Single Group Activities with or without children

[catofhope]

So what is your preference when attending a Single Group Activity?

Allow people to bring their children or not?
Does it matter how old the children are - can they take care of themselves?

 

[Gimpy]

I think it is great to bring the kids. That way you can see the parents more in their natural element, as opposed to a purely manufactured one to impress the opposite sex.

 

[catofhope]

But there may also be a number of singles in the group never married and therefore without any children.

I think it really depends on the activity.
For more serious activities the children could take away from the focus.
But certainly think planning more fun activities like trip to the zoo could include the children.

 

[Gimpy]

But there may also be a number of singles in the group never married and therefore without any children.

.

Pure luck

 

[Jenster]

I put "depends." I like your idea about the zoo, for example, and I figure some of the never-married/no-kids singles would enjoy spending the day with their friends' kids.

We had a similar discussion at my church recently. Should the fellowship group, once said to be singles (or at least to include singles), also allow couples and families to attend? Most singles said they thought allowing children at every meeting would take the focus away from the adults and the ability of adults to interact in a meaningful way. I agree with that. But at an outing every now and then, I can see it working just fine to have kids there.

 

[country woman]

It depends on the situation and what you are doing. some times we have an outing at our church some bring kids some do not. I love kids so that does not matter.

 

[jcj3803]

It depends on the situation and what you are doing. some times we have an outing at our church some bring kids some do not. I love kids so that does not matter.

Yeah, e.g. I don't think bringing young kids to a classical music concert is a good thing - a lot would probably get too squirmy. OTOH, an outdoor picnic or BBQ would be fine - they could run off their energy.

Of course, there are undoubtedly some 4 year olds who are better behaved than adults at a concert...

Long bike rides wouldn't be good if the kids were too young to keep up.

Etc

 

[SandyLou]

I definitely think kids need to be added into the singles group equation. Our church group failed because the people in charge didn't consider kids so the single parents didn't ever attend. What a tremndous loss! To the group and to the individuals!

For the events not appropriate for kids or events the adults want to be adults, I think childcare could be arranged. Sharing babysitters, age appropriate caregivers, etc. Parents need adult time away from the kids but yes, activities WITH kids allow others to meet the families and interact.

So my answer. . .half and half!