AIBU?
stranger giving my child money
trackies · 15/05/2013 22:09
Was at a toddler group with my 3 yo. There was a professional photographer there taking pics as approved by lady who runs it. They sit on a seat infront of a white screen. My child had a turn. My child is very chatty and friendly and likes posing for photos, and he found him easy to deal with. Bit later on my child, who likes attention and chatting to people, chatted to him for few mins, whilst i was there. Photographer was saying how lovely he was and he'd made his day, and then he gave him a gift of £2 and told him to buy some sweets with it. This freaked me out. I was a bit stunned. I tried to politely say that we can't take his money (i didn't want it!) but he insisted on me taking it. As i was leaving i tried to prize the £2 away from my child but he was clinging onto it so i left cos i just wanted to get out there! Got home and explained to small child that should not take gifts from strangers, but it wasn't his fault. I should have done something at the time. I was just caught off guard. Told my DH who said this man should have not been giving money to my child, and agreed that it's weird, but it could have been just someone being nice. But he was not happy. I told couple of Mummy friends who said it was weird aswell. DH said i definitely need to talk to the women who runs the group just to say that it made me uncomfortable and give the money back. Do you think it's weird ? or an act of kindness ? what would you do ?
Fuckwittery · 15/05/2013 22:12
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chocolatebee · 15/05/2013 22:16
I was on the bus with DD1 (4) and DD2 (10days old) and a (30ish year old) women give them both 50p. I tried to say no but she got off the bus.
I was shocked and asked MIL about it and she said all old ladies used to give children silver as good luck.
I was very shocked but allowed both DD's to keep the 50p. this thread reminds me to buy DD2 a money box
Doubtfuldaphne · 15/05/2013 22:16
Was he quite an old guy? I think in their day it was quite normal to give some money to kids to get themselves some sweets. It happened quite a bit when I was growing up.
Now we are much more protective or on our guard about strangers and I think, rightly so. When things like this happen its easy to think back about it more and think about what you should've said or done but its done now.
You did the right thing saying it wasn't your child's fault but not to accept things from strangers.
Fuckwittery · 15/05/2013 22:16
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Message withdrawn at poster's request.
freddiefrog · 15/05/2013 22:17
I'd just think it was a nice thing to do
I remember taking DD1 to a tea shop when she was quite young and getting a barrage of tuts and eye rolls from a table of elderly ladies who, I assume, took one look and assumed she'd be a PITA. She behaved impeccably and one of the ladies came over, commented that DD was a lovely little girl and gave her £1 to buy some sweets
Wallison · 15/05/2013 22:20
Aw, sounds like he was just being nice. What possible harm could come to your child from a gift given to him by someone when you were with him and could hear everything that went on?
Or do you think there is a camera hidden in the £2 and the guy is using it to find out where you live and steal your child while your back is turned?
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