Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU for wondering if I am too laid back as a parent

35 replies

Botheredd · 09/07/2026 10:48

I worry that I am too laid back as a parent. My children are well adjusted etc and doing extremely well at school etc. I think what triggered this is one of my 5 year olds friends is coming for tea and his mum sent me a long list of things like be careful as he runs out in the road etc, watch him in the garden. I don’t think I would ever do that, I do think about him a lot and miss him but I don’t particularly worry, I just hope he is having a good time?

OP posts:
Iloveeverycat · 09/07/2026 10:57

That is very odd. You said there was a long list what else was she worried about.

Seagulldancing · 09/07/2026 10:57

Some kids are bolters, my DBro was one and my DM wouldn't let him go on playdates as she was too embarrassed to tell others he may do a runner. I think he was 7 or 8 before he stopped.

Be grateful and happy for your easy going DC.

WonderWeeksArentReal · 09/07/2026 10:55

All children are different - it's probably more about the child than the parenting approach. My youngest at 5 did not have an age-appropriate awareness of danger, so I would have had to flag things had I left him with another parent at that age as he wouldn't have behaved like their DC at all.

Original poster
Botheredd · 09/07/2026 10:54

Peonies12 · 09/07/2026 10:52

That's very weird when you have your own children. I'd actually find that pretty insulting, as that parent clearly doesn't trust you! I would never think to tell another parent how to look after my child.

Yes wasn’t sure how to take it but she did say please don’t think I’m being funny as I’m not. Her child is 6 and I find it worrying that he would run into the road.

OP posts:
Peonies12 · 09/07/2026 10:52

That's very weird when you have your own children. I'd actually find that pretty insulting, as that parent clearly doesn't trust you! I would never think to tell another parent how to look after my child.

Platypus7 · 09/07/2026 10:51

Maybe the other boy is neuro diverse, or the mum just knows what his behaviours are like so is giving you a heads up?

NoHotGirlsInHell · 09/07/2026 10:51

It sounds like she’s the one who struggles as a parent if she can’t stop her child running into the road at 5 years old?!

Nousernameideaaga · 09/07/2026 10:51

I sound like the parent of the child who is coming to tea.

i would gladly swap my anxiety approach for your chilled one.

seventeenofsumday · 09/07/2026 10:50

I'm a laid back parent and probably too soft too but honestly I'm happy my child is happy he's well behaved and does well in school etc so stuff it, don't judge yourself we get enough judgment from other people as it is :)

CalmTheFuckDownMargaret · 09/07/2026 10:49

I think this is probably very happy parenting as long as your kids are safe!

Swipe left for the next trending thread