To be annoyed with parents allowing their "just walking " toddlers to wander aimlessly

[Ab1000]

When I'm on my lunch break I'm always in a rush to get stuff done. It's so annoying when parents allow their kids to toddle around and get in everyone's way. I have two children so I do know what it's like but mine were either on reins or had a hand firmly held.

[TitaniasCloset]

Its always in coffee shops too. Yes your toddler might be careful, but I'm carrying a tray of hot drinks to my table and unlikely to be looking down! Ffs.

[PJBanana]

This annoys me so much.

I was in the doctor's waiting room last week and a man came in with his DD. She was probably 2ish and walking around, climbing over everything and he showed zero interest at all, didn't even look up from his phone. She inevitably fell off one of the chairs and screamed the place down.

Just what a room full of sick people want!

YANBU.

[Alexthekid]

Toddlers toddling, fancy that!

[Ilovecaindingle]

I was nearly hyperventilating Xmas week with a toddler wandering around Primark. I had a ds with me - but at my side - tiny prob 2yo in and out the rails - I hesitated in saying anything but had to - could feel stress levels rising!! I just said to her not to walk away from her mam. Woman not in the least concerned. Was thinking back to little girl snatched from Primark last year.
.. She was so lucky.

[wizzywig]

yep they are fricking annoying, especially on the school run. do your walkies between 9 and 3. or get them to walk infront or behind you so they dont take up the whole pavement.

[Ab1000]

Alexthekid I've no objection to toddlers toddling just not in places where they will get hurt when someone trips over them.

[Backt0Black]

Annoying. PFB parents oooh and ahhing at how simply adorable PFB is while I everyone does that dancy left right thing trying to avoid giving their cherub a knee to the head.

Yes they have to lean to walk....but is Durham City Centre on a Saturday morning really optimum timing????

oh and f*ck off with the 'ooooh careful PFB' AFTER the event. Nobody is buying that as parenting.

[PidgeyfinderGeneral]

I was trying to get through a crowded shopping centre recently and was rammed right in the shins by a child who can't have been more than two using a scooter. FFS, there's a time and a place, and letting your toddler attempt to scoot in a crowded place is not one of them.

[Tomorrowillbeachicken]

I don't think all are PFBs though with amount I see on school run.

[Soubriquet]

Must say I rarely see this

Most kids now days are stuck in a buggy. Even older children. Especially when busy

[TheFairyCaravan]

Toddlers toddling through busy airports dragging Trunkis is my pet hate. They stop dead and anyone walking behind almost goes arse over tit.

[IslaLettuce]

And then as soon as the toddlers are able to walk they are shoved back into pushchairs until school age.

[Rainydayspending]

Toddlers. On a school run. Imagine . It's a novel idea but when planning my school run I take into account it takes longer with other people using the pavement too. But then I'm not mumsnet posh enough for a private lane all the way to the school gate.

[MadHattersWineParty]

Drives me nuts trying to get up or down the stairs in the station when a parent is letting the kid amble on the stairs. There's a queue of people behind you you twat it's not 'cute' to wait for a tiny person to take a flight of stairs at their own pace.

Pick. The. Kid. Up. Or for the love of Pete please just don't do it during rush hour!

[Tomorrowillbeachicken]

The climbing on inappropriate things annoys me more than the toddling though. A few times I have ended up catching someone else's toddler as the alternative was letting them fall as the parent was staring at their phone.

[KittyVonCatsington]

I don't see many PFB Parents doing this actually but those subsequent children, where those parents don't think they need to keeps as close an eye on them as they think as they've been there done that, actually.
It's the PFB parents that helicopter around their PFBs usually.

[Screenburn]

YANBU, definitely agree infuriating, particularly in stations and on stairs etc. No your PFB does not have a 'right' to do what it wants when it impinges on other people!

[Floggingmolly]

At least the toddler was moving, however slowly...
I once saw a toddler (about 18 months) dancing in the doorway of a busy shop, refusing to move elsewhere, while a queue to get out the door built up behind her. Her mum was entranced by this and reacted quite badly to the suggestion that she pick the child up and move her before her "performance" had finished.
Gobsmacking.

[GinIsIn]

Oh god toddlers and small children on scooters in the supermarket - why?!

Also, the stairs at the tube station in rush hour are not the ideal learning ground for your toddler to practice their steps!!

[bumsexatthebingo]

YABU. Why the hell should toddlers be confined to reins rather than allowed to explore just so you don't have to bother yourself to walk around them? I was ready to say yanbu because I thought you were going to say it was in a restaurant or somewhere where there are safety issues but no - you just think you are more entitled to paving space than they are!

[MadMags]

I agree, Ab.

Time and place.

[Hadenoughoftumble]

My dd was 2.5 when she learned to walk (I started to doubt it would ever happen!) so I let her walk. Not in places she will hurt herself or near busy roads etc but whilst shopping and things I definitely do. I understand that people are busy but everyone has the right to occupy the same space and people don't have to get out of your way because you're in a rush! It would be nice if everyone just showed a little understanding to everyone else.

Also please never judge how old a child is in a buggy! Although my dd is almost 3 she will need a buggy for a lot longer because she gets tired very quickly when walking because she has serious heart problems. You would not know this to look at her!

[MadMags]

Had yes everyone should show a little understanding. Even proud parents of toddlers!

[bumsexatthebingo]

Do you feel the same about elderly people who are a bit slower op?

[hazeyjane]

Jeez, put them in a buggy and get judged, let them walk and get judged!

(Ds does both staggers slowly down the road like a drunk crab, or is a big boy in a buggy, people may huff and tut all they like!)