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

My guess would be that the story has come out now because the person who sold it has probably only just left their job at the pub

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.

Maybe he left a minute or 2 before the rest of the group.

So Belle when should they go to the loo themselves?

I'm kind of thinking giving my daydreamer responsibility now means in 3 or 4 years when he goes to secondary and travels on the bus alone he'll have learnt to be independent.You can't teach independence over night.It's like road safety.It's a drip,drip,drip thing.

At my dtwins age my dad was cycling miles alone to school,dp walked along a dual carriageway to school,I was traveling by bus on my own to school.

It's our job to teach them to fend for themselves,how do you do that if not by beginning to allow them to go to the loo in a pub on their own?

sirzy - i didnt say glue your 8 yr old to your side 24/7

if she goes to the loo in a busy public place, what happens if

• she goes in, someone follows, the door doesnt lock properly?
• she goes in, nothing happens, someone distracts her at sinks, leads her away?
• she goes in, nothing happens, she washes hands, she takes wrong turn?

not saying anything really of substance am I?

completely absurd, am I?

thanks! butI'd rather have peace of mind, and an extra trip to the loo with my DD than try to choose a busy pub with drunk people in it, to teach her how to be independent

I loathe Cameron, the Tories and all that he and th stand for. But I think having a go at them about this is just silly. Of course it could happen to anyone. Except supersmug, perfect mumsnetters, of course!

But if I was him, I would have serious concerns about the close protection officers, or whatever they are called.

yes rockpool - when he goes to secondary school

she is 8

the PM's daughter

in a pub

oh let's all be liberal parents shall we?

Also depends where in the country you live some areas I wouldn't of let my kids out alone at that age I'll not say how old they where for risk of being flamed but they are all grown now.

who's to say it wasnt a failed set up?

close proetction officers paid to 'accidentally' forget the DD?

a work of fiction or just me being absurd again

Very cheap shot by the Guardian to publish this on a day when a programme is being launched for troubled families. Trying to deflect a genuine news story with a dig at the Camerons.

Very poor journalism, that in my opinion, continues to highlight what nasty pieces of work journalists can be. They held this story for 2 months, so they could issue it at a time when it would be most damaging for Cameron. That is not in the national interest, or in the interest of anyone other than The Guardian trying to peddle its paper.

Well belle if they can't go to the toilet alone what exactly do you think they should be able to do alone?

It a small pub they know well and are known well at. I would say that's the perfect location to start giving some independence.

You don't have an 8 yr old do you Belle? I've told you 'logically' why the child went to the loo by herself. Because that's what 8 year old children should be able to do.
Some 8 year olds will be able to reliably cross a road safely. It's about the earliest age that a chid can be relied upon to remember how to do that. An 8 yeqar old who has effectively been an older sibling all life, with a younger brother and an older brother who naturally consumed much parental attention, is almost certain to be mature enough to take responsibility for herself.

post- but it was top story in the mail also, usually a tory rag, no?

In fairness to the Guardian this isn't their story - they've just picked it up from The Sun splash as have all the others

in a pub northern? 8yr old goes to loo alone, in a pub?

ok then

you would, I wouldnt

leave it at that - wont argue with you about it

I can't understand why everyone is ridiculing BelleFlowers. Do you really think it's safe for a child to wander off to the toilets alone in a busy pub? Have you all forgotten about the toilet monster?

Actually my dsis and I were left at Brownies one night after a lift mix up.We were left on the snowy hill freezing in those skimpy dresses as they locked up. We got over it.

My parents are some of the most overprotective parents on the planet too.Hmmmm forgot to mention that little story after my Sarlat flaming from ddad.

It can happen to us all,even the most sanctimonious.

Anyhooo got to take the dc to the library.

Primary school teachers out in groups do regular head counts. It works Everone is carrying thestory . Home and abroad. He is Prime Minister

Its possibly a story to cover the huge immigration story that's emerging though.

you ladies are sooooo cooool and liberal parents

imagine slagging another mum for wanting to check her 8 yr old is ok in a busy pub on a weekend

fabulous

You will let your child go to the loo alone when they go to secondary school?

That is nuts, sorry. Sheesh,, I never thought I'd be acused of being a liberal parent for allowing my son to take a piss unaccompanied

I'm not sure this is a 'story' worth getting our collective knickers in a twist over. (Sorry about the dangling preposition).

i had thought that too dotty - there's an announcement by Theresa May today

Urgh, should have known the revolting Mail would have been in on it too. Like I say - it is not "news" - otherwise it should have been when it happened. It is a "sensationalised" piece of gossip to sell papers and deflect from a genuine news story (which no doubt the Mail hates - god forbid that we acknowledge that there are families out there that need help).

It's right up at the top on the Torygraph site too.

Belle where you at the pub to know it was busy?

Seriously you haven't given one sensible reason why an 8 year old shouldn't be able to go to the toilet alone.