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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Should I stay with this baby?

117 replies

BooChunky · 31/03/2015 14:24

I'm at a theme park... A family consisting of 2 adults, 2 children around 9/10 and a baby around 1 in a buggy have just pushed the baby towards a railing, left their child in it, and all gone off to queue for a ride that's at least 30 minutes queuing time and out of sight.

(I know this because my DD and her godfather are in the queue and I've already been waiting 30 minutes.)

I can't believe people would do this??

OP posts:
Mrscog · 31/03/2015 14:57

Just an idea - You could call 101 and see if the police could contact the security department of the theme park?

FromMeToYou · 31/03/2015 14:57

Phone the theme park and report it, that way you don't have to leave the baby on its own.

Mrscog · 31/03/2015 14:58

Ah yes, that's a better less hysterical option than mine fromMeToYou!

Plateofcrumbs · 31/03/2015 15:07

I would be so sorely tempted to move the buggy to give them a scare - not to be cruel but in the hope they might think twice before doing it again.

DaygloYellowLady · 31/03/2015 15:09

You need to do something about this now, really. Its not acceptable to walk off and leave a tiny child in a buggy for even a few minutes at a busy venue. While its quite unlikely that someone would snatch the child there's quite a lot of unpleasant things that could happen, for instance the baby becomes upset, or it manages to choke, or it fills it nappy to overflowing with poo and has to sit soiled and uncomfortable for however long it takes for someone to come back, or someone knocks over the buggy, or a bee stings the baby, or its hungry, etc, etc, etc.
I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable jumping in to deal with any of these incidents in someone else's child and I would feel horribly uncomfortable sitting close by and doing nothing. Phoning the park to report this is a great idea.

Tiredmumno1 · 31/03/2015 15:11

Is there anyone close by that you could ask to get a member of staff?

TwinkieTwinkle · 31/03/2015 15:13

There is literally only one answer to this: Yes, you stay with the baby and you contact park security.

CurlyWurlyCake · 31/03/2015 15:14

Yes to phoning the park and letting them know.

Gruntfuttock · 31/03/2015 15:15

Is the baby asleep? I can't imagine a baby calmly waiting with no one familiar in sight. Unless he/she is used to it maybe. Anyway, it's beyond me how anyone could leave their baby unattended like this.

Original poster
BooChunky · 31/03/2015 15:16

DD and my friend came back and he got a member of staff... The family still aren't back and the baby is awake.

OP posts:
Original poster
BooChunky · 31/03/2015 15:16

He was asleep... He woke up when DD ran over.

OP posts:
TheSingingMonkey · 31/03/2015 15:17

I hope OP you're getting the park security or member of staff and not just waiting for them to come back. It's totally unacceptable.

TheSingingMonkey · 31/03/2015 15:17

X post.

Meechimoo · 31/03/2015 15:19

Judging by the timing of your posts that baby has been unattended for 45 minutes. That family need a visit from social services.

M00nUnit · 31/03/2015 15:19

So they've left their baby for an hour now? Unbelievable! Shock

Original poster
BooChunky · 31/03/2015 15:20

It's an hour nearly!

The girl who works here has radioed for a manager.

They're going to be back any second though because this is how long my DD was in the same queue.

OP posts:
DarkHeart · 31/03/2015 15:21

A family did this when I was at a theme park last summer. The baby was tiny. Another lady had already called the police by the time I saw the pram was unattended- they had all gone off on a ride with a one hour wait time Shock I was horrified. Not sure what the outcome was as the police arrived and took the baby.

TheSingingMonkey · 31/03/2015 15:21

Disgusting, they need a bloody SS visit.

FirstWeTakeManhattan · 31/03/2015 15:23

I think you should insist the park contact the police to be honest. Nearly an hour? That's neglect surely.

ImCatbug · 31/03/2015 15:23

I hope the manager comes before they get back! If not, OP, please say something. This is horrible, what the hell are they thinking?

gaahhnonicknamesleft · 31/03/2015 15:24

What will you say to the family OP if they come back before the manager is there?

As awkward as it would be to say something, if you say nothing they won't realise that the child could have been in danger/ that they could have been in trouble with the police

Girlwithnotattoos · 31/03/2015 15:25

Keep us posted OP need to know what possible excuse the parents can conjure up to explain leaving a baby!

AlphaBravoHenryFoxtons · 31/03/2015 15:25

Perhaps they are watching the baby?

FirstWeTakeManhattan · 31/03/2015 15:26

Can you take a photograph of the family on your 'phone or something OP, as they come to pick the baby up? They might just try to wander off. I really think they should be reported - I have a one year old and the thought of leaving her alone in a busy park for an hour is unthinkable.

bishboschone · 31/03/2015 15:26

Bloody hell , why would you do
That ?? It could choke , some people are so stupid !!

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