Children at Weddings

[Flying Scotsman]

Let me apologize if I offended anyone with the "Breeder Bingo" comment...it was meant to be funny, but I can see how someone might not take it that way. (It's a humorous way that the child-free among us handle the standard comments and questions we get from those who don't understand our life choices). I would never purposefully insult anyone on this forum...I very much enjoy the courtesy and consideration that people here show each other.

Please accept my apology.

 

[BegintheBeguine]

Thanks. Some of us are not child-free by choice, also, for many reasons.

 

[Smithy]

Children should be included or excluded as the celebrants wish. Whether or not one annoyingly expresses a dislike or low tolerance for children at a wedding is a reflection of the guest's poor breeding and behavior, not the children.

I beg to disagree with you there scotrace. In all the weddings I have been to there has always been children and the vast majority of times it's been great. Children should be involved and from the discussion here, it seems that no one expects the young ones to behave as if they are in Victorian times. However, one time I was at a wedding where the parents allowed their kids (2 of them) to shout, fight and run up and down the aisle even during the ceremony. This annoyed not just myself but many others, and I think you cannot entirely blame our response to this on our awfully "poor breeding"!

In terms of children at weddings, of course it's up to the celebrants, it's their day. We will be having quite a few children at our wedding next year. The only thing that I hope for (and knowing the parents I know they will) is that if one of the kids really starts acting up then mum or dad will sort it out.

Just my 2c worth!

Tim.

 

[mysterygal]

I read this in a different way. A lot of problems result from the parents not using common sense. Kids will be kids...some you CAN take anywhere without a problem, and then you have the loud type (of which I have one myself) where it's just best to get a sitter. It's not at all about keeping the kids silent. kids are curious and need that need nurtured. But if your little one is curious about the feathers on the ladie's hat who is sitting in front of you and is screaming and demanding to pull them off, the parent is the one who needs to take the responsibility and remove the child from the situation.
Like I said before, some things are just more age appropriate, and it's really up to the parent to use common sense to see what their child can handle. (sometimes screaming from kids is that they are simply overwhelmed....this is another reason for parents to really know their kids)
babysitters; Just because you are poor doesn't mean you can't get a babysitter. There are plenty of people who trade babysitting.

 

[Paisley]

Not only do kids not need to go everywhere their parents go, they don't necessarily want to. I had to sit through plays and concerts and the occasional church service when I was in grade school, and it felt like a punishment: I was restless and bored, but I knew I couldn't squirm around. I imagine I'd have felt the same way at a wedding. But a party with cake and games would have been a treat!

 

[scotrace]

Smithy, I think we're actually on exactly the same page. Kids are going to act up, and adults are going to be annoyed. The thing is to try and be a help, if possible, and at least not complain to all around you. "These kids! Whatsa wrong with the PARENTS!?"
I think that's the sort of thing you save until you are safely inside your car, on the way home, where you can also safely talk about Aunt Myrtle's loud swearing when she's drunk.

 

[Pilotguy299]

Kids were at my wedding

and my wife's 8mo old niece rode with us in the limo on the way to the reception. we were not only fine with having kids at our wedding, but wanted them there. there were a few interruptions and occasional noises, but it worked well. there was one that started to cry, but the mom immediately walked out of the church and came back after she quieted down.

I agree that it's up to the couple getting married though!