to have had this argument with a woman in Weatherspoons today?

[OnEdge]

I tok my 18 week and 18 month old into Weatherspoons this morning. The lift was out of order so I ended up leaving the baby in the buggy, unstrapping my son and taking him a level (4 steps) to the bar to order my coffee. I took my son because had I left him strapped in the buggy he would have started arching his back and becoming agitated. The buggy was only about 12 feet away from where I was standing at the bar. My boy was toddling about, within a few feet of me while I waited to be served. A lady bought a coffee and was walking past me to her table with it, I saw my son walk round a large pillar and could possibley walk into her path. I warned the lady and said "oooh ! careful" and pointed my son. She walked past him and said loudly "He shouldn't be walking about !"

So I followed her to her seat and asked her why my son should not walk about.

Her "Its not me that says it, its this place."

Me "But YOU said it, what do you expect me to do with him when I place my order ?"

Her "Can't you strap him in a buggy?"

Me "No I will not strap my child down for your convenience>"

Her "I didn't want to step on him"

Me "All you had to do was look where you were going, I warned you he was there."

and then it carried on for another 2 minutes.

So, was I BU ????

I'm gonna get slaughtered, but I am intrigued as to whether or not you think I was out of order.

Its a tricky one - she has no right to say your son should be strapped in the whole time but conversely she could have tripped over him and spilt scalding coffee over him which is probably what she was worried about. I am on the fence - sorry not helpful I know

I personally think YABU. Sorry

You should have held onto your child while you ordered. Picked him up, or held his hand.

Its not for you to say "watch out",and everyone walk around him, the child shouldnt be there in the first place.

Children can only be expected in family pubs, if she can't trust herself not to step on them she shouldn't be there.

YABU - your child should have been sitting down or stood right next to you, not wandering round where there are lots of hazzards

YABU. He's your child and your responsibility. You sound like a nutter for following her to her table and arguing about it.

Are Weatherspoons not still full of people who shouldn't even really be drinking getting spirits etc all day for knock down prices?
I just don't expect there are that many people in Weatherspoons you can reason with.

She did have a point though.

there weren't lots of hazards, only doddery old women, I was minding him. I just warned her he was there so she did not trip over him. Why not just look down and walk a little semi circle around him ?

If he had been an adult she would have had to walk around him.

Yabu

I think you escalated what was a small disagreement into something much bigger by following her to her table to continue the argument.

For what its worth i don't think your 18 month old should have been toddling about where hot drinks where being served. Sorry

I have to agree that your child was a hazzard, and should have been with you or sat already at a table where you could see him waiting for you.

YANBU. Fuck her. What a nasty woman, what was the big deal? Might have been better to flounce away rather than get involved though...

He wont come if I call him and he was happy stretching his legs not upsetting anyone else. I was watching and warned he was there. My son was an inconvenience to her.

YABU
you should have held on to him while you ordered. 'Watch out' is a bit accusatory as well, I try to avoid using language that implies the adult is in the wrong if I'm alerting someone to my DS's presense, as it's usually a case of him being under their feet, rather than the adult being careless.

Me ff I was you?, I would have just left it after saying "ooh careful".

Me If I was her? it would have got my back up right away if you had followed me to my seat. If your going to take your child out of a buggy for any reason then put a wrist strap or reins (do you still get them?) on him.

I once fell fell over a wee girl about 3yo when she ran in front of me

An 18 month old wont sit at a table and wait.

YABU.
It's a place that serves hot drinks & hot food.

Little ones need to be in a buggy or high chair out of danger.

More for themselves than anyone else.

How would have you felt if she'd spilt hot coffee on him?

YABU. I gree with Belieber (and Imarried)- He's your child and your responsibility. You sound like a nutter for following her to her table and arguing about it.

No YABU you should keep him under control. She shouldn't have to mind where she is going because you wouldn't strap him in.

YABU what you should have done with your 18 month old son while you placed your order was held him/held his hand/made sure he was standing right next to you.