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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:
hididdlyho · 17/08/2025 15:44

Did he at least apologise for blocking the path?

Arlanymor · 17/08/2025 15:43

WTDress · 17/08/2025 15:42

I’ve potty trained 2 myself I know how it works. But he could have even moved to the side of the path rather than smack bang in the middle of it.

I guess I am being U, though.

I imagine he was doing his best. I would have felt a bit of sympathy for the chap.

Original poster
WTDress · 17/08/2025 15:42

I’ve potty trained 2 myself I know how it works. But he could have even moved to the side of the path rather than smack bang in the middle of it.

I guess I am being U, though.

OP posts:
Elephantangel1991 · 17/08/2025 15:41

Sometimes kids hold till it they have to go right away. I wouldn't be bothered at all.

Arlanymor · 17/08/2025 15:38

WTDress · 17/08/2025 15:36

They could have walked 2 meters to a place less inconvenient

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.

BallerinaRadio · 17/08/2025 15:38

It was probably clear when he started and he thought would only take a minute. I couldn't get so riled up about it tbh

Arlanymor · 17/08/2025 15:36

Sounds like an emergency to me and if he was by himself he just reacted in the moment. I am sure if he had more warning he would have sought a more convenient and private space. Quite heartened to hear of a dad doing potty training too because based on other posts on MN there don't seem to be many!

Original poster
WTDress · 17/08/2025 15:36

They could have walked 2 meters to a place less inconvenient

OP posts:
WonderingWanda · 17/08/2025 15:35

That does sound a daft place to stop but I guess if the child needed to go he just wanted to get him on the potty before he has an accident. I doubt it was a well planned stop, more of an emergency.

Original poster
WTDress · 17/08/2025 15:33

Oh and to add, it is a busy place, lots of walkers, so it’s not like he would have not expected people to be passing.

OP posts: