Kawe Rodrigues (not the actual photo) 

Well, it seems some don’t really get the memo, as a Redditor shared her experience of having to leave a party for that reason

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Image credits: u/dvh82685

Her leaving the party led to some folks connecting the dots and blaming her for doing it all because one friend spontaneously brought their kid with them

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Image credits: Kelsey Chance (not the actual photo) 

This one Redditor recently turned to the r/AITA community for some perspective on a problem she’s been having.

The story goes that OP has been a part of a group of friends since university—7 in total, all women. OP is the only one who’s child-free, while one is childless, two are pregnant and the remaining three have kids. You can probably see where this is going.

For a group like that, it’s hard to find a time when everyone could be available to meet. What makes this even more problematic is that some particular members of this group tend to bring their kids to their social gatherings—ones that ought to be adults only. Because wine. And social norms.

And, alas, that one time when the stars aligned and it was a once in a blue moon situation, and the seven finally agreed on a time, without anyone asking to bring their offspring with them, it still happened. And then their entire social gathering that was supposed to be an adults-only barbecue and wine night turned into a night of keeping the kid entertained.

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OP would always get out of situations when it was clear that someone would bring a kid—not because she didn’t like them, she actually works with them, but because girls’ night immediately loses its focus and becomes something else. But this time, nobody mentioned kids and it was a surprise to her.

This, however, did not stop OP from simply excusing herself midway through the social function, saying she didn’t feel well. And it was only later that she started getting very upset texts from very upset friends when they figured out what the deal was.

Image credits: Jay Chen (not the actual photo) 

Some flat-out called her a jerk, while some others were annoyed. But then there was that one cool mom in the group who had OP’s back and offered to meet up for a proper wine night, so shout-out to that mom!

This in turn prompted OP to find out if she was wrong to leave like that. And folks in the community were teetering between not the jerk and no jerks here verdicts.

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On one side, you have people arguing that it was a girls’ night out, barbecue and wine, friends from university—what part of that entails bringing your kids along? This one person explained that there is nothing wrong with not wanting kids around. It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s bad, just different, but still throws off the tone of why they’re meeting in the first place.

On the other hand, you have those who say that nobody is wrong here. The biggest reason was that there is a suspicion the clique is breaking apart. That’s very normal as interests change, priorities change, and some friends drift away naturally. There was also the argument of majority rules, and if most are with kids, then OP is in the minority in this one.

The post generated quite a discussion, leading to over 2,500 comments for a post that garnered 16,000 upvotes (94% upvoted). You can check it all out in context here.

Image credits: Brookie Cagle (not the actual photo) 

Now, why do parents insist on bringing their kids everywhere? The answer is quite simple: experiencing the world as much as they can is good for them.

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Starting with birth, kids are like experiential sponges that suck in all the worldly input they receive through their senses and activities. Sure, they don’t necessarily remember a lot in the early days, like being breastfed or being rocked or held and learning to walk, but it is done because it has an impact on their perception and development. And it’s cumulative.

Take book reading, for instance. Even if kids can’t hold a book, let alone read, you can still read to them, and it will develop an appreciation for books, increase their language and listening capabilities, and will prepare them to become bookworms themselves.

This same tactic can be used for all other activities, ranging from travel and sports to simple daily routines and family functions. The more they see of the world, the more prepared they will be for life and the more they might embrace it. And that includes the good, the bad, and the ugly. An experience is still an experience.

So, what are your thoughts on any of this? Let us know your thoughts, opinions and stories in the comment section below!

Folks were a bit indecisive about this, whether the author of the post is completely not a jerk, or nobody’s a jerk at all

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Robertas Lisickis

Robertas Lisickis

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Read more »

Some time ago, Robertas used to spend his days watching how deep the imprint in his chair will become as he wrote for Bored Panda. Wrote about pretty much everything under and beyond the sun. Not anymore, though. He's now probably playing Gwent or hosting Dungeons and Dragons adventures for those with an inclination for chaos.

Read less »
Robertas Lisickis

Robertas Lisickis

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Some time ago, Robertas used to spend his days watching how deep the imprint in his chair will become as he wrote for Bored Panda. Wrote about pretty much everything under and beyond the sun. Not anymore, though. He's now probably playing Gwent or hosting Dungeons and Dragons adventures for those with an inclination for chaos.

