THAT'S EXACTLY how we did it! I don't know why you always have to read something into it, aggressively add your two cents when you know nothing about it???!
I don't want children's dances, no bouncy castle, no table magician. It's not a children's birthday party! It's a day for my wife and me. Anyone who doesn't accept THAT is, in my opinion, selfish! The kids can happily be the center of attention the other 364 days.
I'm not talking about teenage children, but about children who depend on their parents and constantly have to be occupied by them!
That's your right, you pay for the music, you decide who gets in and who doesn't.
I interpret it as I perceive it and wouldn't be friends with you either. You started the friend discussion, not me.
Maybe you or your wife are also dissatisfied with the overall situation.
We once had a very good couple of friends, the former best friend eventually freaked out when we had our first child and they came to visit us. He lashed out at her, always the children in the foreground, he couldn't stand it anymore bla blubb.
He never wanted a child but didn't want to lose her. At first, we were enemies with the child.
They had another child three years after us when she wanted to leave him. Now they have a forced child that holds the marriage together. The friendship is gone. I didn't want anything to do with him anymore.
Honestly, I don't want anything to do with you either. Your reaction reminds me of Frank back then. He was also a little Alessandro and didn't want a bouncy castle, club, sports, kids' gymnastics.