Entitled parents expect other adults to take care of their bratty child while on vacation, their friends opt for child-free wedding to avoid the kid's tantrums: “Special moments were constantly disrupted”

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Ely Bulnes • Writer and Editor
Mar 27, 2025 7:00 PM EDT

Have you ever been on a trip with a toddler? I have, and honestly, it wasn't that bad. I think my experience traveling with my 2-year-old cousin really warped my understanding of what toddlers are capable of. Thankfully he was really chill and agreeable most of the time. However, most kids at that age are incredibly sensitive and dependent on their daily routines. Getting kids out of that routine can set them off; that doesn't mean that they're bad kids, it just means they haven't quite learned how to regulate their emotions.

In our story today, a bride-to-be has a negative experience with one of her friend's kids. Not only was the child throwing tantrums on their vacation, but the parents expected eveyone else to chip in when it came to looking after him. Because of this, she opts to have a child-free wedding, but it might come at the expense of the parents' attendance. Scroll down for more. 

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  • 01

    AITAH for making my wedding child free to avoid singling out one child?

    "Frequent tantrums were brushed off"
    via ricky734's Images
  • 02
    I (32F) and my fiancé (33M) decided early on that we wanted a child-free wedding. This choice was influenced by two key experiences.
    via u/Puzzleheaded_Top9325
  • 03
    1. We attended a wedding where several kids were present, and it quickly became clear that their parents had little interest in managing their behavior. The children were running around,
    via u/Puzzleheaded_Top9325
  • 04
    making noise during the ceremony, and interrupting speeches. It was chaotic, and the couple's special moments were constantly disrupted.
    via u/Puzzleheaded_Top9325
  • 05
    2. We took a group trip with a few friends, one of whom brought their young child. While the child had some adorable moments, their presence significantly impacted the trip. The parents often
    via u/Puzzleheaded_Top9325
  • 06
    expected the rest of us to help out, and frequent tantrums were brushed off as them just being overtired. Overall, the trip would have been far more enjoyable without the added stress.
    via u/Puzzleheaded_Top9325
  • 07
    ย
    via Sergey Novikov
  • 08
    With those experiences in mind, a child-free wedding seemed like the right choice-until we got engaged. Not long after sharing our engagement, one of our friends mentioned how much they would love for their child to be part of the ceremony. I
    via u/Puzzleheaded_Top9325
  • 09
    initially avoided the topic, planning to address it later. When they brought it up again, I gently explained our decision. They were clearly unhappy and have since hinted that attending without their child wouldn't be an option-though, in reality, it is. They simply don't want to.
    via u/Puzzleheaded_Top9325

  • Just as the bride and groom reserve the right to have a child-free wedding, guests reserve the right to refuse to attend. Finding childcare isn't always easy. 

