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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Should i let my children be looked after this person?

156 replies

YourDenimTraybake · 05/02/2026 11:12

This is a delicate matter…
just wanted to hear peoples views.

A distant family member has gotten themself into a tricky situation where they can’t be around kids at the moment.

They are currently staying at a family members house until this is sorted out. We haven’t been for a while because they are staying there and we have children. But we do visit often under normal circumstances.

My kids are supposed to going in a few weeks for the day. Under normal circumstances i would be happy for them to go. However i have been told the person in question won’t be there, they will be a work.

Do you think it’s ok for my kids to still go. I’ve been told that they won’t be there at all whilst my kids are there.

I am a little worried, but only because I don’t wanna get into trouble doing the wrong thing.

Sorry if I’ve been vague. 🤦🏼‍♀️ don’t really know how to approach the situation.

OP posts:
Middlechild3 · 05/02/2026 12:30

Fitzcarraldo353 · 05/02/2026 11:13

If you have to take to MN to ask then the answer is no. You're not comfortable so don't do it.

This

BinNightTonight · 05/02/2026 12:29

Absolutely not, no, and I think you know that deep down, hence posting!

Jessie4343 · 05/02/2026 12:29

It’ll be another man who downplays their crime… ‘I didn’t know she was a month under 16’, ‘I accidentally downloaded a virus which put child abuse images on the computer’
why these families fall for this shut over and over again.
of course OP if someone is not supposed to be around children then you don’t let them be anywhere near your children. What a no brainer!!

RealEagle · 05/02/2026 12:27

I would steer clear of the lot of them,even the relatives who’s house he’s at.Sounds like the brush it under the carpet brigade .Disgusting.

cocog · 05/02/2026 12:27

No I would ask people you usually visit to come to you in this instance until the order is dropped or there home is not this person’s residence. if something is bought up then you and they have done everything in your power to protect the kids and also person who’s not allowed around them as a breach of this order could lead to further repercussions possibly land them in prison.

tirednessbecomesme · 05/02/2026 12:24

No I wouldn’t feel comfortable

I’ve seen many a time in situations such as this that the people this family member are staying with are clearly sympathetic to this person and believe they are innocent or that what they have done is not serious and therefore don’t follow the rules of the situation and will allow them around your children without your knowledge

Boomer55 · 05/02/2026 12:23

Well, I understand that the person accused hasn’t (from the post) been tried or convicted of anything. It’s not even clear what’s happened.

But, until that time, I’d keep my children away from him.

Tillow4ever · 05/02/2026 12:23

The fact that your ONLY worry (and even then just a LITTLE worry) is that you don’t want to get into trouble for doing the wrong thing is ringing massive alarm bells to me. You don’t even mention any worry about your children’s wellbeing. What kind of parent even considers sending their kids to a house where they KNOW there is an adult living there who is not allowed to be around children (so therefore there is likely paedophilia or serious abuse on this persons part) and it doesn’t even occur to them to be worried about their kids safety?

Why do your kids need to go there anyway? You shouldn’t need this spelling out, but you clearly do from your OP - you need to tell this person that under NO circumstances will your children be visiting that person or their home for at LEAST the length of time this other person is living there. To be honest, I’d not want to be involved with them ever again if they’re so happy to house someone that’s a danger to children.

This sounds incredibly like a post I read in the last couple of weeks. Equally as vague but the poster had their daughters boyfriend living with her because he wasn’t allowed to be around her daughters child (I can’t remember if he was the father) but he wasn’t paying anything, was telling the poster to “shush” in her own home and I think she had another daughter who was being made to feel uncomfortable in her own home by him.

ShetlandishMum · 05/02/2026 12:22

MidnightPatrol · 05/02/2026 11:19

“A distant family member has gotten themself into a tricky situation where they can’t be around kids at the moment.“

What does this mean?

It would be a no for me to let my kids out of my sight in that house. Whatever it means.

rockingroller · 05/02/2026 12:22

No, but I would make it possible for youR DC to see the relatives concerned at your home or at a neutral place when you are there, if the DC are missing them.

Caddycat · 05/02/2026 12:21

Of course you shouldn't.

Your post sounds like you don't believe the accusations against that person or are minimising them. There is nothing that would result in not being allowed around children that I would qualify as "a tricky situation". Your concern doesn't seem for your children but getting yourself in trouble for doing the wrong thing.

PS5Gamer · 05/02/2026 12:20

NO!

OnlyCosy · 05/02/2026 12:20

I'm actually disgusted and disturbed that you're even asking?

ViciousCurrentBun · 05/02/2026 12:19

Do not take your children, they feel sorry enough for this person to allow them to live with them. I would deem them not trustworthy, plus an apologist for child sex abusers? I would want nothing to do with them either. Met too many people through voluntary work I did that’s lives were blighted from being abused as children.

I don’t have small children now but would not have cared if I offended someone by refusing to visit in those circumstances.

mynamesaretaken · 05/02/2026 12:16

Absolutely no! Not even a question.

trappedCatAsleepOnMe · 05/02/2026 12:14

No - as it's too easy for the family member who should not be round kids to be around - home early etc especially if the allegiations are seen as false.

I'd get the other family member to come to you or meet kids somewhere neutral.

JoyeuxNarwhal · 05/02/2026 12:10

No.

Mangelwurzelfortea · 05/02/2026 12:09

Absolutely not.

Busybeemumm · 05/02/2026 12:09

If you have to ask then the answer is no. They could turn up 'having finished work early' or happened to be sick that day. Don't take the chance.

waterrat · 05/02/2026 12:06

Hi Op

Have you got all the information on the restrictions on this person? ie. what sort of order is in place regarding them being around children?

I think you need to establish the facts - I would not risk it personally not because of the risk to my children but I would be concerned that any of the people involved were ignoring police/ court orders.

BMW6 · 05/02/2026 12:05

How do you think it might look to Social Services OP?

Dollymylove · 05/02/2026 12:04

No
No
A thousand times No

SalmonOnFinnCrisp · 05/02/2026 11:59

user1492757084 · 05/02/2026 11:55

No, unless they come to your place.

I am not even sure I'd go for this.
They cannot be trusted as they have poor judgement

And good judgement seems to be in short supply all round.

On that basis I wouldnt be surprised if her mum/ dad /whoever might think its a good idea to bring the sex offender along to get fresh air or some other shite ... but he wont come in the house... except its raining so he cant go for that hike so it would be kind to let him come in... blah blah...

I honeslty think just no unsupervised contact until resolved.

Abd80 · 05/02/2026 11:59

No

Allisnotlost1 · 05/02/2026 11:58

Bringing children to the home of a person who can’t be around children (even if they’re not in) is likely to be viewed badly by law enforcement or whatever supervisory body is restricting contact.

There’s obviously a reason you are happy to have the homeowners around your children so assume they are the parents of the person who can’t be around children. Perhaps also your parents, or DP’s. If you want to continue to spend time with them (and why wouldn’t you, since they’re innocent) then have them at your home.