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AIBU?

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

404 replies

Ab1000 · 09/01/2017 20:22

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.

OP posts:
MrsJamesFrazer · 13/01/2017 00:50

I work in a child friendly restaurant and am amazed that some people would let their toddlers amble around the salad bar.
To top that tho I almost trod on a baby that was crawling around it on Sunday!! Wtaf😵

WyfOfBathe · 13/01/2017 01:30

I don't (generally) mind toddlers toddling if they're actually going somewhere.

But toddlers wandering aimlessly around a cafe or waiting room or library really annoys me. Is there really no other way of entertaining them, whether by taking them somewhere else or just giving them some toys to play with? We've always taught DD that there are some places you can run around, and others you can't.

The library is my biggest bug bear. The main library in my town has a massive children's area with books and toys, and an adult section, and a "silent" study area on a separate floor. In my mind, toddlers should be aloud to play in the children's area and wander around the adult section (accompanied by a parent)... and should stay out of or be kept under control in the study area! Sadly a lot of parents don't seem to share my view, according to the number of small children running around screaming and laughing while people were working.

ImaginationHasNoAge · 13/01/2017 08:42

This wasnt about toddler rights at all. I cant see how this is different to people walking slowly while on their phones, with broken legs, on wheelchairs or anyone for that matter who goes at a slower pace than you.
I know that not all parents have the same consideration level when it comes to public places. This however doesnt mean that just because someone is doing something that i get annoyed with is their fault. Its up to me to either let it annoy the hell out me and take it out on anything or anyone. Inner peace is a powerful quality.
By no means was I trying to start an argument.

faithinthesound · 13/01/2017 09:42

You might not have meant it to be about toddler rights, but there are a subset of parents who get all up in arms and make it about toddler rights.

Here's the thing though. People with broken legs, in wheelchairs, etc - they know they're slower, and they tend to walk to the side so that people can pass if necessary. If they're not, you can ask - and they tend to move, and even apologize for getting in your way. People walking slowly while on their phones, they're in the wrong, but again, you can ask them to move and - if they have any manners or decorum at all - they usually will.

Toddlers, on the other hand. You can't reason with a toddler, as so many of the parents on this thread have come out to tell us. But it's more than that - not only is it reasoning with a toddler like trying to teach a fish to ride a bicycle (i.e., completely pointless lol), but it has the added disadvantage of the parent of the toddler telling you off. How DARE you speak to little Rufus! You're not his parent! His PARENTS make the decision for Rufus's care, not you! And you're selfish, they berate you, for having the audacity to have wants and needs that don't line up precisely with Rufus's desire to toddle right exactly where you need to walk!

So there's two different things going on here. Most people above the age of five or so can be reasoned with and helped to understand that they're doing something that's inconveniencing or upsetting someone. But at toddler age, not only can the toddler not be reasoned with, but you too often get abused for even trying by the parent, who also apparently cannot be reasoned with.

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