People develop different interests and priorities, and their lifestyles change. For example, it is sometimes difficult to maintain friendships when some people already have children, others do not yet have them, and still others do not want to have them. This is something that sparked a heated debate when a childfree woman in California wondered whether she should attend her friends’ kid-centered events. It’s essential to be there for children’s milestones, but not everyone agrees with going if they’re not their own children, and that sparked controversy.
Influencer and comedian Julia Austin already has a somewhat controversial image for frequently discussing her childfree life on social media. In her most recent TikTok, this woman in California seriously wondered if she was obligated to attend all of her friends’ kid-centered events, when she clearly wants nothing to do with children. To which many Redditors responded that “making sacrifices” is what keeps us in community. For example, ‘The price of community is the occasional inconvenience,’ as written šāØļøPeachez & the Pits āØļøš. I think this is especially true depending on how much you value your relationship with that friend or family member.
On the other hand, many people believe that people with children are more focused on their own families and are not as reciprocal with their friends who don’t have children. ‘Meanwhile, they won’t bat an eye at missing your event because they have kids,’ as Morgan posted. Some parents want to be the center of attention so that others will make accommodations for them and their children, but they do not make the slightest effort for others. There are stories of people who complain that no one invites them to social gatherings anymore. However, whenever there is an outing, they want it to go to a child-friendly location, or they cannot attend because they do not have a babysitter, even though they knew the plan in advance.
There are all kinds of people, friends, and parents, so what matters most to me is reciprocity to build a community. There will be friends who enjoy being with their adult friends at children’s events. However, this does not mean that everyone will do the same, and you cannot force others to be there. So if a friendship or relationship drifts apart, well, it’s because their interests change, and that’s part of life.
