My ex recently left our 8-year-old son outside a motorway services with the dog while they went inside to get something from a café.
He was sitting on a bench and the dog was tethered to it. It was a quiet Sunday morning and they say there were very few people around. However, the café is at the back of the services, so I would say he was out of sight for at least 5 minutes.
Nothing happened, but it’s been playing on my mind. I wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving him like that, even if it was quiet.
For context, we have 50/50 custody and co-parent really well 99% of the time. They’re a good parent and I do trust their judgement, which is partly why I wasn’t even sure whether to question it — but this just didn’t sit right with me.
We do encourage independence — for example he’s allowed to play across the road at a park visible from their house, which I’m fine with.
They think it was completely reasonable and said I was being over the top for even raising it as an issue. When I did bring it up, they said they wouldn’t do it again, but it was said in a blunt, slightly sarcastic way which has left me feeling a bit unsure.
I don’t think I am, but I’d genuinely like a sense check.
AIBU to think this wasn’t appropriate, or am I being unreasonable?