Irks me to see mums boasting about "childfree" nights out & "kid free weekends away"

[Bridgetjoneski]

I just find it very distasteful! I have one or two mum friends on insta & know them in real life. But at least every fortnight they have insta posts up about "kid free" night out with dh or "kid free weekend away". They are quite wealthy & both work full time, I just find it very unsavoury. Tag a dinner your hubby but no need to state the kids absense.
Is this a rising trend or just limited to the pair I know? The latest status tagging the latest dinner out was "not a child in sight"...

Also, @Butterdishy

It is only one aspect of a distinct moment in time.

The rest of this moment could be comprised of:
Date with husband/ partner.
Enjoying the ambiance at [wherever].
Having a superb meal out.
Enjoying cocktails with X, Y, Z.
Enjoying getting dressed up and dancing the night away.
Really regretting the high heels.
Freezing in my little black dress.
Hoping the tow truck will get here soon...

Why emphasise the fact that you're away from the children when there could be so much more to your evening?

I'm a single parent and if, once in a blue moon, I do get a night out and pay for a sitter, I might post something similar. I don't have hobbies because I can't leave the house in the evenings with DC left alone, so yes, I do like to show I can go out without them now and then.

Why post anything on social media? Why are you so offended at one specific thing...I mean if you think about it there is no need to post most things. There are worse things online to get upset about!

100% agree with what you said. And also the fact that there is a constant encouragement from the society to complain about parenting where is in reality all you here at playgroups is constant complaints...weird world

I’m childfree every other weekend, and refer to it as such, because my daughter is at her dad’s house. I don’t refer to being childfree any other time though.

Unless they're playing constantly, the point is it's the rarity of the event and usually a bit tongue in cheek

It is incredibly rare that my husband and I get child free time together so if that what us id be excited for a child-free evening. If you’re a sahm to school age children you have nearly 30 hours to do chores, do stuff for yourself and get plenty of down time. For many working parents, their down time is ferrying children to places and they don’t get a lot of time to themselves so that evening out without the kids becomes special. Your posts come across as being pretty sanctimonious and judgy.

So you are a stay at home mum?! Time working at your job is down time. Time with your children is also not downtime.

Its perfectly fine to celebrate the rare moments each month when you are truly relaxing which is when you are not at work and not looking after your children.

No matter how much you love your children caring for them is work.

Where are you getting those definitions from? Oxford English Dictionary is perfectly fine with a date, at say a night club or spa hotel, being described as childfree

It seems to me after careful consideration of your post that pointing out the crassness has left you grasping at some very ridiculous straws.

Alternatively - # you know I'm right.

Completely agree OP. Can't believe how many people are misding the point of your post and some being very rude to you to boot! How many times have you had to explain that it's the hashtags that irk you, not the idea of some time out with just friends or DH? I admire your patience!

I only post that I’m out without the kids if it’s me and my hubby together as we’re lucky if we get 2-3 nights out a year as we only have a couple of people that can babysit for it. It doesn’t mean we don’t love our children because we want some time together without them!

I actually think you're just incapable of separating your own biases and insecurities from technically correct usage of a factually correct statement.

In the nicest possible way.. you’re a SAHM to kids who are at school and your friends work 40 hour weeks and have kids so that sounds exhausting! You get the whole time your kids are at school to yourself to lunch and do Pilates so no wonder they look forward to some kid free downtime! Your life isn’t comparable!

I agree.

If I'm away with my husband for the weekend, I'm childfree. I really don't get the issue at all.

You've never heard the word "free" except in the context of a date night without children present?

You don't understand the idea that the meaning of words can have negative implications that extend far beyond the literal, and that words which are fairly new (such as childfree) signify a shift in culture?

Help me understand your problem here.

Meh, nothing to get her up about.

Your social media postings are likely to be equally grim to others.

Our DC are older teens and call me bruh or lad. They would not be seen dead around my social media.

I don't post anything new at their request but have a back catalogue of memories I enjoy.

(Is it already half term)

You're "away for the weekend with your husband".

Why emphasise the fact you've got away from the children?

Would you like it if your colleagues posted references to the lovely "Southlondonmum free" time they were having when they're away on their holidays?

When their children have kids, they’ll probably end up babysitting!

Maybe that’s because you’ve got so much time!

I’ve had 3 nights off in 4 years. Child free is HUGE.

As adults surely they have interests of their own beyond parenting? It's merely a way for them to express relief and gratitude for some alone time with other grown ups. People sometimes say much more disconcerting things about their kids than "oh, we don't have them tonight, phew!', It's probably a subconcious humble brag abut how they are able to do it while many others do struggle to get time alone. Insta is not real life.

Language evolves. Your children are grown, so perhaps you're of an age where your understanding of the term doesn't reflect current popular usage.

I don't think we've been introduced, nor do I believe we know each other to the extent that you can conduct an assessment of my personality, motives in posting, or general life circumstances.

You still know I'm right, though.

Otherwise why the ad hominem?

It's excellent to see people with kids enjoying time out without their children. Because one day those kids grow up, leave home and you are back to the primary relationship of husband and wife.

Exactly @mathanxiety there are so many more appropriate ways to word a night out with friends or dp without gleefully stating there's "not a kid in sight".. It's not an acceptable or respectful way to talk about ones children.