Children definitely affect friendships. Most of my friends adore my kids and love hanging out with them. But, I do see less of my "adults only" type friends because I value my time with my kids and they come first. Though I don't take them everywhere, the hassle and expensive of hiring a sitter makes me pretty selective in things I do attend.

"Adult time" should be just as important as "kid time." Ditching friends who don't have kids or who maybe just don't care for children is a bad idea! You need to have adult time too and can't only surround yourself with those who share your kid-loving views. Friendships are important too!

disagree. i ditched anyone who didn't want to be around my children and or hear about them. being a mom isn't a part time gig for me, it's my whole entire life. we lost many "friends" when my oldest daughter was diagnosed with autism. that was fine because if the most important thing in my life doesn't register to them; they don't get me.

seriously, if you had a family member on a transplant list would you be okay with "friends" not wanting to hear about it?

and as far as people being "no children" kind of people, what are they 16? people grow and mature and usually move on from the selfish ME stage where only what they want is allowed to enter their world. i would have been REALLY offended if a friend had snubbed my child. that is outrageous. children are still learning how to behave, adults should already have that covered.

I can totally see a lessoning of friendships with people who dont care to be around my kids and dont treat them very well or where they are forbidden topics. They are your KIDS. Why is any activity, career, interest that DOESNT involve kids ultimately more important then kids? Everyone talks about everything in their lives, and if theyve got kids, its part of their lives, just like if they have pets, or if they have are going to school or doing whatever. It's never the mark of a true friend to snub any part of your life or anything that is important to you. People are so incredibly selfish these days.

I agree that adult time is equally important, but that does NOT mean that you should be forced to be friends with people that have an "acceptable list" of topics you can discuss. Everything is about moderation anyway. No one should be unable to discuss anything but one subject, whether its club hopping or their kids.

yeah I agreed with some of you, is hard to make a combination of your friends and your kids, but for the must part they turn out to like your kids after a while