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AIBU?

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To have told a woman to take her shivering child home to bed in Primark

742 replies

BigRedBall · 05/11/2014 17:55

I went out today to get a few bits and bobs and ended up in a Primark. Got to the lifts and saw a woman waiting with a pushchair and on it was hanging a school bag. Looked to her side and she had a school aged child with her who was visibly ill, shivering, moaning. I assumed she'd picked him up from school and was dropping by on way home, but then realised school bag was from a school other side of town.

We went up together and the boy was whimpering now and looked really bad. The mother didn't seem to notice/care.

So I was walking around and the tanoy went off asking for a store cleaner to go to "area bla bla bla" for a clean up. Didn't really take any notice until I walked to the other side of the shop and the same woman was standing there with a now crying baby in pushchair and crying/ shivering child who had been sick all over the shop floor. There were splatters of pink sick on clothes, the mirrors, it was disgusting and she was stood there on the phone to someone and was telling the boy off.

I don't know about anyone else, but when my children get ill and shiver like that with fever, the last thing I'd do is traipse them across town. I'd give them a hug and put them in bed and hold their head if they were being sick. Goodness knows vomiting is draining even for an adult.

I felt so angry for the poor boy. So I walked up to her and said "instead of bringing him to the shops from school, you should've taken him home to bed. I'd take him straight home and give the poor thing a hug".

I think she was more shocked than anything.

DH thinks I wbu and is shocked I'd say that to someone. I don't think I am. Also, I now feel sick and think I have his germs.

OP posts:
AgentDiNozzo · 05/11/2014 21:51

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pissinmy2shoes · 05/11/2014 21:51

ywbu
who died and made you god
what an appalling thing to say to someone
you did not and do not know the circs

MrsDeVere · 05/11/2014 21:52

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LynetteScavo · 05/11/2014 21:52

That's a bonkers way to speak to a stranger..... Yes it sounds like the boy should gave been in bed, but you could have spoken more gently.

MrsDeVere · 05/11/2014 21:53

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HaroldLloyd · 05/11/2014 21:53

Just a little pink barf Grin

Ir1na · 05/11/2014 21:54

Mrs DeVere Haven't got a clue, I assumed that was normal-ish. If I actually told someone off instead of offering politely I wouldn't be surprised if I was the one who ended up at the GP - for my painful nose! Smile

motherofmonster · 05/11/2014 21:55

Tea done...and ive even broken out the good biscuits...god ive missed mumsnet Grin

HaroldLloyd · 05/11/2014 21:55

Probably just "are you ok" is your best bet.

AgentDiNozzo · 05/11/2014 21:56

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HaroldLloyd · 05/11/2014 21:56

Come on then monster where are you on the important issue of the pink barf.

a broken britian
B keep your beak out

motherofmonster · 05/11/2014 22:01

I have been in a barf moment when i have shouted at my little monster...coke float and bouncy castle after being repeatedly told you need to calm down or else you will chunder...well not so much shouted but a definite oh for fuck sake what did i tell you moment....it can happen to the best of usGrin

thedevilinside · 05/11/2014 22:03

A little pink barf could kill an immune compromised or elderly person, that's why the 48 hour rule is in place. If your child feels sick, keep them at home (and yes, I appreciate you don't always know, DD has a habit of surprising us with a sudden barf) but if they have been sent home from school, surely that is a big enough warning

DomiKatetrix · 05/11/2014 22:03

Barf doesn't anger me.
It was always leaky poo pants that got the better of me.

MrsDeVere · 05/11/2014 22:05

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FrauHelga · 05/11/2014 22:07

DD had CMPI. She barfed frequently. I'd never have been allowed out the door.

BlueBrightBlue · 05/11/2014 22:07

YANBU, more people should speak up even if it turns out they were in fact misguided.
I have seen tiny tot's without warm clothes, socks or a hat in the most freezing conditions.
I refuse to keep my beak out because I care and I don't like to see anyone suffer through ignorance or neglect.

BigRedBall · 05/11/2014 22:08

LynetteScavo how do you know I didn't speak gently? I wasn't shouting. I matter of factly told her what I thought.

Everyone can go on as much as they want that "maybe mother was having a bad day....she was stressed...it was one snapshot". The woman ignored her child in the lift. Not once did she console him. If I'd seen one bit of compassion I wouldn't have said anything. This woman was more bothered about her shopping and phone call.

I'm very happy with what I did. I'm glad there are normal people out there who'd speak up too. I'm sick of the tiptoeing around and the apologists letting people get away with terrible behaviour. The child was visibly ill. He should have been in bed. I hope he's feeling better now.

OP posts:
HaroldLloyd · 05/11/2014 22:08

People get caught out. How many times are children sent home from school for being sick? DS has been sick in nursery and seemed perfectly fine in the morning.

No point playing the blame game on people out and about saying they should have this should have that.

FrauHelga · 05/11/2014 22:09

You keep saying "the mother ignored her child"

You don't know it was her child.

pissinmy2shoes · 05/11/2014 22:10

the mother could have been...
ring doctor
work to say she couldn't come in
god

still none of your business

ThursdayLast · 05/11/2014 22:11

I hope the kid is feeling better too.
Still think you needed to mind your own business.

Mrsstarlord · 05/11/2014 22:11

BigRed - Perhaps Ive missed something but if you are happy with what you did, why post about it in AIBU?

AgentDiNozzo · 05/11/2014 22:11

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Aherdofmims · 05/11/2014 22:13

I think you were right. People shouldn't always keep their beak out. That is where a lot of trouble starts.