To let my son play in the fountain?

[CruCru]

On Thursday we were in Russell Square. My son was keen on the fountain (it is one that you can walk through, set into the ground) and it was hot so I stripped him down to his nappy and let him run through the fountain.

The mix of reactions was quite strange. Older people smiled but the younger office worker crowd looked a bit shocked and disapproving.

I was with him all the time and went in myself (wearing shorts). I had a towelling jumper to shove on him when he was done so he didn't get cold.

The reason for stripping him off (apart from him enjoying being naked) was that we were going to get a cab after and I didn't want him to make the taxi wet.

I love that fountain!me and my friend ran through it a while ago because it was sillt hot and we both had dresses on :D

YANBU. There's a lovely 'pavement fountain' in Duke Of York Square, Chelsea, which is meant to be for kids to have fun in.

Germs?

Some people just don't like children. Maybe they had turned up in the square, rightly or wrongly, expecting some peace and were cross at finding a child playing.

Though anyone that is looking for a bit of peace on a sunny lunchtime in zone 1 is off their heads anyway.

I'm not a massive fan of other people's kids and have a serious case of bitchy resting face at the best of times so it could just be something similar to that.

Mine jumped into the Princess of Wales fountain in Hyde park with all his clothes on the other day. Had a great time.

Here's another image of Duke Of York Square fountains with kids playing (from an online photo).

DSGD would absolutely love to do this.

You judged them on their expressions? If no one said anything negative, then perhaps you were mistaken. Try walking around the streets without your children, and see how many people have naturally grumpy faces.

Loads of kids play in that fountain and the new ones in Granary Square at King's Cross.
YANBU

I honestly thought that was what these fountains were for

Goblinchild makes a very good point.

I have natural bitchface. I'm not judging your kids. More than likely, I'm not thinking of anything!

I agree with Mexican!!!

But I have never played in one of these! Oh no!

We have one at the marina near us. We sit in the restaurant and the kids play in the fountain, watch the movie, play in the park and come in when they want for food and drink. The fountain has coloured lights and music at night.

Yanbu but the kings cross ones are 15 min away and much better! There's soft play stuff in them now too

Are you allowed to play in the Kingd Cross ones?

I doubt they were looking at you disapprovingly, I doubt very much they were even looking at you. Young people are just not that interested in children to form an opinion. Why did you think they were all looking at your son?

I think the water they use is probably chlorinated anyway, so I doubt too many germs survive.

If it had been the Diana Fountain in Bushy Park I would have said YWBcompletely U, as it's not safe - but these pavement fountains are surely made to be played in!

If you were talking about the out door pigeon latte ones full of broken glass or floating bottles in my home town if say yabu.

The other fountains look lovely and YA most definately NBU to have stripped him off for a play :)

Sod those who find half naked children offensive. They are just jealous they couldn't do the same thing in such a hot day.

I think you may have been looking for drama where there was none. I can't imagine the office workers walking through Russell Square cared at all, and I'm sure they weren't shocked on the least.

Maybe they were grumpy because they were hot and tired, but didn't have the time to whip off their business suits/tights and shoes and get in there with him.

Ya so nbu those fountains are made for playing in and running through.

I also suspect that the young office workers were just dead jealous that they couldn't strip down to their undies and join in!

Gordy always suspected you were a fellow brummie. my dds loved that too.

Oh and running through a fountain and splashing is bloody awesome.

They were probably worried about getting splashed op

Oh and thanks for tip on Granary Sq, just googled it, gonna take the dc there tomorrow, a change from the paddling pool at Coram fields again.