Monika Pašukonytė

Monika Pašukonytė

Author, BoredPanda staff

Read more »

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.

Read less »

Monika Pašukonytė

Monika Pašukonytė

Author, BoredPanda staff

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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arthbach
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is what happens when people don't communicate effectively. If the friend had simple said, "Let's have ladies' evening, no child, no partner." everyone would have known what to expect. They could also have said, "How about a family-friendly bbq?" Be clear what the expectations are. If someone says, 'Can I bring my child?' The answer is "No, not to the ladies' night, but most definitely yes, to the family-friendly bbq'.

Pamela Blue
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How can anyone be so dense as to think that a "ladies' wine and bbq night" would include children? Honestly, sometimes I just wonder about some people. Either the friend who brought the child was thick as two short planks, or she just thought others could look after her kid while she took up the wine bottle. Don't get me wrong. I love kids - I have 3, but they would NEVER be invited with me to a wine party.

Load More Replies...
deanna woods
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This kind of thing happened with my mom and her two friends. She has two friends, and every so often they will get together for dinner or lunch. Years ago, one of her friends liked to bring her daughter to the lunches. That would have been fine, however, the girl kept trying to include herself in the conversation. In this situation, they can't have typical adult conversations. This need from some moms to take their children everywhere is odd and makes no sense. The OP needs to be more assertive and say that they are having an adults only night and then keep it that way. She is not the a-hole at all.

Littlemiss
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have children and one of my friends always showed with hers. Coffee kid free at 10ish always became 3pm with her 3 kids. I would ask her not to bring her children and she always ignored it. Always at my place, never hers. There was a magical excuse every single time why a catch up included two or all 3 of her children (2 with serious behavior issues not diagnosed, that would trash my house and often injure my children as they were quite a bit younger. She especially enjoyed hitting me up to go to the gym with her, dragging them along too. I went to the gym child free on purpose, she would make sure I was going at the same time as her so she could leave me to look after her children so she could work out in peace. NTA, it sounds like it's always the same ones taking their kids as per usual and with the same excuse. It gets tiring always having to meet the needs of those same parents who wouldn't ever reciprocate. Also, as they stated they work with children everyday and don't want to have to look after someone else's children outside of their work.

Load More Comments
arthbach
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is what happens when people don't communicate effectively. If the friend had simple said, "Let's have ladies' evening, no child, no partner." everyone would have known what to expect. They could also have said, "How about a family-friendly bbq?" Be clear what the expectations are. If someone says, 'Can I bring my child?' The answer is "No, not to the ladies' night, but most definitely yes, to the family-friendly bbq'.

Pamela Blue
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How can anyone be so dense as to think that a "ladies' wine and bbq night" would include children? Honestly, sometimes I just wonder about some people. Either the friend who brought the child was thick as two short planks, or she just thought others could look after her kid while she took up the wine bottle. Don't get me wrong. I love kids - I have 3, but they would NEVER be invited with me to a wine party.

Load More Replies...
deanna woods
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This kind of thing happened with my mom and her two friends. She has two friends, and every so often they will get together for dinner or lunch. Years ago, one of her friends liked to bring her daughter to the lunches. That would have been fine, however, the girl kept trying to include herself in the conversation. In this situation, they can't have typical adult conversations. This need from some moms to take their children everywhere is odd and makes no sense. The OP needs to be more assertive and say that they are having an adults only night and then keep it that way. She is not the a-hole at all.

Littlemiss
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have children and one of my friends always showed with hers. Coffee kid free at 10ish always became 3pm with her 3 kids. I would ask her not to bring her children and she always ignored it. Always at my place, never hers. There was a magical excuse every single time why a catch up included two or all 3 of her children (2 with serious behavior issues not diagnosed, that would trash my house and often injure my children as they were quite a bit younger. She especially enjoyed hitting me up to go to the gym with her, dragging them along too. I went to the gym child free on purpose, she would make sure I was going at the same time as her so she could leave me to look after her children so she could work out in peace. NTA, it sounds like it's always the same ones taking their kids as per usual and with the same excuse. It gets tiring always having to meet the needs of those same parents who wouldn't ever reciprocate. Also, as they stated they work with children everyday and don't want to have to look after someone else's children outside of their work.

Load More Comments
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