Not everyone feels terrible about excluding children and people with children while hosting a child-free wedding, and guess what, the few people who not only feel so but also make proper arrangements for the excluded lot aren’t appreciated enough!
A netizen recently asked, “Am I a jerk for arranging child care far from my wedding reception?”. Tell us what you think in the comments section!
Backstory
The Original Poster (OP) got married this summer.
While OP wanted a child-free wedding, she realized that this would exclude many of her friends and family. So, OP came up with what she thought was a good compromise.
The Arrangements OP Made
OP rented out her brother’s indoor playground and paid the staff to work late. She paid them double time until midnight whether there were kids there or not.
“They are all trained in first aid and have all been screened by the police. On top of that, several of the older kids who didn’t want to go to the reception stayed there as well to keep an eye on everything. There were also two ladies from my church. I also provided food and drinks.”, says OP.
The Only Problem
The problem was that the playground was about two miles away from the reception. So, you had to choose between leaving your kids there or bringing them with you.
OP figured that it was a good option for anyone with kids who might get rowdy. She thought anyone with infants obviously wouldn’t leave them there.
Turns Out, She Was Wrong!
Boy, was OP wrong! People were mad at her that it was so far away. About a five-minute drive. They were mad that the kids didn’t get the same food as the people at the reception. No, they got pizza, nachos, and fried chicken. They were mad that OP didn’t have someone to watch nursing babies.
“I was cool with people bringing babies to the reception. There was a mother’s room in the hall for nursing and changing babies.”, says OP.
What Happened Next?
OP has been called all kinds of names for what she honestly thought was a nice thing. OP’s husband said they should have gone child-free and dealt with that hate instead of wasting money on ingrates.
“My aunt called me a jerk for not wanting a couple of dozen screaming and crying kids at the reception.”, says OP.
Now OP wants to know if she is a jerk.
The Best Solution Ever!
“Not the jerk. This is the best solution I’ve heard on here from anyone who wants a child-free wedding!
You provided multiple options for people to choose from, put the kids there where they have fun with others their age, get your own babysitter or stay home.
Whoever still had a problem was looking for one.
Also, who gets mad at different food options? What you provided sounds way more kid-friendly than what was probably at the wedding.”
What Is Wrong With People These Days?
“Not the jerk. Oh my gosh, what a generous and lovely thing to have arranged for the children of your family and friends! I would have had a blast at a place like that as a kid. I would have thought the parents would have appreciated a free night out/off. What is wrong with people these days?”
That Sounds Like A Lovely Compromise
“Not the jerk. That sounds like a lovely compromise, and I bet the kids were happier there than they would have been at a wedding reception. Let’s face it: not many five-year-olds really *want* to sit through a long ceremony and a bunch of speeches, or to eat fancy grown-up wedding food.
My kid self would have much preferred the pizza! Also, when you said it was ‘far’, I was picturing somewhere much, much further away than five minutes down the road.”
You Went Above And Beyond!
“Definitely not the jerk. You went WAY beyond what most people do for child-free weddings. You are honestly a superstar of a bride.
Your family/friends sound like a bunch of ungrateful people – I’m inclined to think your husband is right, that you spend a lot of money and still were totally hated!
Honestly, this is amazing- you went way above the call of duty and people are awful.”
People Are Stupid
“They got free babysitters, their children would have an amazing time and they can calmly enjoy the wedding.
People are stupid.”
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