To think that if you can't remember to take your 8 year old home from the pub then you can't be trusted to run the country?

[PrettyPrinceofParties]

www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/jun/11/david-cameron-daughter-behind-pub?newsfeed=true

why would someone go with an 8 year old to the loo? in familiar (I assume) surroundings, where she is almost certainly known?

my dd1 is nearly 8. she is just begining to go to the loo independently if we are in a familiar place - she wants to go independently far more often than I let her. (dd1 has severe ASD before anyone thinks I am a hovering overprotective sort). I have my 5 year old dd2 telling me 'it's ok mummy, I can go as well, and we'll be ok'

seriously, you think an 8 year old NT child should always be accompanied to the loo?

dh and I have had our moments when out and about with the dds - and we are, most of the time, almost surgically attached to dd1 due to her disability. we are trying very hard to come up with ways to help her be independent (as she wants to be) but failing so far. and yet we have still had our moments of panic and 'where's dd1/dd2'. thankfully neither have been actually lost thus far, but I can easily see a time when they might be.

as other posters have said, it can be so easily done, especially once the children are at the 'I'll jsut go and find mummy/daddy and ask them about it' stage - dd2 is particularly adamant that she will be fine wandering about and 'finding' the other parent in eg B&Q or IKEA

northern - get over yourself and your stupid niggles at my comments

it was crazy for her to have been left like that

why is it ok for them to do that?

So belle you take all independence away from the child - how is that a good thing?

They have taken her to a familiar place where they are all known to everyone. What better location to give her something resembling a normal childhood

Errr Belle my dc have just started going to the loo by themselves.There was a thread not so long ago when those of us with kids 8 and above who took our kids to the loo were accused of being overprotective,you can't win in MN world.

I've just started letting go in pubs,parties etc ie let them go off with a lemonade to chat/play/run around with friends etc.Seriously is that not ok then?

Also traveling around the world is slightly different you've not had a glass or two,not relaxed etc.Also lets not forget I doubt it was just 5 of them there would have been several more in their entourage maybe more kids too.

As I've said my dc are never out of my mind and I've done it,many,many others have too.

God we even lost a 70 odd year old fil in Paris,it happens.

I was left in the pub at the grand old age of 30 after nipping to the loo. :(

Has anyone quoted yet ? Or said nazi.christ load of wankers in here.

^hides thread*

even if 8yr olds are testimg boundaries and want to go to the loo alone, why let them?

to be a coooool parent, showijg how independent your 8 yr old is?

if we all think like this, I'm worried

doesn't suprise me as he comes across as an uncaring twat anyway

An 8 year old should be more than capable of having a wee without having their hands held. I would be worried about an 8 year old (without special needs) who couldnt go to the toilet alone.

Belleflowers - I'm commenting on your posts - because they are absurd. That's how a discussion forum is supposed to work. It's not all universal agreement.

even more chance of sthing going wrong when youve had a glass or two sirzy? depends on the location etc

but you are all so cooool with your kids, letting them go off and be independent kids while you get some me time with your drinks

meanwhile your kids wander off to the loo, doesnt matter who sees them go, sees that you arent watching as it's so important for them to LEARN? and is is how we teach them independence?

oh please

Really? YABU.

Tony Blair probably put his pants on inside out one day. I disliked him intensely as PM but wouldn't really class such absent-mindedness as making him unfit to run the country.

Loads of people have done the 'I thought x was with you' thing, enough to make it fairly normal.

dont want your agreement northern, but give some logical responses if you can

dont just quote me and pull faces

yawn

I agree with the others that say this story is minor tittle tattle, has a happy ending and a "we've all done it" side to it - I would even suggest it is a positive story for DC as it shows his human side, reminds us all that is an ordinary family and he is an ordinary family man (having sunday pub lunch, dashing back to rescue daughter etc).

It happened two MONTHS ago, why has the story come out today and not say, last Monday or the Monday before? I imagine The Sun have sat on this story for 2 months and could have put it on their front page whenever they wanted to.

Whenever I see non story's in the press that are "old" news ie. didn't happen in the last 24 hours, I always wonder what else is happening that day /week that they may not want to be dominating the headlines.
Gordon Brown/George Osbourne at Leveson today perhaps - DC there on FRiday. I don't know but it is convenient timing.

I am disappointed to see the BBC and Guardian lead on this story rather than ignore it or put it on page 8 as it is an example of News International setting the news agenda and everyone dancing to their tune.

I actually forgot to collect DD2 from guides one night she was 11 only when I got phonecall I remembered but I've never left any of them when out with them.

Of course an 8 yo could go to the pub toilet alone. But an 8 yo with a high ransome value? He chose his job, it means his kids cant have 'normal' lives. Thats the price paid.
I still cant see why a headcount couldnt be done. I've managed the pub and counted them into the car. Thats normal behaviour. Because herding kids is like herding cats.

agree molly it's prob a distraction PR piece to replace sthing else of crucial importance

but she is the PM's daughter

remember?

Belle your posts are getting more and more stupid, do you really think that an 8 year old should be glued to their parents side 24/7??

if she is the PM's daughter in a public place...then maybe Sirzy

Agree Molly. What story is being hidden. I know DC plans to overturn the HoL recommendations regarding cuts for disabled people and push through the harshest ever seen despite opposition. But cant recall if that is today. Or maybe its the Leveson thing.

I appreciate it's 'easily done'.
Not for us though. Our kids could come to real harm in this scenario, we can't stop watching them and checking with each other that all is ok for a SECOND when we're out.

But then people don't really get that.

They need to learn independence but at 8 she should also be responsible enough to tell her parents where she was going.

'Belle your posts are getting more and more stupid, do you really think that an 8 year old should be glued to their parents side 24/7??'

actually sirzy, a lot of MN beleive just that. I recall many a thread where a poster was flamed to crispy toast for allowing an 8 yo to go anywhere alone.