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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to take a baby into London tomorrow

27 replies

ENSMUM · 28/04/2011 17:18

The plan would be to go to Hyde Park to watch it all on a big screen and possibly later to the Mall

My husband is very keen

I am uncertain

We would be taking our 5 month old DD on her 1st trip to London

Is this a really crazy plan?

OP posts:

Choufleur · 28/04/2011 17:19

Think your bonkers to even consider going - with or without baby. It will be hideously busy.

foxinsocks · 28/04/2011 17:19

why would you want to watch it on the big screen? can't see how that's any different to watching it at home

central london is HEAVING

I want to weep every time I am walking on the pavement at the moment

LDNmummy · 28/04/2011 17:21

Its bad enough with parents who bring their babies out on normal shopping weekends in central London. It will not just get on your own nerves but will get on everyone elses too.

Do not do it!

TethersEnd · 28/04/2011 17:21

Bear in mind the rain, which will come I am sure, despite the weather propaganda

I wouldn't and I live in London.

TethersEnd · 28/04/2011 17:22

*weather reports

MackerelOfFact · 28/04/2011 17:23

I live in London and am staying indoors. If that helps. [cwink]

Original poster

ENSMUM · 28/04/2011 20:44

Ah well, I guess if everyone is avoiding it because it'll be too busy there won't actually be that many people around then :)

OP posts:

stoatie · 28/04/2011 20:47

Can't see the point of going to watch on big screen, either join the crowds trying to catch a glimpse as they go past or watch from the comfort of your own home. Not that I will be doing either - not bothering with any of it

cookcleanerchaufferetc · 28/04/2011 20:48

Aren't about 150,000 people going to Hyde Park ........ You must be mad!!

A1980 · 28/04/2011 21:06

You'll hate it, so will the baby.

It isn't fair to the baby who would be far more comfortable at home than in a massive overcrowded park.

Stay home and watch it on TV.

[csmile]

squeakytoy · 28/04/2011 21:11

Bonkers. And Hyde Park in the rain is not fun. I was there for Party in the Park one year when the heavens opened, and it was like a swamp in minutes. Mass exodus to get out of there, and complete chaos.

Honeybee79 · 28/04/2011 21:15

Don't do it! It will be awful. Transport hell. Drunken crowds.

I'm not going to and I live in London.

MrsGrotBag · 28/04/2011 21:15

what if you need a wee ??

minxthemanx · 28/04/2011 21:17

Not nice for you or baby. I was up there today with DS1 following hospital visit - tried to get near the abbey for a peek and it was heaving. Difficult to move, hundreds of people everywhere, stopping every 2 seconds to take photos. I think your poor baby would find it pretty frightening, and i'd rather stick pins in my eyes than go up there tomorrow WITHOUT the kids!

compo · 28/04/2011 21:17

It's also freezing at the moment
let your baby stay in the warmth

BsshBossh · 28/04/2011 21:20

We live in London and usually go into central London every weekend and most Bank Holidays but tomorrow we are staying home! It'll be heaving, chaotic and likely to rain.

marriednotdead · 28/04/2011 21:22

Please listen to good advice already given and stay home.

I commute into the West End mainly during allegedly offpeak hours and it's still stressfully busy, even without tourists and fractious LO's.

I'm working tomorrow, no choice, and am dreading trying to get there through the gazillion extra people

Mahraih · 28/04/2011 21:25

Agree with BsshBossh - we too live in London, and are at the most going to join the picnicers in our local park. We won't risk central London. Traffic will be horrid, transport systems will go to heck.

I took DS to Covent Garden today and it is ALREADY rammed with traffic, tourists, drunk people etc. Don't do it - find something fun going on locally, or have mates around to yours to celebrate.

wasabipeanut · 28/04/2011 21:29

No way. Stay at home, snuggle, invite friends, partake in a street party or whatever.

I think you would need your head read if you even consider Hyde Park with a 5mo.

etyksm · 28/04/2011 21:29

I'm visiting my dad in London atm, and am actually heading out of London to watch it in a Friends house outside London!

Original poster

ENSMUM · 29/04/2011 16:07

We went. It was great. Fantastic atmosphere in the park and saw it all on the big screen. dd fascinated by all the people and flags.

OP posts:

JingleMum · 29/04/2011 17:12

i'm glad you went and had a great time, i too have been in a dilemma about taking my 19 month old to london (decided to go, but not today)

did you find it ok to get around with the pram?

compo · 29/04/2011 17:17

Glad you had fun but why dud you ask us when you wrew going anyway?!

Original poster

ENSMUM · 29/04/2011 18:01

JingleMum - getting around was absolutely fine - although we walked rather than braving the underground... think that experience needs to be reserved for a quiet (relatively for London at least!) time and finding routes that won't require the escalators, which scare me, although people do use prams on them I know.

When I asked I wasn't going anyway Compo, I was still undecided. DH managed to talk me into it and I am glad. Perhaps I'd hoped for knowledgable comments from people with experience of having taken babies to large events in London. I have to say some of the negative comments on here were a bit OTT so I didn't take much notice in the end to be honest. For example:

Baby will hate it - why? I may have done had I been stuck in a crowd unable to get somewhere, but she'd have been fine safely tucked away in her buggy

What if you need a wee? - Use a portaloo - there were plenty of those around!

Its freezing at the moment - really? Not in London! Ok it's not as roasting as last weekend (which could have been a reason to stay sheltered) but absolutely fine. It's hardly difficult to dress a baby appropriately for the weather.

OP posts:

SpotsMumSally · 29/04/2011 18:08

Smuggy mcsmuggness AIBU.

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