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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think normal mothers wouldn't do this?

244 replies

pinkyp · 15/04/2012 00:42

Was at a party at a play centre today with my ds - other kids were also there that wernt at the party. I found a seat, a mum I know sat next to me, there was a woman with a tiny baby sat at the opposite side to us. The woman started talking to the mum and next min got up walking off leaving the baby. The mum turned to me and said the woman had nipped out for a cig and asked her to watch her 3 week old, she didn't know her. Ten mins later the woman came back then went away for 5 more mins for a drink. Me and the other mum moved when the party had lunch and 2 times when we looked over the baby had been left on her own. The last time we saw her other boy (5) was watching the baby whilst she was having a fag.

Now I'm no perfect mum but to leave a 3 week old baby with a stranger then alone twice and again with a 5 year old watching for a cig is a bit...well shit really?

Baby was in a car seat so could of been taken with the mum, not ideal when smoking but surely better than risk being taken. Or maybe the mum could of not had 4 fags in the space of 1&1/2hrs perhaps just one? You could see the mums back through the window from where we were sat inside so not even looking.

OP posts:
seeker · 15/04/2012 18:24

I am not going to waste a moment's worry on something which has never, in the history of humanity actually happened!

kittyandthefontanelles · 15/04/2012 18:26

Well now I know that you ARE joking, seeker! Of course it's happened.

everlong · 15/04/2012 18:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

daytoday · 15/04/2012 18:55

Would you leave your purse, full of cash, with a total stranger at a soft play area?

I suspect the answer is no.

Which is more precious. Hmn? New born baby - or - money/purse? Hmmn?

No its not responsible but I've seen it.

daytoday · 15/04/2012 18:57

Also, this has got nothing to do with trusting your 6 year old. Its about being the responsible parent.

Its not about choking babies - etc.

I would have taken my kids out with me, if I needed a fag. Not that I smoke.

Just very lazy parenting.

doihavetonamechange · 15/04/2012 19:02

Ive lef tmy MB at softplay with another mum, when other DC disappeared.

I expect I grabbed my purse, fact is baby snatching is almost unheard of, petty theft is not.

I cannot see a mum, with other DCs in softplay, gathering her children and belongings, quickly grabbing the NB in their car seat, and making a run for the exit somehow, I mean I know pigs can fly in aeroplanes and all that, but the chances of that happening are slim to none.

doihavetonamechange · 15/04/2012 19:02

And a 6 year old is quite capable of screaming blue murder as well, if that highly unlikely scenario came to pass.

everlong · 15/04/2012 19:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

seeker · 15/04/2012 19:13

"Well now I know that you ARE joking, seeker! Of course it's happened."

There's been a case when a mother says to another mother "Please could you keep an eye on my baby while I go to the loo?" and the other mother has abducted the baby?

joanna2012 · 15/04/2012 19:16

when i was in hospital after having my baby a woman used to do this, disappear for hours on end leaving the baby hungry and skwalking - vaguely remember SS being involved but it was a long while ago

doihavetonamechange · 15/04/2012 19:19

because I dont deem it a risk. I dont believe it could/would happen.

everlong · 15/04/2012 19:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

doihavetonamechange · 15/04/2012 19:23

Well it didnt worry me, I was sure the lady who watched my NB, had children with her, it takes for ever to get 2 children out of softplay, never mind 2 children and a NB,

everlong · 15/04/2012 19:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

kittyandthefontanelles · 15/04/2012 19:29

Perhaps baby snatching is practically unheard of because most people take precautions? Many communicable diseases are practically unheard if these days because people take precautions! Don't offer your baby up to opportunists.

doihavetonamechange · 15/04/2012 19:32

yes the lasy with 2 DCs you are chatting to in soft play is actually a mad child stealer, with exceptional parenting skills, who can swipe her 2 children and yours out of a softlay centre, into the car park and into their car and car seats in a nano second.

doihavetonamechange · 15/04/2012 19:33

*lady with 2 DCs

seeker · 15/04/2012 19:37

"Perhaps baby snatching is practically unheard of because most people take precautions? Many communicable diseases are practically unheard if these days because people take precautions! Don't offer your baby up to opportunists."

Your world is such a scary place - it must be so very tiring living in it. Honestly, it isn't really like that.

everlong · 15/04/2012 19:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

kittyandthefontanelles · 15/04/2012 19:43

Seeker-Oh that yawny old line again! Nope. I love my world and love living in it. I wouldn't live in yours for a minute thanks. I am NOT wrong for not leaving complete strangers in charge of my baby. There is absolutely no need for it at all in my mind.

bejeezus · 15/04/2012 19:56

I've just had a thought; if the lady had gone outside for a cigarette, then no one could have snatched her baby, as they would have had to pass her as they left the building

Reallyusefulengine · 15/04/2012 20:06

OP, did it occur to you to ask the mum if she was okay? That might have been a better use of your time rather than critically observing her behaviour. Who was watching your children whilst you sat their timing her absences?

Give the poor woman a break, literally.

everlong · 15/04/2012 20:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AberdeenAgnes · 15/04/2012 20:10

"My mouse is only 5 months and has never been out of my sight. I work my day around that."

Eh?

kittyandthefontanelles · 15/04/2012 20:17

What don't you understand, Aberdeen? I'll be happy to explain.

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