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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to not want my dc being strapped into Walk o dile

268 replies

Castleheights · 30/11/2016 12:40

Im prepared to be told I am being silly but, I feel uneasy about groups of children being strapped together.

At my dc nursery they have arranged a trip into town using a walk o dile. (Sorry don't know how to link). It's a so called safety device for keeping children safe when there are not enough adult hands available.

Aibu to think it looks unsafe because if one child falls so will others? Furthermore there are plenty of parents who would help if asked, nursery have said they don't want any parental help.

OP posts:
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5
corythatwas · 30/11/2016 15:13

ooo, I remember that game, sparechange, I used to love that

I want to play now...

Soubriquet · 30/11/2016 15:14

Yes I would judge more with parents who aren't watching their children by the road, than those on reins

MackerelOfFact · 30/11/2016 15:15

I keep reading this as a 'walk-or-die'

Me too!

But what if they all ran off together?!

Haha, I was wondering this as well...!

MyGastIsFlabbered · 30/11/2016 15:19

Estate I'm a single parent who gets limited financial support from my abusive STBXH. I can choose to be a SAHP totally reliant on state benefits or I can go to work and 'farm my children out to childcare'.

Which of these options is least deplorable to you?

Greengoddess12 · 30/11/2016 15:19

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Greengoddess12 · 30/11/2016 15:20

estate 1950s still calling you as a perfect example

heateallthebuns · 30/11/2016 15:33

I have twins and then one not quite two years younger. (Sorry estate, we thought we were infertile so no 3 was a surprise) I would love one of those for shopping centres etc.

At the moment I put the three year old in the buggy and the other two (age 5) hold onto either side. This works fine unless they see a shiny transformer or kinder egg or something. Then they bolt.

I had to leave a basket of shopping in the middle of Asda recently. I had to march them all out and strap them back into the car with their dad. Then go back in to rescue my shopping. They were all running in different directions.

I tried reins but they just sat on the floor.

RufusTheSpartacusReindeer · 30/11/2016 15:37

I wouldnt have had them for my children but I think they are a great idea for nurserys in busy cities and towns

Soubriquet · 30/11/2016 15:40

If Jamie bulger had been in reins he couldn't have been taken

That's a horrible thing to say. I've heard his mum still comes on here. She doesn't need to read things like that

NapQueen · 30/11/2016 15:47

Wow. What a statement!

honkinghaddock · 30/11/2016 15:53

"I hate reins on kids too"
You are lucky you haven't had a child that needs them.

wonderingsoul · 30/11/2016 16:01

We have one at work it holdd 8 children.. one adult at the front holding a hand one at the back holding a hand. They dont fall or trip each other up.

Kinda wanna see what would happen the adult at the back had a scate board and shouted mush.

But really they are safe.. toddlers dont walk very fast and actually do as there told at nursery.

JennyPocket · 30/11/2016 16:03

Estate - most people don't think it's "dehumanising"... but then most people prioritise the physical safety of their children over the adult slant of "chain gangs" .

The children aren't actually in a real chain gang, y'know. They are not being disrespected or humiliated, they are being kept safe in a practical manner in order for them to be able to go further afield more safely. Makes sense to me. Even you say you couldn't safely manage with 2 small ones, so why would you expect nursery staff to with a bigger ration to deal with than 2 children per carer? I know - they don't go out at all. Brilliant.

BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 30/11/2016 16:06

I swore I would never put my child in reins until I discovered the awesome twisting power of a 2 year old when they DON'T want their hand held.
If i held them tight enough to avoid escape there were yells of "You're hurting me!!!"

PersianCatLady · 30/11/2016 16:13

If Jamie bulger had been in reins he couldn't have been taken
You are a bitch for saying that and the only saving grace is that I don't expect that his mother will read what you have just written.

SpaceDinosaur · 30/11/2016 16:13

MUSH!!

That cracked me up!!! Brilliant!

This isn't a new concept. I remember being in a chain gang like this when I was at nursery in the 80's. Granted it wasn't a clippy one. It was like a GIANT skipping rope with handles. You had to hold your handle and walk nicely.
Known bolters were at the front or back with the grown ups
Being allowed to be in the middle was a privilege.

The most manual labour my chain gang had to endure was collecting conkers, leaves and obviously laying roads! Grin

CancellyMcChequeface · 30/11/2016 16:16

One child with reins being held by a parent has a lot more freedom of movement than a child who is attached to a bunch of other children in one of these Walkodiles, though. I don't like the idea. The visual is very chain gang-like, even if that's obviously not what's happening.

I've taken small groups of 4-year-olds out on trips and yes, as the adult you have to be hyper-aware of their safety, but walking safely in a group is also something that children need to learn. In practice, the children who are likely to misunderstand/ignore instructions usually hold an adult's hand.

HerRoyalFattyness · 30/11/2016 16:20

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ShowMeTheElf · 30/11/2016 16:23

Dehumanising? Really? I took a bunch of 7-10 year olds to London at the weekend and we walked in pairs. When it was crowded they CHOSE to hold on like a crocodile: it's actually quite comforting.

MrsJayy · 30/11/2016 16:27

What a terrible thing to say i hope james Bulgers mother isn't reading this jesus wept

PersianCatLady · 30/11/2016 16:29

That's a horrible thing to say. I've heard his mum still comes on here. She doesn't need to read things like that
Now I have read this I have reported the original offending post in the hope that it gets deleted.

Thanks for the information Soubriquet

Trifleorbust · 30/11/2016 16:30

Dehumanising Hmm

Nothing like being run over, is there?

MooMooTheFirst · 30/11/2016 16:31

I am a nursery teacher. This year, because the ratios have changed I have 19 children with me and my TA. I love taking my class out for walks, impromptu ones to go blackberry picking or pine cone collecting but for the love of all that's holy it sends my blood pressure Sky high every time. We go out with an adult at the front holding a hand and an adult at the back holding a hand. Everyone else in between holding hands with a partner... but it's like herding cats.
I would LOVE one of these

DaisyQueen · 30/11/2016 16:37

I saw a lady using one of these in my town centre last week and I thought it was amazing. It had 5 kids around 3 year old in it, I've also seen nursery teachers pushing a bus thing with 8 kids in and it looked awesome!

CancellyMcChequeface · 30/11/2016 16:40

When it was crowded they CHOSE to hold on like a crocodile: it's actually quite comforting.

True, it can be! There's a difference between choosing to hold hands/walk in a crocodile and being made to through being attached with wrist straps or a harness, though. I doubt your 7-10 year olds would have been happy with that!

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