Seriously, it's your joy, not ours. Not everyone gushes over a child, now a puppy dog, that's another story.

Children are the greatest for-real treasures. I love being with their wonderful energies.

Some of us don’t have kids but most people do so either the friendship fades (permanently -or temporarily until their kids grow up) due to the different lifestyle choices, or you learn to accept that to spend time with your friend means also being around their offspring &/or partner.

Having 2 kids of my own I never took my kids out w me when I hung out w my friends - I hated that as a single person so I never did that w my friends. It’s not bad to have time away from your kids when you need a break from being a mom/dad. It’s also good for the kids.

I understand your feelings. People who don’t have little kids don’t want to spend every social occasion surrounded by them, and there are times when you just want to spend time with your friend without kids present. I feel like this is a typical modern day scenario though, where people with kids expect them to always be welcome no matter what. It’s like some parents have forgotten the concept of babysitters or something. (And btw, I’m a parent myself.)

They're now in a different chapter in their lives, being parents. Yes, I understand that you miss the child-free time with your friends. I know what you're talking about: I get tired of the conversations around toys, naps, snack time, Billy Jim Bob can now sit up, etc. Hardly have the mental space to dote on someone else's children these days. But you're less of a priority now; their childrearing is their priority. A babysitter is running between $15-20/hour currently, so if you really want to make adult-only time with your friends, you could help pitch in toward babysitting costs. Otherwise yes, the gatherings will include the kids. Parents of small kids are extremely preoccupied and exhausted with sleep deprivation. Make it easier for them to hang out with you, and they'll meet you partway.

Is when you invite them out and make sure to accommodate their kids and in return they don't invite you to their hangouts...

What I don't get is how people who get married and have kids suddenly think EVERYONE needs to get married and have kids. No, it's not for everyone and that's OK.