A new mom is generating buzz after choosing not to attend her cousin’s wedding due to a strict “no children” policy. This controversial rule has sparked a heated debate about the inclusion of kids at weddings, with a recent YouGov poll showing that 41% of Americans disapprove of such restrictions, while 37% support them.
The situation escalated when the mom, who currently lives abroad, shared her predicament on Reddit under the username u/Fun-Imagination4145. She mentioned that attending the wedding requires travel and accommodation arrangements that she made with her family—only to find out just weeks before the ceremony that children under 12 were not allowed. “I have a four-month-old who only breastfeeds,” she explained, finding the idea of traveling back and forth to a rented Airbnb during the event unfeasible.
Upon informing her cousin about her decision to skip the event, backlash ensued. The groom was upset, as their guest count was already set and couldn’t be adjusted. He accused her of being “stingy” for not hiring a babysitter, and pointed out that it’s standard for weddings to be adults-only. However, the mom countered that many others also canceled, with about 30 guests opting out due to the same issue.
Etiquette expert Gottsman weighed in, suggesting that the mom made the right choice. “Her priority is clearly her baby,” she noted, emphasizing that weddings should accommodate family situations. Many commenters on Reddit supported the mom, pointing out that expecting her to find a babysitter for a young child in an unfamiliar location at the last minute was unreasonable. One user even stated, “It’s an invitation, not a summons.”
This scenario illustrates the ongoing divide over child-free weddings and serves as a reminder that family dynamics and personal circumstances should be considered in such decisions.