For not wanting our friend couple to bring baby over to our house?

You could get a playpen to put the baby in with a few toys.

That same poster had the audacity to tell me that she just KNEW I didn't have children...even though I do. Pay no heed to them. I await the insults of "my poor children..."😂

Oh and that I shouldn't be "ashamed or try to hide it" 🙄🤔

Yeah, it's tiresome.

Especially when one assesses the huge number of useless, dependent, anti-social, non-contributing and otherwise burdensome people the last 30-50 years of parenting has produced.

Imagine if parents of adult failures were made to repay all of the pro-family benefits they took.

It's absolutely fine, OP. You don't have to invite anyone to your house if you don't want to. It's entirely your prerogative.

Of course, it's equally up to your friends if they decide that they can't be arsed to be friends with you any more because of your lack of effort. Again, entirely their prerogative.

Married for 30 years and childless by choice here and you still sound like a nob to me

You should be able to create one child-safe room in your home in about 15 minutes, OP. Move everything that is both reachable and breakable into another room, or on to high shelves. Identify anything that might cause the baby damage (eg coffee table with glass corners) and either move it into another room or make it safe. Hoover the floor and wipe down the surfaces. Put an old but clean rug or blanket on the floor if you're worried about the carpet. Keep the door shut at all times while your visitors are there.
During the visit, it's the parents' job to the watch the baby, not yours, unless they specifically ask you to keep an eye on him/her while they are out of the room. There will be some attention on the child of course, but you can still have a nice chat with your friends for part of the evening and they will have a break from the daily grind.

You appear to suggesting that childless people must do everything requested of them by parents, in gratitude for them raising a future taxpayer, which is clearly bonkers.

Have seen this attitude so many times on here. Along with the old bum washing line.

Bingo. I knew it wouldn’t take long.

So this may sound very asshole like but me and my partner don’t see the point of inviting them over if its all gonna be centred about the baby.

Yep, it does.

YANBU OP. My home isn’t childproofed these days.

When my family and friends started having kids, it caused problems because despite my best efforts to childproof, things would always get damaged or broken in really unexpected ways and the parents would inevitably get defensive and suggest that I was at fault for buying expensive things or not having experience of children.

These days I don’t have parent friends and so I find hosting is much more enjoyable in the round. I don’t have or want to maintain a child-centric home or be shamed for not buying the cheapest of everything just in case it’s broken by a child.

Aye, and we’re paying for their care and education as they grow up. It’s the social contract.

You appear to suggesting that childless people must do everything requested of them by parents, in gratitude for them raising a future taxpayer, which is clearly bonkers.

What isn't? Keep digging.

Maybe think about offering them support and, y'know, being a decent friend rather than whether their kid will make a bit of a mess of your precious home.

Sounds like you aren't that fussed about doing that though, so better to just bin them off and find new friends.

The new mum probably doesn’t get to go out and socialise much, she might be isolated - she will value your friendship and company just now.

In similar circumstances for about 6 years I used to alternately take food and cook for them in their home - worked brilliantly for all of us. Mum got a rest and good company and guests washed up.

Or let them come to yours as a one-off, sit back, relax - and leave parents to be on their feet and on alert for the duration - they might realise themselves that it’s easier at home.

Oh FFS.

That baby while growing up will be the beneficiary of many benefits and societal infrastructures that the OP currently is paying for.

It’s fine Op. But you need to accept they won’t be being UR if they chose to stop putting the effort into your friendship.

how rude!

I understand the OP, I wouldn't want to have a baby/toddler crawling round my house, grabbing stuff either.

You'll be on tenterhooks OP not able to enjoy yourself, watching the kid all the time.

Sometimes you just want/need adult time.

One day that Baby will grow up and pay your pension.. just saying!

I had one DC when I was very young (followed by another when I was very old).

My friend had two DC in relativity quick succession. Her youngest was 7 years older than DC 1, so I was well out of the baby stage when her youngest was a toddler.

I moved to a new house (it was rented) and she came with her toddler to look around. It kind of annoyed me as she turned up uninvited and she knew that I had another, mutual, friend visiting at the same time.

It was safe for such a youngster, as I'd barely unpacked, so there were no ornaments, etc, for her to find.

My friend didn't tell me she was toilet training the toddler, she didn't bring a potty even. Her DD was also still in a pram.

Our mutual friend was heavily pregnant and sitting down, so toddler friend came in to chat. I kept saying I was worried about leaving her DD in the kitchen, but she said she was fine and had toys.

We heard a hell of a bang, friend rushed to see her DD. I followed a few minutes later, after she called out to say everything was fine.

She had the pushchair up against the other internal kitchen door (there were two), but the door was now open and pushed against the door, with the door stay keeping it open - fine.

She was bringing her DD into the front room with us, when her DD suddenly peed herself on the floor by the front door - a floor I had new carpet laid the day before. Due to this she rushed off to get her DD home and changed, and left me to entertain pregnant friend and clear up a whole load of urine soaked carpet.

Pregnant friend and I went into the kitchen to further inspect the noise we'd heard, and I closed the door - which is when I noticed the NEW door was broken. The front panel of the door had been ripped off, I found the wood in the bin. I can only guess the pushchair had somehow been wedged under the door and when pulled it broke off. Friend had kept the door open to stop us seeing the damage.

I did confront friend about it, but she denied it, although it was fine before she arrived and random bits of wood don't put themselves into the bin.

I had to pay for a new door as it was a rented house and the doors were fitted prior to me moving in.