to be proud of the way DS dealt with this?

[Bogeyface]

even if I am not happy about what he did?

We went out today to a local interactive museum and it was a first as it was me, H, my teenage DD (who is too cool to come out with us normally!), the 4 youngers ones and eldest DS and his GF. So 9 of us! It was a bit hectic!

It was a really great day, and it ended with us in a particular area where the kids are encouraged to run around and explore. The rules were laid down by me that they should not leave the area AT ALL. But DS2 (7) decided that I might have gone to the gift shop that he had been desperate to get into all day, so he went there. It was next to the area we were in and as the adults (4 of us and 1 teen) were watching them, we all thought that the other one was with him (yes, I know, lesson learned).

He couldnt find me and then couldnt find his way back. So he went to the information desk and said "I cant find my mum, her name is Mrs Bogey Face and we live at Bogey Face Towers". So they put a call out for me, and although I was very cross with him for not following the rules, I was quietly proud with the fact that he had obviously listened to me when I said what he should do if he got lost. The ladies at the desk said he was great, wasnt worried or upset and knew exactly what to do.

He got a rocket up him for wandering off, but still.......

Mum has been saying that it doesnt matter how he dealt with it, he shouldnt have done it at all and that I am wrong to be relieved that he knows what to do. Would she rather he was running around screaming his head off?!

AIBU?

[LeaveTheBastid]

YANBU, he sounds like he did well and you're right to be relieved that he knows what to do, but make sure he knows next time he decides to run off he may not have a safe place like that to go to that can put out a call for you to come and get him.

[Bogeyface]

Leave I can confidently say that he has been left in no doubt of that!

Did I mention the rocket? He got a SERIOUS bollocking.

[Bogeyface]

He is a bit of a handful tbh, and worse than that, is very intelligent which isnt always a positive thing

[WorraLiberty]

YANBU you should be very proud of him

Well...proud, annoyed and relieved in equal measures

But mostly relieved

[LeaveTheBastid]

good! Lesson learned I'm sure

Your mum is probably just in shock/scared that it happened hence her tough approach, I'm sure she is glad he knows what to do.

[cookielove]

I remember quite clearly the fear of being a lost child, it sent me into a horrible panic, well done to your ds for knowing what to do! !

[WorraLiberty]

How long after it happened did you speak to your Mum?

If it was a fair while (more than a few hours), I'd guess by then the panic and anger in you had disappeared...leaving you feeling relieved that he had the presence of mind to do as you'd taught him.

But from your Mum's POV, her heart probably leapt upon learning about it and therefore she was probably in that 'panic/angry' state you were in when you first learned he wandered off?

Once she's slept on it, she may well come to the same conclusion as you and see the good in the fact he kept calm and sought help.

[Bogeyface]

Well thats the thing, we didnt know he had wandered off until the call came and then it was like a tribal chant from the adults, "JOHN!" (not his real name). And that does make me feel bad, that we all thought that he was with one of the others, as I said, lesson learned.

Mum can be a drama llama so prefers to focus on the fact that he could have been abducted etc rather than the fact that he did the right thing. Of course what could have happened has sent me into spins, but I have learnt from it and so has DS hopefully.

[differentnameforthis]

You should be proud that he knew what to do, however, I think he shouldn't know that.

He should know he did wrong.