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AIBU?

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Original poster

Dad blocking path with toddler on the potty

85 replies

WTDress · 17/08/2025 15:32

I was in a local woods today, having a nice walk. It’s mostly paths but can be a bit narrow in places and overgrown.

Turned a corner and there, smack bang in the middle of the path was a child sat on a potty. With the dad hovering over with a baby wipe.

It wasn’t a massive inconvenience but we had to veer off the path into bushes to get past. There were plenty of clearings off the path the dad could have taken the child so 1, they were not in the bloody way, and 2 to provide a bit of privacy and dignity to the child.

AIBU or is this just utterly bizarre and entitled behaviour?

OP posts:
Arlanymor · 17/08/2025 16:08

comeandhaveteawithme · 17/08/2025 16:06

Just out of pure curiosity, why wouldn't you do it that way?

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I meant I wouldn't have done it the same way as the dad. But I'm not judging him for doing what he did in the moment, that's all.

comeandhaveteawithme · 17/08/2025 16:06

Arlanymor · 17/08/2025 16:03

I wouldn't have done it that way either. As I said, I think he did his best at the time. It might well not have occurred to him if he's not used to doing this part of parenting. Hence I think giving him a break is the right thing to do - no one's day was ruined. Not even remotely.

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Just out of pure curiosity, why wouldn't you do it that way?

WhatcakeshalIIbaketoday · 17/08/2025 16:06

Poor kid, good job he is too young to feel embarrassed.

MidnightPatrol · 17/08/2025 16:06

I think it’s most bizarre to consider this ‘entitled’ tbh.

Yes it would better if he’d been off the path, but given it was probably clear when he started and you know how ‘urgent’ these moments can be when potty training - cut him a bit of slack.

Literally zero inconvenience for you. Why is he ‘entitled’?

Halfandhalf2025 · 17/08/2025 16:04

comeandhaveteawithme · 17/08/2025 16:03

Why do people on mumsnet always think that because someone thought a thing that happened might be an interesting thread, that it must be occupying the OP's every thought, they must be very upset, or they must be absolutely furious?

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But that's not what's happening here is it? OP hasn't come on here for an interesting discussion. Shes come here in hopes people will slag the dad off with her.

LittlleMy · 17/08/2025 16:03

WTDress · 17/08/2025 15:54

Same. I’m glad someone gets me.

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YANBU I also agree with you. The fact that he’s not even apologising makes me think he is entitled. PP are making excuses saying it was probably an emergency but it takes seconds to steer child at least off the main path!

Arlanymor · 17/08/2025 16:03

comeandhaveteawithme · 17/08/2025 16:01

I would sit kid on potty and then lift and move kid and potty as one unit to the side of the path

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I wouldn't have done it that way either. As I said, I think he did his best at the time. It might well not have occurred to him if he's not used to doing this part of parenting. Hence I think giving him a break is the right thing to do - no one's day was ruined. Not even remotely.

comeandhaveteawithme · 17/08/2025 16:03

SwanRivers · 17/08/2025 15:58

Meh! 🤷‍♂️

It's bizarre that you're still even thinking about it to be honest.

Something mildly inconvenient happened.

The end.

Why do people on mumsnet always think that because someone thought a thing that happened might be an interesting thread, that it must be occupying the OP's every thought, they must be very upset, or they must be absolutely furious?

LizzieW1969 · 17/08/2025 16:03

I would have had some sympathy for him, as I remember what it was like to have a toddler say, ‘I need a wee wee’, and having to grab the potty urgently. But I agree that he could have placed the potty in a more appropriate place, it wouldn’t have taken any longer to do so.

I would definitely have considered that his lack of an apology pretty entitled, too.

Halfandhalf2025 · 17/08/2025 16:01

WTDress · 17/08/2025 15:32

I was in a local woods today, having a nice walk. It’s mostly paths but can be a bit narrow in places and overgrown.

Turned a corner and there, smack bang in the middle of the path was a child sat on a potty. With the dad hovering over with a baby wipe.

