Would you leave your toddler here for a couple of minutes?

[DaffodilsHouse]

This might sound a silly question but I'm going to view a property later and have to take some measurements and need both my hands free. I've got my 18 month old dd with me in her pushchair. Should I leave her downstairs in the hallway with the agent for 2 minutes to go upstairs to a bedroom to measure something? The agent is a female whom I've met before, who says she's a mum. The alternative is I get her out and carry her up there but then she will want to run everywhere and touch everything...

I would. Strange bloke? Absolutely not.
Woman you’ve met previously. Sure.

Yep I would without a second thought

If the front door is closed and the child is in the pushchair I would

Yes

Yes and I wouldn’t even worry about it.

Years back we had to take our baby on various viewings. Mainly Victorian terraces with steep stairs She was generally left in her car seat by the front door, or in the living room if asleep.

My main concern would be them getting upset.

Yes, I would. I understand thinking about worst case scenario, I do it too, but I try to override these thoughts and think rationally. I think it would have to be such an obscure combination of events for anything bad to come of this and for any harm to come to your child. So I vote that it's ok 👍🏼

I would take my DD upstairs if it was me. The only person I trust with her is DH.

Wouldn't even cross my mind to not do this.

Admittedly DS is a hairy teen now so I've not had to think about this for some years, but truthfully what do you think is going to happen?

Even assuming the estate agent was male, I'm struggling to see the problem so long as DD is not fretting.

I would.

Just a few minutes? Yes I think I would but my youngest wailed like a banshee if I left her line of sight for 5 seconds until she was two so I couldn't have but if you think your DC would be ok with it then go for it as long as the agent is ok with it too.

In practicality, I'd probably pop her in the sling to do the measuring, but my DD of the same age is quite petite!

I wouldn't object to doing exactly as you've suggested - I'd arm her with a snack and toys though. Would she start fretting that you're out of sight/she's with someone she doesn't know? That would be my main reservation.

You'd think that if the agent is also a mum though, she'd entertain DD for a few mins with peepo/pat a cake or similar. I certainly have done previously while waiting around in a court etc.

I was always cautious of people when my kids were young but I think this would be fine.

If you’re not comfortable, could you and the agent carry her up in the pushchair and she can stay in it so you can measure?

Definitely yes, without a thought.

my first instinct was sling, but as you've not mentioned it i'm going to assume you don't have one to pull out of thin air
i think for the sake of 2 minutes, leaving DD in the pushchair is more than fine, you've met the agent before and i assume they're via an agency, so not some random woman!
alternatively, as an agent i'd be more than happy to give you a hand bringing the buggy upstairs or holding your DD to allow you to do the measuring with peace of mind! maybe frame it as, "i'm so sorry to ask but she might fret if she can't see me - would you mind terribly holding her for a minute?" and then they're both there with you.

Why on earth not? It's a couple of minutes. What do you think is going to happen?