AITA for telling a mother in my women’s group she’s projecting onto childfree women?

Imagine a cozy virtual circle: eight women, Zoom screens aglow, sharing laughs and struggles in a support group born before the pandemic’s haze. A 29-year-old woman, happily childfree, joins hands (digitally, of course) with a mix of moms and one other kid-free ally, all bound by a pact to lift each other up. Moms often vent—kids, chaos, and all—and she’s cool with it, cheering their grit. But during a Sunday meet-up, the vibe shifts when Janet, a mom of three, declares a “primal urge” to mother is universal, and denying it is “delusion.”

Ouch! Our childfree duo bristles, calling it projection—Janet’s own doubts seeping out. Sparks fly, Janet logs off, and a two-week ban lands on the non-moms. Was the pushback fair, or a group foul? The chat’s buzzing with hurt and heat—let’s zoom into this stormy saga!

‘AITA for telling a mother in my women’s group she’s projecting onto childfree women?’

A women’s group should be a safe harbor, but this Zoom call turned choppy when Janet’s “primal urge” claim splashed cold water on childfree members. Our 29-year-old and her ally fired back, spotting projection—Janet’s wobbles about mom life coloring her view. The result? A ban for “lifestyle shaming,” though Janet’s words stung first. Hurt feelings and a group split ensued, leaving trust wobbly.

This mirrors a broader clash: motherhood versus choice. A 2021 Pew Research study shows 44% of U.S. adults aged 18-49 opt out of kids, citing freedom or finances (source). Dr. Bella DePaulo, a social psychologist, notes, “The idea of a universal maternal instinct is a myth; personal values shape these choices, and shaming either side fuels division” (source).

Dr. DePaulo’s lens fits: Janet’s blanket claim sidelined valid paths, while the ban ignored her jab. A fix? The lead could mediate—hear both sides, clarify intent, and reset respect. Childfree or not, all deserve a voice. Try a new group if bias lingers, and chat openly: “Hey, let’s honor all paths.”

These are the responses from Reddit users:

Reddit swooped in like a lively crew, serving up sharp takes with a twist of sass—here’s the unfiltered scoop on this group’s showdown. Dive in!

These Reddit nuggets crackle with fire, but do they light the way to truth or just fan the flames?

This Zoom clash—moms, childfree women, and a “primal urge” debate—left screens flickering with tension. Janet’s bold claim met a fierce callout, but a ban on the non-moms smells like a double standard, leaving one ready to bolt and another craving peace. Support should lift all, not pit choice against choice. Could a frank talk or a fresh group smooth this rift? Reddit’s got thoughts, but the jury’s still sipping coffee. What would you do—mend the circle or find a new one? Toss your takes, tales, or fixes below—let’s untangle this knot together!