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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that if your small child vomits over another small child

30 replies

piprabbit · 21/02/2011 13:19

That a quick sorry is in order?

A mum was holding her young toddler today, when toddler turned and vomited over my 2yo. All down his coat and shoes. Luckily missed his face by a couple of inches.

I realise that she was probably concerned for her DC and probably embarrassed, but I would really have appreciated a quick 'Oh, I am sorry - is he OK?'.

OP posts:
PURPLESWAN · 21/02/2011 13:22

I think if my child did this whilst I would mean sorry I would probably be too busy whisking him out of the way, so that he couldnt chuck over everyone else, to actually say it! Im sure she is mortified.

saffy85 · 21/02/2011 13:24

Wellll........

It was hardly her fault or her child's that he/she puked on your child, or indeed at all so really a sorry would be pretty pointless wouldn't it?

Having said that, apologising for things which blatantly aren't your own fault is a really british thing so yes I would have apologised. Several times and been utterly mortified. Infact I did when my then 2 year old puked on the floor in the library. And I was told off by the very nice librarian who told me to stop apologising as it wasn't my fault. Can't win really can you?

JeremyVile · 21/02/2011 13:25

You'll live.

babyapplejack · 21/02/2011 13:30

I would definitely have apologised whilst dragging my child out of the place.

Whilst it wasn't the other mother's fault, it certainly is her responsibility. If my child had vomited all over someones shoes (I consider the rest of the clothing, including child easily washable), I would be terribly sorry and worried that the shoes might need replacing.

Sometimes, people take kids with D&V out with no consideration for others. My DD is currently puking her guts out because of one such person (know who it was). So if she's one of these, then it actually was her fault.

Your 2yo may be in for dose of a D&V bug now, unfortunately.

Longtalljosie · 21/02/2011 13:31

I would have been mortified and would have apologised until I was blue in the face. And possibly offered you a spare outfit, if I had one about me...

muriel76 · 21/02/2011 13:36

My son was sick near a table in a playcentre once - that was the first I knew that he was ill!

I was so embarrassed and ran him into the toilet to clean him up, before going to find the other people sitting nearby to say sorry and offer to pay for some more drinks for them.

I only got the sorry out - the other woman whose daughter had a little bit of sick on her top was so rude and nasty about it, you would have thought DS was 18 and had just rocked up and yakked everywhere after a heavy session in the pub and a dodgy kebab.

For some people, even sorry isn't enough!!

berri · 21/02/2011 13:39

Of course she should have said sorry!! Yes I see the point that it wasn't her fault, but just because things aren't your fault doesn't mean you shouldn't apologise!

StayingDavidTennantsGirl · 21/02/2011 13:40

I would definitely have apologised in those circumstances - it's not like it would take up a huge amount of time!

thumbwitch · 21/02/2011 13:42

God, I would have apologised if mine had done it! And been utterly niortified too of course, even though it wasn't exactly my fault.

thumbwitch · 21/02/2011 13:42

I have NO idea what niortified is - I meant mortified of course BlushConfused

StayingDavidTennantsGirl · 21/02/2011 13:44

I'm not sure what 'niortified' means either, thumbwitch - but it sounds uncomfortable at best! Perhaps the doctor would need to prescribe some sort of ointment? Grin

mumbar · 21/02/2011 13:47

niortified is a cross beween mortified and norovirus. - quite appropriate. Grin

OP YANBU, a quick oh sorry would have sufficed.

tisallabitofafaffisntit · 21/02/2011 13:51

Yes she should have apologised. Not because her child was sick - that can't be helped - but to acknowledge that you had the bad luck to be on the receiving end of it. It's just good manners.

thumbwitch · 21/02/2011 13:58

Grin at suggestions for niortified!

MadamDeathstare · 21/02/2011 14:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar · 21/02/2011 14:40

She was probably in a tizz and her priority was to remove her DC to prevent them barking all over anyone else. Of course she should've apologised, but I'd cut her some slack.

JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar · 21/02/2011 14:40

Barfing that is.

pigletmania · 21/02/2011 17:51

Yanbu even though it could not be helped and was an accident, still unpleasant and not nice for your ds and it's only good manners to apologise. If you accidentally spilt your drink over someone you would apologise right!

FabbyChic · 21/02/2011 17:55

Jeez I would have been mortified if that was my child, and would have been proferring apologies all over the place.

BendyBob · 21/02/2011 17:58

Of courseShock. Your poor ds. Ugh!

Original poster
piprabbit · 21/02/2011 17:59

Don't worry I didn't chase her down the street demanding retribution - just a little Hmm that she didn't even acknowledge, with a look, nod or word, my stunned DS.

She was able to leave immediately without offering to clean the floor, as it didn't get as far as landing on the floor... I had the pleasure of cleaning all her child's vomit up instead (directly off DS).

OP posts:
NinkyNonker · 21/02/2011 17:59

Absolutely YANBU.

pigletmania · 21/02/2011 19:00

I am shocked really to see the number of people that would not apologise on here, your child pukes over another child, its yucky, smelly and the mum has to go to extra work to clean up her ds, and you dont think you have to apologise for it Hmm. I would be mortified that I would be apologising all the time and offer to help clean up the mess.

pigletmania · 21/02/2011 19:02

Add to that the child might get the bug that your child has got.

UnquietDad · 21/02/2011 19:03

DS was sick in a pub once. He was in the high chair, aged about 2. Over our entire table, DD and our just-arrived food and drinks. It was, no exaggeration, just like those old ladies out of "Little Britain".

Couple with a tiny baby at next table were so lovely about it. They waved off our profuse apologies and kept passing us wipes. Didn't even want to move. Me, I'd have been out of there!