It wasn’t a massive inconvenience but we had to veer off the path into bushes to get past. There were plenty of clearings off the path the dad could have taken the child so 1, they were not in the bloody way, and 2 to provide a bit of privacy and dignity to the child.

AIBU or is this just utterly bizarre and entitled behaviour?

Yabu. Hardly entitled behaviour helping their child use the potty is it? Big whoop you had to steer off path slightly 🤦‍♀️

comeandhaveteawithme · 17/08/2025 16:01

Arlanymor · 17/08/2025 15:38

Sometimes kids can't though... they hold it in, they don't say what's happening until it has actually started. So parents have to react in the moment - alternative is to walk the two metres and by then their clothes are soiled and they aren't anywhere near their home. So kid has to squelch home and it can set back training further because the whole idea now has additional anxiety attached to it.

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I would sit kid on potty and then lift and move kid and potty as one unit to the side of the path

Iloveacurry · 17/08/2025 15:59

Of course you’re not being unreasonable! He could of easily set the potty up to one side.

Original poster
WTDress · 17/08/2025 15:58

SwanRivers · 17/08/2025 15:58

Meh! 🤷‍♂️

It's bizarre that you're still even thinking about it to be honest.

Something mildly inconvenient happened.

The end.

Isn’t that what AIBU is for?

OP posts:
SwanRivers · 17/08/2025 15:58

Meh! 🤷‍♂️

It's bizarre that you're still even thinking about it to be honest.

Something mildly inconvenient happened.

The end.

Overtheway · 17/08/2025 15:56

I would assume it was an emergency and not think any more about it. Congratulations if you had children who always gave you warning when they needed the toilet, one of mine regularly waited until the very last second and in the early weeks we sat him on the potty immediately so that he didn't have an accident (and kept outings to places like parks and woods for that reason).

Original poster
WTDress · 17/08/2025 15:56

Toottooot · 17/08/2025 15:55

Would you have started a post if it had been the child’s mother doing so?

Yes of course

OP posts:
Original poster
WTDress · 17/08/2025 15:56

sillysmiles · 17/08/2025 15:55

Did he bring an actual potty? I think carrying a plastic potty into the woods is more odd!

Yes

OP posts:
Toottooot · 17/08/2025 15:55

Would you have started a post if it had been the child’s mother doing so?

sillysmiles · 17/08/2025 15:55

Did he bring an actual potty? I think carrying a plastic potty into the woods is more odd!

Original poster
WTDress · 17/08/2025 15:54

doodleschnoodle · 17/08/2025 15:52

I think it’s a bit grotty honestly in the middle of a public path. It’s also doesn’t really respect his child’s privacy. Some people seem happy for their kids to be in full view while they’re having a shit, and I think it’s a bit icky really.

I have potty trained two kids and never had them sitting on a potty in full view of random people going around.

Edited

Same. I’m glad someone gets me.

OP posts:
doodleschnoodle · 17/08/2025 15:52

I think it’s a bit grotty honestly in the middle of a public path. It’s also doesn’t really respect his child’s privacy. Some people seem happy for their kids to be in full view while they’re having a shit, and I think it’s a bit icky really.

I have potty trained two kids and never had them sitting on a potty in full view of random people going around.

hididdlyho · 17/08/2025 15:51

WTDress · 17/08/2025 15:46

No!

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Sounds quite entitled then, if he had a momentary lapse of judgment through panic, but realised he'd been daft that would be one thing. If you were having a walk in the woods, I'm not sure why a potty would be necessary. Wouldn't you just go behind a tree and teach the kid in an emergency to be discreet and not just go in the middle of a path.

WonderingWanda · 17/08/2025 15:50

Crikey op, I reckon you got out of the wrong side of bed today.

Original poster
WTDress · 17/08/2025 15:46

hididdlyho · 17/08/2025 15:44

Did he at least apologise for blocking the path?

No!

OP posts:
Original poster
WTDress · 17/08/2025 15:46

Ok fair enough. I guess I’m just being grumpy. He wasn’t the only oblivious path blocker we came across today but just the most bizarre one.

OP posts: