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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

AIBU to go to the pub 30 metres away with a video monitor.

344 replies

HoveDad · 25/04/2013 12:04

I live in a terrace of houses and ten doors down is a really nice pub that does great food. Would it be horribly irresponsible to leave the kids (8,4 and 2) home alone with a video (+audio) monitor watching the doors to the bedrooms, toilet and hallway? One of us could be home within one minute of seeing / hearing a child but in the mean time we could be sat having a couple of pints and a tasty meal with friends with a laptop/ipad on the table showing what's going on in the house.
I suspect this isn't ok and haven't suggested it to my wife yet but wanted to canvas opinions. You could get the kit to do this for ~ £100 which is what 4 baby sits would cost.

OP posts:
Original poster
HoveDad · 25/04/2013 12:43

Easy on the personal attacks here people - I'm a highly committed father of three and I spend a huge amount of time, energy, love (and money) on my kids.
I do a lot of reciprocal babysitting with other parents on our road, I just don't see how this is so different from an audio only baby monitor in the garden or a large house with brick walls/thick floors (I live in a tiny house with walls and floors like paper).

OP posts:
YoniMontana · 25/04/2013 12:43

Really? It's an idiotic and selfish idea. I hope this is a wind up for your children's sake.

HesterShaw · 25/04/2013 12:45

OK, fine. But accept that PEOPLE WILL THINK IT'S A BAD IDEA.

You can't just go to the pub and leave your young kids alone, even if you do have technology. You just can't!

SlimFitWellies · 25/04/2013 12:45

You said it would take you 90 seconds to dash i.e. run. That is a LONG way away.

Seriously, I have to (for the sake of my faith in humans) believe this is a wind up.

Enigmosaurus · 25/04/2013 12:46

Highly committed parents don't bugger off to the pub for a few pints, video monitor or not.

Stupid, selfish idea.

Original poster
HoveDad · 25/04/2013 12:47

Ok mumsnet, you have served your purpose. It's a shit idea.

OP posts:
Pootles2010 · 25/04/2013 12:48

Because in the garden/house it's relatively quiet, you won't hear a child crying on a monitor over the general noise of the pub.

Also as others have said, you'll be so busy fretting you won't enjoy yourselves.

AllThatGlistens · 25/04/2013 12:48

Oh dear god the sheer idiocy of some people.

Speechless that anyone would be dim enough to even consider that a good idea Hmm

AvonCallingBarksdale · 25/04/2013 12:48

Yes, OP, it is a shit idea.
HTH

spiderlight · 25/04/2013 12:49

Ninety seconds?? Hell, NINE seconds is the difference between 'Don't do that, it's sharp/hot/dangerous/wired to the mains' and an ambulance ride. Seeing a child do something stupid is very different from being on hand to prevent them from doing it. And all that aside, how scary would it be for a small child to wake up from a bad dream and find that you'd both gone out? Great way to set yourself up for all sorts of sleep problems!

OrlaKiely · 25/04/2013 12:51

If they are asleep it's even stupider frankly.

Tee2072 · 25/04/2013 12:51

First of all, it's not illegal.

Second if all, it's a bad idea. Not because of fire or kidnapping but because you are relying on tech to protect your children.
Tech that isn't 100% reliable.

kneedeepindaisies · 25/04/2013 12:52

I'm torn between thinking this a wind up and this is a genuine question.

If it is genuine then yes it's a shit idea.

Actually I don't think it's genuine at all.

OrlaKiely · 25/04/2013 12:52

an audio baby monitor is for one baby. NOT three sizeable and mobile children.

OrlaKiely · 25/04/2013 12:53

and if it's in your garden, the kids know where you are and can find you if they have a problem. If you're halfway down the street, they can't. Are you beginning to understand?

MortifiedAdams · 25/04/2013 12:53

So, OP, while your kids are 'safely' asleep at home under cctv, you and your DW are elsewhere at risk of being knocked over, in a pub fire, in all manner of situations that could possibly leave your children not only unattended but orphans.

Nice.

Forgetfulmog · 25/04/2013 12:53

Maddie McCann

LittleBearPad · 25/04/2013 12:54

FFS. It is a stupid idea, you know it's a stupid idea and your wife would tell you it's a stupid idea.

Tell her and let us know what she says.

ouryve · 25/04/2013 12:54

Are you bloody serious?

No. Just no. Y. A. B. V. U.

LittleBearPad · 25/04/2013 12:55

You could take the children with you and leave them outside with a packet of crisps and a panda pop.

Oh, I just realised. It isn't the 70s anymore.

MissSusan · 25/04/2013 12:55

I thought this was a joke.
What don't you all go to a naice family pub with a beer garden and have a few shandys instead of beers.

Original poster
HoveDad · 25/04/2013 12:57

MortifiedAdams - "you and your DW are elsewhere at risk of being knocked over, in a pub fire, in all manner of situations that could possibly leave your children not only unattended but orphans."
Are you sure you're not being a shade hysterical there? Are pub fires a regular occurence where you are? It's not a tradition that's made it down south.

OP posts:
MansView · 25/04/2013 12:58

crazy idea - and if you do it then it could be a slippery slope imo...

I really hope this is a joke thread :(

nubbins · 25/04/2013 12:58

I don't think this is a wind up.

I live opposite a quiet pub that does excellent food. You can see into my kids room from it if i leave their curtains open. My eldest is 12, also have a 3yr old and a 5yr old. All my kids are well behaved and sleep well, I have on occasion left one of my younger ones for half an hour with my eldest if they are sleeping or ill to pop out for milk/do the school run etc.

BUT I would never do it to go to the pub. Dh has suggested it. But I can just imagine the headlines if anything did happen. The front of the pub is actually closer than the end of my garden too.

AlnwickRose · 25/04/2013 12:59

Some hotels do this don't they? You leave the child in your room and go to the bar/restaurant with a monitor.

Practically it would probably be fine. I think it's the symbolism of 'sodding off to the pub' that people are reacting to, rather than a real assessment of the risks.