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AIBU?

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To challenge a person's parenting at the park

157 replies

HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 16/05/2024 08:07

Sorry for the long post, don't want to drip feed.

TLDR is that I confronted a man for not supervising his young toddler at the work and my husband thinks I should have minded my own business.

Last week I was at the park with my kids. While there I noticed a small child, maybe around 2 or a little younger, completely unsupervised. I saw him close to the edge of play equipment high up several times, and assisted him down/warned him to be careful. This happened several times. Some of the drops were pretty significant. He also requested my help to climb up ladders etc. I felt a little uncomfortable as I was obviously a complete stranger to this child but I did so.

I was able to follow him around a bit as I was a little worried. My kids and their cousin are 7, 7 and 4 so I felt ok to let them run around while I followed this child with my 9 mth old in a pushchair. It just seemed unsafe to leave him.

For context, the park has a very dense play structure and you can't see through it to the other side very easily. There are also three areas designated by recommended age. This child was in the 'big kid's' area. There is only one entrance/exit to the park so I sometimes feel comfortable sitting there with my baby as I know I will see my boys if they try to leave the park. But definitely not when they were small toddlers. A large part of the big kid's area is not visible from the entrance.

Anyway, I eventually figured out this boy had an older sister (maybe 5). I saw her bang her head and be comforted by another family. Again, no parent in sight. Then I started to get really concerned.

After about 20 minutes of this I was ready to leave but I felt it was unsafe to leave this boy unattended. I asked the boy where his parents were, but he was too young to understand what I was asking. So I started looking around for someone who was the guardian of this child.

I went to the entrance of the park and saw a man sitting on his phone watching some kind of sporting event on his phone (I could hear it). He was completely engrossed. He was the only adult there not obviously supervising a child. As I debated whether to approach him, the little boy ran full speed out of the park and headed towards the car park, right past the man. I waited for him to jump up, but he didn't for a few seconds so I thought, oh he must not be the dad, I should go and make sure the boy doesn't leave the park.

At that moment the man got up slowly, stretched and casually hops over the bench. He slowly makes his way over to the toddler.

I decided to say something. I said 'excuse me, your little boy was playing in the big kid's area and nearly fell several times. You should really watch him more closely'.

He looked sheepish and gestures to his son, 'This one?'

I quickly gathered my kids and left, shaking a bit as I don't like confrontation. As I did this I noticed him following behind his child very closely.

My husband thinks I may have overstepped.

OP posts:
HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 16/05/2024 08:19

@Starlightstarbright3

Yes it's very long, sorry. I didn't want to drip feed.

OP posts:
TeenDivided · 16/05/2024 08:19

What you said was fine.

However I suggest you don't help other kids up ladders, if they can't get up them themselves they are probably too small to be going up, a natural barrier.

Giveupnow · 16/05/2024 08:19

he needed to be called out.

Starlightstarbright3 · 16/05/2024 08:18

Very long post … I think what you said was fine .

it was to the point

HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 16/05/2024 08:17

Sorry, it's meant to say at the park not at the work.

My husband thinks I should have minded my own business and I was also worried about getting in trouble following around/touching a stranger's child.

OP posts:
MusicOrDrama · 16/05/2024 08:16

You did the right thing op.

Schoolrefusa · 16/05/2024 08:13

I think you did the right thing by that little boy . It sounds like you were reasonable and polite and that the boy needed close supervision so I think it was kind of you to brave saying something as always awkward. That takes caring and I'd have wanted someone to speak up for my small child's safety too if there was an obvious risk to him