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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think it's only right to clean up after my baby??

40 replies

HerbieLBug · 14/05/2015 21:36

Stinky monkey face is 13 months and a v.messy eater (obvs at that age). We're currently on holiday at a 4* leisure resort which is full of both families and old fogies. Today, after lunch, I popped down on my hands and knees to clean up the (pretty significant) mess on the floor resulting from a half eaten ham sandwich, rice cakes, blueberry and cucumber ensemble to be met with gasps (yes, audible!) from on lookers and DH who obviously thought that, it being such a nice place, my behaviour was unreasonable and I should let the staff clean up instead!!! So - AIBU to clean up after ourselves???

OP posts:
EatShitDerek · 14/05/2015 21:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cashewnutty · 14/05/2015 21:39

I would always pick up the chunkiest bits. It's horrible to leave that for someone else to pick up.

Happybodybunny12 · 14/05/2015 21:40

Think you sound lovely and sure the hotel staff do too. Smile

SummerHouse · 14/05/2015 21:40

YANBU.

I never leave piles of food on the floor. It would matter not if I was in MacDonalds or claridges. I am always a bit shocked that people do leave it.

CMOTDibbler · 14/05/2015 21:43

There was a stage of my life when asking for 'the bill and a dustpan and brush please' was totally normal. Sometimes the staff said they'd do it, but it always seemed polite to offer to tidy up after ds

FourEyesGood · 14/05/2015 21:46

Good for you - carry on being a decent citizen! Smile I always used to do this too, as both DCs were extremely messy.

Pilgit · 14/05/2015 21:48

YANBU. Will always do this.

Pointlessfan · 14/05/2015 21:49

YANBU I would do the same. I bet the staff appreciate it.

onedogatoddlerandababy · 14/05/2015 21:52

YANBU I also do the same.

hillyhilly · 14/05/2015 21:53

I always did, was absolutely horrified when a friend of mine got up from the table in a park cafe and just walked away from the shitpile her kids had created all over the table and the floor. Doesn't matter where you are, it's a common courtesy

meglet · 14/05/2015 21:53

Yanbu. I always scoop the bits off the floor and tidy the table a bit. Now my dc's are older the crayons are put back in pots and straws / napkins / doodles are all balled up together.

isthatmorelego · 14/05/2015 21:53

Something I've always done and yes I do judge people who leave a mess for staff to clean. Maybe as worked in hospitality and have cleaned such messmyself.

BillyBigchin · 14/05/2015 21:54

YANBU. I always did that when my boys were babies and I still do now they are older.

Often the staff will rush over and take over, but it's not my intention to make them do that!

wheresthelight · 14/05/2015 21:54

I do this too! I actually had a staff member at a local pub restaurant tell me not to worry she would sort it when i asked if she had a dustpan I could use. she looked a bit Confused when I insisted that I did it as it was my kids mess

electionfatigue · 14/05/2015 21:55

Yes - I always had a go at cleaning up the worst of the mess with a wipe. It's the civilized thing to to.

PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom · 14/05/2015 21:57

No, you are totally right.

I always try and do the worst. It's obviously not as clean as they will get it, but you can at least get rid of the obvious pieces and make an attempt.

WorraLiberty · 14/05/2015 21:58

People seriously gasped at a parent doing something completely normal? Confused

They're weird - ignore them.

YANBU.

Sirzy · 14/05/2015 21:59

Yup I always clean up after DS. Check for any bits on the floor and made sure that the table isn't left too messy.

Limedaiquirialwayslime · 14/05/2015 22:00

My DD is 13 months too, she's not to messy but I always pick up as much as I can from the floor and wipe the table and high chair. To be honest, if I drop something I'd pick it up as well. So, no, YANBU

Yeasayer · 14/05/2015 22:00

YANBU. The same people who 'gasped' would've tutted if you'd have left it. You should know as a parent you'll never win Wink. I always pick up the biggest pieces & apologise / leave a nice tip if the mess is horrendous. I'd hate my child to learn from my behaviour that its 'fine' to make a mess because it's someone's 'job' to clean up after them.

Stinkersmum · 14/05/2015 22:01

Yanbu at all. I've worked in restaurants etc for years. The disgusting mess some people used to leave astounded me. If they can't be bothered in public, I wonder what their home looks like......

FranBrodie · 14/05/2015 22:02

I do too, but am a bit wary of using baby wipes on them floor since I turned our kitchen into an ice rink!

hedgehogsdontbite · 14/05/2015 22:06

YANBU I do the same. I also stack all the plates and glasses neatly at the end of the table.

BeCool · 14/05/2015 22:07

I made a passing waiter weep smile other day when I asked him for something to wipe the table with and then gave it to my 7yo to clean up the mess she had made on a cafe table.

It's great when the dc get old enough to sort their own mess up. Grin

Bluecarrot · 14/05/2015 22:08

Always clean up after dd except if she's kicking off in which case I think everyone concerned would rather we left them with the mess!