Child free event

[namechangingforobvsreasons]

Is it unreasonable to expect people to book a babysitter for a few hours. Even If it's a daytime event?

They definitely shouldn’t “demand” that their child comes along. If I was invited to a child free event and I couldn’t / didn’t want to arrange childcare, I just wouldn’t go.

What soup dragon said

More information needed for a proper answer.

How old is the child for starters?

What is the "special" event?

It's not a wedding is it ?

Unfortunately, not everyone has family and friends that are available all the time to babysit nor can they afford to pay for childcare as it isn't the cheapest and/or need to be able to feel comfortable leaving their child with them.

I have family that can possibly babysit but they aren't available all the time, as a result my partner and I were last out alone 6 months ago and the next one is the end of this month. I've been fortunate that when emergencies have come up I've had help and when we moved a few weeks back my parents were able to take our child for majority of the weekend, not everyone has that though.

Totally inappropriate to take a child to a ‘childfree’ event, if you can’t arrange or afford childcare then you just politely turn down the invitation, not just turn up with your child.

It sounds like their are two parents in your oop so the kid should be left with the other parent.

I wouldn't leave my kids with a random babysitter. If their dad or grandparents weren't available then I wouldn't go.

I’ve never understood this whole leave your child alone with a complete stranger business. I would opt not to go to a child free event over getting some random from a baby sitting agency.

I would never use a random baby sitter, agency or otherwise. If I couldn’t get family or if DH was working or something then I just wouldn’t go.

You’re not exactly giving away any details though OP.

I don't think it matters if they can't afford it, maybe they can't find anyone they are comfortable in living their children with.

They shouldn't however bring their children to a child free event and they shouldn't go or only one goes.

Sorry meant to add though, that at the same time people shouldn't just bring their children to a non children event, they have the right and choice to decline.

She shouldn't drag the kid along. That's bad form.

Nothing wrong with a child free event but don't be surprised when people don't come. I wouldn't have been able to get a sitter generally as we never lived near relations and as dd is asd very few people could cope. Dh worked 7 dats a week when they were young most weeks so it would be exceptional for him to be available.

Not unreasonable not to want/be able to get a babysitter and miss the event. Totally unreasonable to insist on bringing child along to a child-free event. Tell her she can’t come.

but don't be surprised when people don't come

That is kind of the point though - this person isn't "not coming" she is demanding that she brings her child along.

Mine and DH's entire family live on another continent. We have friends over here but if they aren't free (which is usually the case on a weekend) then what am I supposed to do?

And as other PPs have said even if you have the money for a babysitter you need to trust the person you're leaving alone at your property with your children. That's difficult if it's someone you've never met before. Maybe people aren't prepared to take that risk for an event that they aren't that bothered about?

Sorry I just want to clarify - I'm not advocating that someone bring a child along who wasn't invited. That's rude. I simply meant that you need to be prepared for them to decline the invite altogether

I just think it's a bit selfish to demand that you bring your child when others are not
So tell them "no - it's adults only. I/we understand if you can't make it and hopefully see you at another time"