To be annoyed with parents allowing their "just walking " toddlers to wander aimlessly

[Ab1000]

When I'm on my lunch break I'm always in a rush to get stuff done. It's so annoying when parents allow their kids to toddle around and get in everyone's way. I have two children so I do know what it's like but mine were either on reins or had a hand firmly held.

For those complaining about adults on phones or whatever, well actually one of the nicest things about being an adult is that you are entitled to walk down the road whilst on Facebook.

Well, yes, I suppose so. But if you're foolish enough to be focusing on Facebook instead of where you're walking, you're part of the problem.

RedNoseRumble if that toddler isn't in any danger and the only problem is he's getting in your way then no they shouldn't move! He has just as much right to be toddling along if there's no danger. When my child walks alongside me on a narrow pathway people who want to get past me wait patiently until they can navigate around us and do so without huffing and puffing. If I thought they had a problem I would walk even slower. As they are very polite I try to get out of their way as soon as I can.

I'm sorry I agree! There is a time and place for toddlers to toddle and busy crowded areas in my opinion is not one of them! I'm always amazed at their mums having no consideration that we all have to share the same space. I held my children's hands in busy places.

YABU.

This website is clearly for all you people out there that just want to moan and gossip about crap! A toddler needs to learn and experience new things! What are you on and get a grip!

Depends entirely on the situation. My one year old had just started walking. And if we're in a shop I'll let her walk around. I'm always right behind her and watching out. And I'll more than happily pick her up to move her out of people's way. Exploring is really good for them but parents shouldn't let it get in other people's way.

Is there a way of pulling the plug on an op. I'm sick of explaining my op. My objection is to toddlers wAndering aimlessly not:
Toddlers walking slow
Holding parents hands, push chairs etc
Or under the control of their parents

End of !!

I agree with the OP. It is very annoying when kids are neglected to wander around and often they scream a lot. Its not ok for other people and of course we cannot say or do anything because other people's kids are beyond reproach, as are their parents.

Halfway, I totally disagree. While a toddler does have a right to toddle, a busy thoroughfare isn't the place and who mention huffing and puffing? Steely eyed gaze to the back of the head yes but no huffing and puffing. No need on a busy school morning and with a total disregard to the queue of parents behind.

OP, I don't think you helped yourself with your follow up, tbh.

TBH yes I do feel the same about old people. Sorry I'm a grumpy cow but if you've got nothing else on all day why do you need to go to Tesco between 12 and 2pm and stand in the aisles gossiping.

I can't say I am massively bothered about this...unless the hysterical parents have a go at me when I accidentally bump into their child (which is usually what happens).

I am more bothered about mobile children in restaurants and public transport on scooters, ffs. In what parallel universe is that acceptable.

Hmm - toddlers and old people annoying so much - you must be in a real rage if someone's on crutches or god forbid a wheelchair - grumpy bugger yabu

YANBU...

A few years ago, I was minding my own business doing a food shop in M&S. The adjacent carpark had the entry/exit road directly outside the entrance to the store. Woman on the phone, wheeling mini trolley, leaving toddler to trail behind her, without a glance. Toddler broke for the door, and she didn't look up from the phone. Dropped my shopping and bolted for the door - managed to grab toddler and yank back just in time to avoid car wheels. Herd child back in to mother, who then gives me a mouthful for grabbing them. Grrrr.

YABU. Before I had kids I would have agreed with you but not now. And I think if you're a mum you should know better than seeing the world as black and white. There are multiple factors at play and they are humans with just as many rights to the world as you. Plus some children like my son are horrendous if they aren't allowed a bit of freedom. Of course they need to be safe but you have eyes and can move out the way. Get over yourself.

If you don't like crying go somewhere thats not a FAMILY FRIENDLY restaurant/pub.

And one of two things happen when you try this. Either you get accused of being an entitled child hater if you do go to a "not family friendly/childfree" restaurant/pub, or you get parents who decide that the rules don't apply to them and bring their children to the "not family friendly/childfree" restaurant/pub in defiance of any rules. And THEN they accuse you of being an entitled child hater anyway.

So maybe it's not as simple as just telling people who don't want to listen to crying, to bog off somewhere that there won't be children around. Plenty of parents are working hard to make sure that no such places exist.

I can understand train stations, shops, cafes ect but on the way to school? There is no danger for child or adult just a bit of inconvenience. As soon as my child could walk I only used the pushchair for long journeys, same will happen with Dd when she starts to walk. I take them to busy places but ensure they are stood/walking sensibly and not walking into people. I'm not going to stick him in a pram because it's convenient for other people. I will try to get my child out of the way as soon as it's possible but if that's means a slow walk for a couple of minutes until there's a space for us to move over can you not have a little patience? It takes young children a little while to alot of things, it's not their fault. And for those who say can he not walk behind? No it would take a second for someone to snatch him, for him to see a something exciting on the other side of the road and try to get to it. As for walking in front, same thing with the road could I get to him in time? Maybe, maybe not so he stays beside me and the pram whether we are in the way or not. That's me being responsible for my child and keeping him out of danger in my eyes.

faithinthesound well that's fair enough, if I had date night with dh at a restaurant where you wouldn't expect to see children and there was a child crying I would be pissed off. Same scenario in family friendly wouldn't bother me. I wouldn't dream of taking dc to a place that wasn't family friendly even though they sit lovely colouring, jigsaws ect.

Alexthekid
Toddlers toddling, fancy that!

Aaaand the prize for the first Wilfully Misunderstanding Dick of this thread goes to Alexthekid

Weatherwaxorogg thank you !

Personally I think toddlers should have a lead and choke chain. They are more unpredictable than a dog.

Oldies should not go to the supermarket over lunchtime. They are only in the way. Would it not be more pleasant for them to amble around the place when they are in the way of stressed 9 to 5ers? And what is all that about, them using public transport with working commuters? I won't be getting out of bed at sparrow's fart to fight with people in a rush to get to work, rest assured!

Ha!!!

So freedom also includes running around in the car park, playing on roads, train tracks etc beciSe they don't like being held, reined
Or whatever?
Or does this freedom just include rampaging around stores, cafes and countless other places?

Hi not had time to read but do agree, my daughter had gross motor skills delay so didn't crawl until 14 months and walking later, because she was slightly older she had more of a sense of danger so would not wonder off, was worried at the time but now think it was not a bad thing living in central London (fine motor skills advanced because of this) 11 month old not crawling yet either, have seen 9 month olds walking around with no sense of danger, slightly scary 😬

Yes YABU.
What makes what you have to do in your lunch break more important than a toddlers right to toddle?
I no longer have toddlers but if they wanted to walk about when they were little then I let them. And why the hell not?!
They're not doing you any harm after all.
I'm more bothered about ignorant adults who barge about paying no attention to others in their single minded pursuit of their own agenda. Or those who leave their supermarket trolley in the middle of an aisle so no one else can get past. Or adults walking 3 abreast taking up a whole pavement chatting shit and imperding the flow of foot traffic!

bumsex was just about to say that, this is a ridiculous post. Of course you are being unreasonable, they have every right to use their legs it's exercise, we are already a nation with major obesity issues, why would you not encourage your kids to walk from a young age. It's irritating when someone is in your way but I find its usually two grown ups ambling along having a conversation and hogging up the pavement whilst me and my toddler and 4 year old on scooters are trying to get past!