Do you believe we are becoming a 'child free' society?

**Teley** · 15-11-2009 21:51

Is it just me, or is our society becoming very 'child free' in terms of social events and parties and even things like as Christmas functions and weddings? Also, in terms of residential complexes and things like that banning children?

Are we not appreciating children enough and focusing too much on 'adult' space?

**delirium** · 15-11-2009 21:59

Yes, I have noticed that and I think it's a bad thing. Don't get me wrong, sometimes as parents we need our own time. But I have been noticing that a lot of weddings I have heard of lately have been 'child free' events. We attended a wedding a while ago, and tbh, I was rather annoyed that they banned children. Their reasoning.... the bride didn't want her day 'ruined' by screaming children

I went along with it as she was a close family member and I didn't want to put her off side, but I was miffed none the less.

**Sunnygal** · 15-11-2009 22:02

I was talking to a women whose babies are now in their 20's and she said she would never go anywhere with out them, if they were unwelcome she wouldn't go!
When we have children they are a huge part of our lives, and need to be included in it - I think! Yes its nice to go to a function without them, but I think that should be the parents decision! Not everyone can get baby sitters and such! I am constantly being excluded from things because children aren't welcome...
I think its also important for children to learn from a young age, appropriate behaviour for special occassions but it can't happen if they aren't allowed to go and experience this!!
I had kids welcome at my wedding and it was never an issue, the parents took responsibility for their little ones and I think they were pretty well behaved anyway!

**Teley** · 15-11-2009 22:03

Originally Posted by delirium

Yes, I have noticed that and I think it's a bad thing. Don't get me wrong, sometimes as parents we need our own time. But I have been noticing that a lot of weddings I have heard of lately have been 'child free' events. We attended a wedding a while ago, and tbh, I was rather annoyed that they banned children. Their reasoning.... the bride didn't want her day 'ruined' by screaming children

I went along with it as she was a close family member and I didn't want to put her off side, but I was miffed none the less.

Yeah......I never quite got the "child free" wedding. If you ask me, children add a certain charm to weddings, a certain youthfulness and happiness......I dunno, that's just me.

**Teley** · 15-11-2009 22:04

Originally Posted by Sunnygal

I think its also important for children to learn from a young age, appropriate behaviour for special occassions but it can't happen if they aren't allowed to go and experience!

Good point.

**sunnyflower** · 15-11-2009 22:06

No i haven't really noticed this TBH.

**delirium** · 15-11-2009 22:07

Originally Posted by Avany

Yeah......I never quite got the "child free" wedding. If you ask me, children add a certain charm to weddings, a certain youthfulness and happiness......I dunno, that's just me.

That's what I think too. I was looking at photos of our wedding recently, and found one of me holding my god daughter on my hip, she was only about 18 months at the time. We had lots of kids there, and it was a wonderful family wedding with no issues.

**Sheer Bliss** · 15-11-2009 22:10

Originally Posted by Avany

Yeah......I never quite got the "child free" wedding. If you ask me, children add a certain charm to weddings, a certain youthfulness and happiness......I dunno, that's just me.

Isn't that what it's all about anyway? The coming together of 2 people in love, and what is a perfect representation of that love than children!!!

A friend is thinking about a Fiji wedding ATM, and I was discussing it with a mutual friend, and she is really looking fwd to a 5day holiday away without her now 4yo and 2yo! I said that we were only going to go if the kids were invited too, as there is no way I'd leave the kids (esp the twins being breastfed) for that long. She made me feel guilty for wanting to ruin our friends day by bringing the kids. She pretty much said that I shouldn't even ask if the kids can come, as she'll say yes because she is not good at saying no, even if she doesn't want them there!!

On the wedding thing, a friend had a 2month old that wouldn't take a bottle or a dummy, so she asked her DH's friend if the baby could come to the wedding. They were told NO!! a 2months old was meant to starve so she could have her kid free wedding.

I don't always take our 2yo and 4yo to dinner with friends as it is often too late for them, but so long as my babies are b/f, they come too or I don't go!! DS doesn't take a bottle anyway (DD does) but mostly I am too lazy (and can't find the time) to express.

**The Fox** · 15-11-2009 22:10

Originally Posted by Avany

Yeah......I never quite got the "child free" wedding. If you ask me, children add a certain charm to weddings, a certain youthfulness and happiness......I dunno, that's just me.

and isnt it cute when the real young kids dance together, so cute, i actually never realised people ban kids until i had DS i was uninvited our to dinner because thet realised i had no intention of leaving my brand new baby for the night