When Friendship and Childcare Collide: A Tale of Expectations and Boundaries

We all love our friends, right? But what happens when one friend’s life choices start to impact the group dynamics in a big way? This is a tale of five friends, a baby, and a whole lot of drama. It’s about boundaries, expectations, and the complex world of modern friendships. So buckle up, folks, because this ride is about to get bumpy!

The Group Dynamics

Enter Lilly, the Expectant Mother

The Deadbeat Dad Dilemma

The Group’s Concerns

Lilly’s Decision

The Friendship Fray

The Shared Responsibility?

The Group’s Stance ‍♀️

The Clash of Expectations

The Big Question ❓

Lilly’s Justification

The Baby, The Friends, and The Fallout: A Summary

Five friends find themselves in a pickle when one of them, Lilly, becomes a single mom and expects the group to share the responsibility of caring for her child. With the baby’s father out of the picture, Lilly feels it’s only fair her friends step up. But the friends, who are enjoying their freedom and have no children of their own, see it differently. They believe Lilly made her choice and should bear the responsibility. As the tension mounts, their friendship frays at the edges. Let’s see how the internet weighs in on this sticky situation…

NTA: Friend refusing to accept responsibility for her child

“NTA. Her kid, her responsibility. Friends can help, not expect.”

Romanticized expectations of motherhood and childcare lead to unrealistic assumptions

“NTA. Paid childcare exists and you and friends are not responsible for another woman’s child, not even if they’re your best friend. It’s kind to help out in temporary emergency situations, or for special occasions by your choice and offer, but even that is not necessary. And why would anyone want their child stuck with people on a regular basis who don’t want them?” – Friend expects us to share childcare responsibility, but this is different. ‍♀️

“Definitely NTA. Expecting you all to co-parent is wrong.”

Lonely and overwhelmed Lily seeks mom friends for support. NTA.

Lily’s the a-hole, but the deadbeat dad too.

Friends’ childcare help is a bonus, but not obligatory.

Single parent seeks occasional help, but respects others’ boundaries.

NTA: Having a kid means missing out, not co-parenting

NTA. Friend regrets having child, but not your responsibility.

NTA. Boundaries are key. You’re not obligated to overextend yourself.

NTA: Boundaries matter, even when it comes to childcare

No a**hole here!

Supportive but not responsible. Boundaries and choices respected.

NTA- Set boundaries with your friend about childcare responsibilities

NTA: One person’s decision shouldn’t burden unwilling villagers

You’re not the a**hole. It’s not your responsibility.

NTA: Setting boundaries and prioritizing safety for everyone involved

NTA: Boundaries crossed. No co-parenting agreement. Live with her decisions

Childcare expectations meet reality. ‍♀️

NAH: Finding new friends when boundaries are not respected

NTA for not taking care of friend’s kid. Boundaries matter

NTA, but friend expects too much from childless friends

Boundaries crossed: NTA, not your kid, not your responsibility

NTA: Friend chose to have a baby, her responsibility

Setting boundaries with friends can be tough

Friend expects commenter to be Mom #2, but they’re tired of it. ‍♀️

NTA: Her baby, her responsibility. Rotating events? Comical.

Stand your ground and tell her to cut the crap

NTA, her child… her responsibility.

Parent feels sorry for child, thinks they’re seen as burden

NTA: Friend expects too much, should’ve listened and not had baby

Surprising comment about parenting choices!

NTA. Set boundaries, support your friend, don’t enable bad decisions.

Don’t burden friends with childcare; respect their boundaries.

NTA- Stop enabling Lilly. She needs to grow up

NTA. Tough love may be the wake-up call she needs

NTA, discuss boundaries with friend to avoid resentment and breakup.

NTA- It’s not your responsibility to raise her child

NTA: Set boundaries and suggest single mom support group for help

Respecting boundaries: it’s her kid, her responsibility.

NTA. Not your kid. Not your responsibility

Single mom shares her experience and supports OP’s decision.

Not your kid, not your problem

NTA. Breaking societal norms and discussing taboo topics.

NTA: Friend expects free babysitting, but should take responsibility

NTA. Setting boundaries with friends and their childcare expectations

NTA: Set boundaries with entitled friend who expects too much

Dumped on friends, parent needs to pull their head out

NTA. No obligation to babysit. Single mom should’ve known better

Lilly’s regretful decision: expecting friends to share her misery

NTA: Friend expects baby to be a movie prop

NTA at all!! Watching the kid is a favor, not expectation!

NTA – Boundaries set, no obligation to fix her poor choice

Not your kid, not your problem. Reality hit her hard.

NTA: Taking responsibility for one’s own choices and actions

NTA. Friend’s responsibility, not the whole group.

NTA. Set boundaries and suggest she hire a babysitter

NTA for refusing to babysit friend’s child. Boundaries matter

Friendship boundaries and responsibility in unplanned pregnancy situation.

Friend wants to relive single life, but not fair to friends. ‍♀️

NTA. The audacity of expecting you all to babysit regularly!

Friendship breakup over childcare expectations

Boundaries respected: It’s her kid, not yours

No entitlement to a babysitter who doesn’t want to babysit

Friendship boundaries: NTA for not wanting to be free babysitter

Not the a**hole. Let’s hear their side of the story!

NTA – No a**hole here.

NTA: Friends are not obligated to raise your child for you

Manipulative friend takes advantage of free childcare. No more!

NTA: Deadbeat dad, drama, and babysitting – not your problem

Set boundaries with friend to avoid being taken advantage of.

NTA. New mom expects too much from friends. ‍♀️