BellaOnline Forums Relationships Married No Kids Is This Rude ?

A little more clear would work for me too.
Something like I'm having a little dinner get together so we can spend some time together. Since it's just for us grown ups (said with a smile) will you be able to find a baby sitter for a few hours? IF they say yes, then say great come on over when you drop them off. If they say no, say oh that's too bad we really wanted you to come over but since it's just a night for us grown ups....maybe next time.
I would hate to see hurt feelings between you and your friend if you don't want kids in your house.

This is a great topic to discuss, and I can relate this to a current situation that I have. I am part of a young women's Bible study group that meets monthly to study a selected book. Most of the women in this group have children 1-2 years of age, and whenever one of the ladies offer to house at her house, she always says "Kids are welcome!!! -- I have plenty of toys, and my child would love some playmates!!!". The last study we had at another house ended up with at least ten children in this age group running all around the house, making a huge mess everywhere (some even ate the cat food), and the babysitter wasn't watching them like she needed to. This made me CRINGE!!! I would love to have a Bible study at my house, but I WILL NOT have any shananigans like that going on under my roof. I'm afraid that if I say "no kids, please" on the invite that I will come across as a jerk. Any good advice out there?

You have the absolute right to decide who is invited to your house at any time. You could be a little more diplomatic than "no kids, please" by saying "I would love to host the Bible Study but I don't have room or activities for the children. I'll host it if it can be child-free." You can even diplomatically excuse yourself from the situation where the kids were disruptive in another home. You're only a jerk if you start criticizing, cause you know there were people there who were not disrupted by the children, and there are people who find great joy in the children's antics.

Hi beth- I agree with GrannyH, you will not come across as a jerk if you word it correctly. And to be fair, I think you would have a much more successful discussion about your chosen book without children disrupting you.

Well - sorry I was very late in getting back here but all went well. They did not end up bringing their children. We all had a nice time and it seemed no one was insulted nor passed any remarks. Thanks for all of your input and suggestions!

Well - sorry I was very late in getting back here but all went well. They did not end up bringing their children. We all had a nice time and it seemed no one was insulted nor passed any remarks. Thanks for all of your input and suggestions!

Good for you!! Pleasant conversation with adults only, no distractions -- that's how I like it!