  • 10
    In many ways, we feel a child-free rule is the kindest choice. It ensures that no single child feels excluded, as the rule applies to everyone equally. If we had made an exception for some children but
    via u/Puzzleheaded_Top9325
  • 11
    not others, it could have created hurt feelings or tension. This way, there's no singling out—just a clear, fair boundary that makes expectations clear for all our guests.
    via u/Puzzleheaded_Top9325
  • 12
    I completely understand if our friend chooses not to come because of our decision, but I don't think enforcing a child-free wedding makes us unreasonable. Especially considering that our past experiences-including with their child-are what led us to this decision in the first place.
    via u/Puzzleheaded_Top9325
  • 13
    For context, the child will be a little older by the time of the wedding, but our relationship with them isn't particularly close, and their behavior has been fairly consistent over the years. I don't expect that to change significantly.
    via u/Puzzleheaded_Top9325
  • 14
    YourGreenPilot NTA its your day theres no discussion/debate needed here. ITS YOUR WEDDING!!!!!!! Its about you! TWO!!! Your reasons are 100% valid!
    via u/YourGreenPilot
  • 15
    Sothdargaard "Well we'll miss you but if there's any way to find a sitter for that night we'd still love to have you there!"
    via u/Sothdargaard
  • 16
    lustfulmelodyy NTA! It's your wedding, not a family reunion for the 'Who Can Whine the Loudest' contest! You two are the stars of this show, so let everyone else grab some popcorn and enjoy the spectacle!
    via u/lustfulmelodyy
  • 17
    Ok-Contact-7218 I had a child free wedding with no regrets. I provided a room with a sitter and food for those coming from out of town. The kids had a good time and my adults only reception was stress free.
    via u/Ok-Contact-7218
  • 18
    Cheezburger Image 10486397184
    via FamVeld
  • 19
    FakeToothAccurate This is totally not required - but so thoughtful! You'd be a saint if you do that, but you're NTA either way
    via u/FakeToothAccurate
  • 20
    shelltrice I worry this friend who is so invested in her child attending will not want her child to be in the kid room. "Oh but little brat loves you! They are so well behaved. You can't mean them"
    via u/shelltrice
  • 21
    Perhaps my experience with entitled parents has tainted my outlook. edit to add NTA for child free wedding
    via u/shelltrice
  • 22
    Plurbaybee That was insanely nice of you to provide a sitter and food. That's a wild amount of respect for those who traveled for you and their family. It's a rare thing to see.
    via u/Plurbaybee
  • 23
    I wish more people would do this for the out of town folks! Traveling for a wedding is so stressful adding children in tow just makes it so much worse.
    via u/Plurbaybee
  • 24
    GroovyYaYa I went to a wedding where the out of town sister in law paid for BOTH sitters. Yup, two. All the kids were related - and they ended up not having the kids babysat at the reception, but at the hotel! The babysitters were certified lifeguards if I remember right, so the kids had a pool party!
    via u/GroovyYaYa
  • 25
    NTA Puzzled-Safe4801 First was when your so called friend basically told you to include her kid in your wedding party. ¯??!!
    via u/Puzzled-Safe4801
  • 26
    If this "friend" chooses not to come, oh well. However, be prepared for her to RSVP Yes and then show up with the little "darling." Have a plan in place to deal with that.
    via u/Puzzled-Safe4801
  • 27
    InThese Boness NTA. Your wedding, your guest list, your choice. It's also their choice if they want to come or miss out on the experience completely. Either way, nothing to fall out about.
    via u/InTheseBoness
  • 28
    JellyfishSolid2216 NTA. It's better that some people stay home than have your wedding ruined because some parents can't be bothered to actually parent their kids.
    via u/JellyfishSolid2216

  • Having to miss out on a few experiences are part of the sacrifices parents have to make when they decide to have a baby. 

  • 29
    Pure-Kaleidoscop As a parent I don't understand why anyone would have a wedding that was NOT child free. Especially if there is alcol. I want to go to a wedding and party, and leave the kids with grandma. Kids at weddings are often poorly behaved and disruptive. NTA
    via u/Pure-Kaleidoscop
  • 30
    Cheezburger Image 10486397440
    via kkshepel
  • 31
    MoreLikeH Grant Multiple people who attend our child free wedding specifically said that a child free wedding allowed them the luxury of being present and enjoying the company of their SO and not having to worry about what their (adorable, well behaved) child was up to.
    via u/MoreLikeH Grant
  • 32
    Grand_Locksmith2353 Eh, I wouldn't have attended any childfree weddings when my son was between the ages of 0-6 months. He was exclusively breastfed at that age and all of the pumping and hassle would not
    via u/Grand_Locksmith2353
  • 33
    have been worth it, plus I wasn't comfortable leaving him anywhere for any length of time at that age which I think is a pretty common - feeling with babies 0-1.
    via u/Grand_Locksmith2353
  • 34
    Some people don't have money for childcare on top of the costs of attending the wedding. Lots of reasons to want a wedding to not be childfree (but it's ultimately the couple's choice of course!)
    via u/Grand_Locksmith2353

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family drama bride child free groom wedding drama relationships parenting wedding couples love family Reddit raising kids entitled people
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