Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Get off your phone and supervise your toddler!

133 replies

Toddlerteaplease · 15/10/2024 12:44

Kid of about 15 months just wandering round Caffè Nero. She's very interested in the hot drinks on low tables. She's approaching other people and playing with their phones. Mum is completely oblivious on her phone. FFS supervise your toddler!

OP posts:
oakleaffy · 15/10/2024 13:58

@Toddlerteaplease It’s plain to see the toddler ignorers here.

I
saw a old dad glued to his phone utterly oblivious of his child.
Poor kid was trying to interact- showing dad leaves 🍁 &c
Bur was ignored and tot wandered off.

I did keep eye on his kid, which is probably what these phone parents expect others in cafes to do.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 15/10/2024 13:55

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 15/10/2024 13:53

I don't! I ignore them and if that doesn't work tell them to go back to mummy or daddy. I certainly wouldn't be happy about some kid playing with my phone

Show quote history

No me neither- if I’m in a cafe alone, I want to be left alone!

OhTediosity · 15/10/2024 13:55

PassingStranger · 15/10/2024 13:50

You did right to highlight it.

People need help when they cant put the phone down and pay attention to their surroundings.
Same as rude zombies who nearly walk into you on the phone, or drive while on the phone.

Put it down.

But she hasn't highlighted it to anyone who can actually take action.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 15/10/2024 13:55

Lifeisarealchallenge · 15/10/2024 13:37

Yet another thread where OP is getting really unpleasant responses for no reason.

OP is allowed to be concerned for the child. She is allowed to be annoyed and frustrated by the adult supposedly supervising the child. And she is allowed to start a thread on MN about it.

I must say I would also be concerned and annoyed but I would also not be happy about going over and saying anything to the adult because I can predict what the reaction would be. And I really don't like having rows with strangers when I'm out trying to enjoy a bit of relaxation and a coffee.

Yes it’s been weird here recently.

Logs of very odd responses to threads that usually go the other way - almost as if people just want to have a go at someone!

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 15/10/2024 13:53

JaneJeffer · 15/10/2024 12:48

I love it when toddlers wander up for a chat

I don't! I ignore them and if that doesn't work tell them to go back to mummy or daddy. I certainly wouldn't be happy about some kid playing with my phone

PassingStranger · 15/10/2024 13:50

You did right to highlight it.

People need help when they cant put the phone down and pay attention to their surroundings.
Same as rude zombies who nearly walk into you on the phone, or drive while on the phone.

Put it down.

Ellaelle · 15/10/2024 13:50

Might not be the mum might be an babysitter / nanny

ladygindiva · 15/10/2024 13:49

HappierTimesAhead · 15/10/2024 12:46

And you are on your phone here

I'm guessing she isn't in charge of a toddler so not the gotcha you think

ThatPhotoOfUs · 15/10/2024 13:48

Lifeisarealchallenge · 15/10/2024 13:37

Yet another thread where OP is getting really unpleasant responses for no reason.

OP is allowed to be concerned for the child. She is allowed to be annoyed and frustrated by the adult supposedly supervising the child. And she is allowed to start a thread on MN about it.

I must say I would also be concerned and annoyed but I would also not be happy about going over and saying anything to the adult because I can predict what the reaction would be. And I really don't like having rows with strangers when I'm out trying to enjoy a bit of relaxation and a coffee.

Of course she can start a thread to discuss it, but it's a bit pointless if something is bothering you enough to post about it m, but you don't seem to be posting for a solution, just to moan or more likely to get some attention here.

OP could have just ignored the child or asked the parent to keep her away from others tables due to hot drinks. Instead she's written it like she's addressing the mother in the cafe, like she was just wanted some attention on a thread which always makes me eye roll.

standardduck · 15/10/2024 13:48

That's annoying, but if you are worried about toddler getting hurt, please notify member of the staff or take them to their mother

KimberleyClark · 15/10/2024 13:47

WhatsInTheRug · 15/10/2024 13:01

Why shouldn't she be if she hasn't got kids to supervise?

Show quote history

Quite.

CheekySwan · 15/10/2024 13:45

Mention it to a member of staff, that there is toddles grabbing at peoples hot drinks on the tables and she is unsupervised and they can go say something.

Or personally, I would pick her up and take her back to her mum

AmiablePedant · 15/10/2024 13:40

Toddlerteaplease · 15/10/2024 13:11

Exactly! It is not my job to supervise a random toddler because mum isn't.

But as a decent human being it is, from a certain perspective, your job to look after the safety of very small and hapless humans if the people who should be looking out for their safety are falling down on the job.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 15/10/2024 13:39

she only got moved when I told the waitress she was eating the candle wax of the candle they kept lighting and she kept blowing out and then she got angry and hit me

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 15/10/2024 13:37

nolifeleft · 15/10/2024 13:34

Why didn't you remove her?

If you didn't want her there - just remove her back to her parents.

Show quote history

Her parents weren’t there. She was meant to be in the flat upstairs whilst they were working in the kitchen. We tried to tell the waiting staff but they didn’t seem to be able to do anything.

Lifeisarealchallenge · 15/10/2024 13:37

Yet another thread where OP is getting really unpleasant responses for no reason.

OP is allowed to be concerned for the child. She is allowed to be annoyed and frustrated by the adult supposedly supervising the child. And she is allowed to start a thread on MN about it.

I must say I would also be concerned and annoyed but I would also not be happy about going over and saying anything to the adult because I can predict what the reaction would be. And I really don't like having rows with strangers when I'm out trying to enjoy a bit of relaxation and a coffee.

NoTouch · 15/10/2024 13:36

What did the staff say when you told then the toddler was in danger of being scalded on their premises?

WhatsInTheRug · 15/10/2024 13:36

Is everyone on the table the toddler has approached expected to move away hot drinks, gather everything out of reach?

WhatsInTheRug · 15/10/2024 13:35

Whose fault will it be if toddler pulls a hot drink on himself?

Not so cute then is it?

nolifeleft · 15/10/2024 13:34

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 15/10/2024 13:32

We went camping last year in a well known seaside town in Norfolk. We went for dinner at a little Italian. Owners daughter decided to join us and no one removed her. They all thought it was cute. She hit me and DH and was rude to DD. It’s the most bizarre meal I’ve ever had. She was about 6 though not a toddler. Apparently she does it all the time.

Why didn't you remove her?

If you didn't want her there - just remove her back to her parents.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 15/10/2024 13:32

We went camping last year in a well known seaside town in Norfolk. We went for dinner at a little Italian. Owners daughter decided to join us and no one removed her. They all thought it was cute. She hit me and DH and was rude to DD. It’s the most bizarre meal I’ve ever had. She was about 6 though not a toddler. Apparently she does it all the time.

OhTediosity · 15/10/2024 13:32

Get up, gently take the child by the hand and guide her back to her mother. Pleasantly say, 'so many hot drinks around - I'd hate for her to get hurt'. She will get the message.

nolifeleft · 15/10/2024 13:31

Toddlerteaplease · 15/10/2024 12:45

She knows exactly what she's doing! She doesn't seem bothered! She's new watching her approach other tables.

So the mother is watching her. You said you don't mind toddlers wandering up when supervised but according to you she is being supervised?

I don't mind toddlers wandering up for a chat either.

MikeRafone · 15/10/2024 13:31

Perhaps ask the child if they have lost their mummy?

dotdotdotdash · 15/10/2024 13:29

SaltySallyAnne · 15/10/2024 12:45

What did you hope to achieve from this post?

Very odd indeed

And indeed... what did you hope to achieve from yours? Most odd 🤔