AITA for always turning down hang outs with my friends when they ask to bring their kids?
In a close-knit circle of seven women bound by years of friendship and shared university memories, the silent chasm of motherhood has quietly reshaped their bond.
Among them, one stands apart—childfree and yearning for the simplicity of genuine connection, yet repeatedly sidelined by the unspoken demands of stroller-filled gatherings and the relentless presence of children during their rare meetups.
Despite living in the same city, the rhythms of life have pulled them apart, each encounter shadowed by the unwelcome intrusion of motherhood obligations.
The childfree friend’s patience wears thin as she retreats into smaller, more manageable moments with individual friends, seeking solace in the fragments of friendship that still honor her choice and presence.
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The thread exploded with reactions. Whether agreeing or disagreeing, everyone had something to say — and they said it loud.
The original poster (OP) is facing a recurring conflict where social gatherings intended for adult friendship quickly become dominated by childcare responsibilities due to friends bringing their children.
The OP's decision to leave the recent event highlighted their strong need for child-free time, which directly clashes with the expectations or habits of some of the mothers in the group.
Given that the OP values one-on-one time but wishes to maintain the larger group dynamic, the central question becomes: Should the group respect the clear boundaries of members who desire child-free socializing, or is it reasonable for parents to expect their children to be included in all informal gatherings, even when those gatherings were previously established as adult events?