Should I Have Asked My Friend Not to Bring Her Baby to Movie Night?

AITA for requesting my friend not to bring her baby to our movie night, sparking a debate on setting boundaries versus inclusivity in social gatherings?

Davy

Published in Interesting
August 9, 2025

Should I Have Asked My Friend Not to Bring Her Baby to Movie Night?

Are you the jerk for wanting a baby-free movie night with friends? Let's dive into this juicy AITA Reddit thread that has sparked quite the debate.

The original poster, a 28-year-old woman, shared her dilemma about asking her friend, who recently had a baby, not to bring the little one to their much-anticipated movie night. The OP explained that while she values adult-only gatherings for various reasons, her friend Sarah felt excluded when she was asked to leave the baby at home.

Some Redditors are quick to label the OP as NTA (Not The A**hole), stating that it's reasonable to want child-free time with friends. On the other hand, some argue that the OP should consider the new mom's feelings and find a compromise.

The thread is filled with diverse perspectives, from suggesting baby-friendly hangouts to emphasizing the importance of communication and understanding in maintaining friendships. As the comments pour in, the consensus seems to be split between setting boundaries for events and being flexible to accommodate friends' changing life situations.

The discussion touches on the delicate balance between personal preferences and group dynamics, highlighting the need for empathy and open dialogue in resolving conflicts like these. So, what's your take on this contentious issue?

Original Post

I (28F) have a group of friends that we h**g out with regularly. We've been planning a movie night for a while now, and we're all excited about it.

Quick context: one of my friends, let's call her Sarah, recently had a baby. She's a first-time mom and understandably wants to spend as much time with her baby as possible.

Here's where the conflict arises. Sarah asked if she could bring her baby to our movie night.

At first, I hesitated because we usually keep these gatherings adult-only for specific reasons like watching mature content or just having a break from kids. I gently explained to Sarah that we were hoping for a baby-free night this time.

Sarah seemed understanding at the moment, but later got upset and said I was excluding her due to her having a baby. She mentioned how she couldn't leave her baby with a sitter yet since it's still young.

I totally get her perspective, but I also feel like we should be able to have events without kids sometimes. So AITA for asking my friend not to bring her baby to our movie night?

I honestly don't know if I'm wrong here.