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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to wait on steps with my injured child outside flats?

141 replies

Mammababa4 · 07/08/2026 13:57

So this morning I was meeting a friend in central London with my 4 children for breakfast then to go to a museum. My children are 7, 5, 3 and newborn.
While walking from the station to the breakfast spot my 5 year old little girl fell over, she had a bloody knee and twisted her ankle, I called my friend to ask if she could come meet us with some plasters and help me carry DD back to the station as she wasn’t going to be able to walk around a museum, my friend said sure and she would be there in 10 minutes.
DD was really struggling to put weight on her ankle so I sat her down on the steps of an apartment building. It had double doors and DD is only small so she wasn’t taking up the whole steps.

First 2 people came out, I apologised they were fine and went off to stand at the side. Then another man came out, and I told DD to bring her hand in so he didn’t step on it, but before DD got a chance he stood on her hand, she’s fine but obviously it really hurt. The man immediately swore in French (maybe thinking I don’t speak any French), then told me to move her from the steps. One of the people who had come out before came over and apologised for his swearing and told him to leave it, he was clearly angry though.
I explained to them DD is injured im waiting for a friend and we won’t be long.
A few minutes later another 3 came down clearly part of the same group I was trying to make sure all the kids stayed away from the road while comforting DD. As they open the door I said oh watch we are here. Again they told me she shouldn’t be sat there, so I explained again. None the less the man from early came back over to tell me I was being selfish and inconsiderate but the rest of his group seemed to shuffle him along. Two of them came back and asked if they could help/apologised for the man’s behaviour but said they could help me move DD around the corner where there is a small park/garden with benches. I declined as I didn’t feel comfortable with a stranger carrying DD. The man who had a very strong accent then muttered something about it being inconsiderate for me to keep blocking the door when I’d be offered helped but they walked away.

WIBU?

OP posts:
Original poster
Mammababa4 · 07/08/2026 14:14

theneighboureatmysalad · 07/08/2026 14:11

It's irrelevant now, but have you got a buggy board?

newborn in the pram, one child on the board, 7 yo is more than old enough to hang onto you, and one hand for the 3 year old.

Or carrying newborn and asking someone to push the pram.

You are a mum of 4, you must be used to juggle them. Just the station is a pain in the neck with young kids.

I used to have a buggy board but it was broken, my 3 year old is a good walker so I haven’t replaced it yet and I wasn’t expecting to need to carry any of my children while I was alone.
Upon reflection I should have done better contingency planning but it was the first outing with all 4 children so I’m working on seeing what I need to do differently now.

OP posts:
AstonCanKissMyArse · 07/08/2026 14:13

WhyamIinahandcartandwherearewegoing · 07/08/2026 14:08

I’m sure you could have managed to sit anywhere rather than on someone’s doorstep. It’s inconsiderate, and clearly, as your child got stepped on, unsafe.

Like where? On the pavement would surely be worse.

If adults have difficulty negotiating the stairs they could use their words and ask the mum to move the child so they could get past.

This doesn't sound like what was happening. They sound like rude arseholes.

OP some people are just twats. Don't give them any more headspace. Hope you manage to enjoy your day.

theneighboureatmysalad · 07/08/2026 14:11

It's irrelevant now, but have you got a buggy board?

newborn in the pram, one child on the board, 7 yo is more than old enough to hang onto you, and one hand for the 3 year old.

Or carrying newborn and asking someone to push the pram.

You are a mum of 4, you must be used to juggle them. Just the station is a pain in the neck with young kids.

pizzaandchips2078 · 07/08/2026 14:11

If you didn't say london I would've wondered if this was my block. Yes she was blocking the stairs etc etc but she was a young child that was injured. Where is the compassion in this world ? Hope dd is ok ?

Jerrybalanitis · 07/08/2026 14:09

Were you planning to squat there long term? Were you targeting that building for some sort of protest? Were you spraying fascist statements onto the wall of the building? What the fuck is wrong with people? A little girl hurts her leg and sits with her mummy for a few minutes. The only reason to stop would be to offer help, sympathy or sweets (in a non weird way) I hope she is ok. Sorry people are so mean.

WhyamIinahandcartandwherearewegoing · 07/08/2026 14:08

I’m sure you could have managed to sit anywhere rather than on someone’s doorstep. It’s inconsiderate, and clearly, as your child got stepped on, unsafe.

purplecorkheart · 07/08/2026 14:08

He was being rude but I can see where he is coming from. I have an issue with steps and stairs so trying to go down while avoid your daughter would be a struggle for me and quite likely fall.

I would have moved her to the bench when you became aware of them. I would have asked one of the people who offered help to push the pram while you carried if you did not want them to do the carrying.

SooPanda · 07/08/2026 14:08

Ridiculous fuss for adults to make over avoiding an injured child for a few minutes. YANBU

theneighboureatmysalad · 07/08/2026 14:07

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 07/08/2026 14:03

Blocking a doorway is intrusive and rude.

I understand your DD was injured but she was obstructing people from moving freely.

bit harsh

to have a snack or make a phone call, yes it's very rude
A little kid with a bloody knee, it's annoying but it's not such a big deal.

FeliciaFancybottom · 07/08/2026 14:06

You shouldn't be blocking the exit of an apartment building; people want/need to get out.
You were in the wrong.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 07/08/2026 14:06

He was very rude but it was his home and it would have been sensible to move your DD somewhere else after the first incident with the angry man.

Original poster
Mammababa4 · 07/08/2026 14:04

Heronwatcher · 07/08/2026 14:00

He was being rude. That said, I probably would have tried to move to a bench at some point, but more for my/ my DD’s own comfort than his convenience.

I wasn’t initially aware there were benches around the corner, and even when I knew I didn’t want a stranger to carry DD, I’d have struggled to carry her myself while pushing the pram and keeping my other children safe/away from doors etc.
I don’t know if it was over protective of me to not accept their help though.

OP posts:
OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 07/08/2026 14:04

‘Oh watch we are here’ on the steps of someone else’s apartment block is quite rude. She should have been sitting to the side where she was not in the way at any point

theneighboureatmysalad · 07/08/2026 14:03

He was a twat. Not making any excuses at all, maybe he's fed up of his front door being blocked by tourists every time he goes in and out of the building, who knows.

I would have moved to the park if someone had offered help however.

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 07/08/2026 14:03

Blocking a doorway is intrusive and rude.

I understand your DD was injured but she was obstructing people from moving freely.

Heronwatcher · 07/08/2026 14:00

He was being rude. That said, I probably would have tried to move to a bench at some point, but more for my/ my DD’s own comfort than his convenience.