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.

Annoys me too, also when you are sat somewhere minding your own business (watching a sporting event or something) and a toddler comes wandering over and starts messing with your bag or banging you on the knee. Mega embarrassing and don't want a snotty toddler messing with my stuff. Why don't the parents watch them and get them/stop them if it looks like they are going to bother someone? I never let my kids wander around in busy places bothering people.

My child wouldn't use reins, barely holds my hand. I spend my life either dragging along a screaming toddler, bribing her with chocolate or just avoiding cafes and shops.
I will return to normality when she decides she can listen and will hold my hand

Was in the airport recently in a very long passport control queue. Toddler in front, so much A*sing about it wasn't true. At one point there was a massive gap in front of them, because they would not move along before their toddler decided too. At least one hundred people behind them not buying their "isn't he cute" rubbish.

My toddler is just walking and very wobbly. Usually on reins but even so has tendency to step in front of people or get under someone's feet.
I normally carry her in busy places but sometimes she needs to stretch her legs and will scream until put down. I don't yank on the reins to keep her in check, she's not a dog who must walk to heel! I expect other people to be a bit tolerant and look where they're going.

I had to catch a toddler from falling in front of a tube train last week. Totally 100 per cent agree that it's not appropriate to let them wander everywhere.

Yes of course Mad, I mean everybody. Parents should not let their toddlers stand in the middle of doorways/ pavements but if they're never allowed to walk with their parents then when will they learn this? I hate this me me me attitude. Everyone should just make some allowances for other people. The world would be a much better place.

Dailyfail!! No! What happened? Where were the parents?

My DH is GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY of this I actually cringe when I'm out with him and he's allowing our 2yr old to wander around, under people's feet, in Costa when there are hot drinks etc I spend my time hissing at him 'pick him up' 'move him out of their way' 'mind him' etc
and then he does that 'oh do be careful, mind out DC' - he's 2 FFS, you mind him! Argh!
I must add that our DS is a total daddy's boy and wants nothing to do with me when given the choice between the two of us - so if I were to try to hold his hand or carry him, he will kick and scream for DH.

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.

When mine were learning to walk, I'd let them do their toddling in the park or on a quiet route, never on a busy road where people are going to want to get past, it's about being considerate to other people.

You can't compare it to old people hogging the pavement, that's different....You can lift a toddler out of the way.

People usually are very tolerant in my experience, and toddlers are cute. But if I don't see the baby and knee it flying or drop a tray of drinks on them, how is that my fault?

Titania The mum was behind him watching him toddle away taking photos of him. Clearly a tourist, she didn't even react when he ran to the edge just as the train was coming in. Thankfully I was there and able to carry him. Dread to think what would have happened if not.

Another pet hate is when they start to scream, parents don't take the m out, so we all have to listen to it. So you go for a meal or a coffee out and have to sit listening to screamers.....I always took mine out until they stopped, so as not to bother people.

I wasn't saying toddlers can't walk just asking parents to be sensible or not allow them to wander where it's dangerous. There are plenty of other open spaces to wander about in. Isn't it interesting that it's suggested allowances should be made but why is that just a one way thing? Only allowances towards children not towards busy adults going about their business

gobsmacked. There ate no words.

Did you tell her about herself or keep shtum? Did she backed shocked at all?

Tourist is no bloody excuse for that level of stupidity.

I remember 2 grumpuses moaning and, oh for fucks saking, because ds was so slow, walking in front of them, making me want to kick them in the shins as they barged past. Arseholes.

Old, disabled and toddlers, know your place!

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.

So because they're old they have nothing else to do all day?
Everyone, old and young, should just get out of your way?

Hmm you only seem to be mentioning 'where it's dangerous' now op. In your original post you seemed to only have an issue with them being in your way.
And how do you know that elderly people have 'nothing on all day'? How patronising!
You are right about being grumpy and I would add completely self-obsessed to that as well.

YANBU, it's very annoying

Titania I called her an idiot but needed to board my train, so nothing more. I still hold my 8 year old dd's hand on the tube. You can't let a toddler find his feet on a busy platform!

One of my DD works in an upmarket restaurant chain. In the mornings says its like a playgroup with small kids rushing about hiding round tables, scootering around. All normal behaviour for children but surely not where trays of hot food and drink are being ferried around.
One waitress with tray of hot tea got a nasty scald on her hand ( A and E job) because she had to "catch" a pot of hot tea to prevent it falling all over a toddler who had crashed into her shins. The manageress, understandably exasperated, told Mum that she needed to control her children or leave. Mums response was to put a complaint in about her rudeness!

I think no matter who we are old or young we should have an awareness of others and our surroundings. I don't wander about aimlessly, I don't allow my children to, is it too much to expect the same from others. Life would run much more smoothly if everyone had this awareness and the majority of us wouldn't be continually pissed off.

Yes it should definitely go both ways, I wouldn't let my dd wander around away from me anywhere and definitely not in cafes or coffee houses etc. But it should definitely go both ways.

And mumzy sometimes I go to cafes with my 2 year old dd and 3 month old ds on my own. If one (or both!) of them start crying I can't just take them outside because that would mean completely abandoning our food! I won't do that. So there might be a few uncomfortable minutes of crying whilst I settle them.

dailyfail I would be terrified seeing that!

We caught the train a few weeks ago. Ds was firmly in his pushchair.

Dd had strict telling that if she went near the big yellow slabs near the yellow line, she would have to come and sit down next to me.

She's pretty good at listening so I wasn't too worried but I still kept a close eye ready to jump up if she got close

I think you've got to have a pretty joyless life to resent a toddler toddling, it's not that difficult to walk around them. Obviously a toddler blocking a doorway is ridiculous and toddlers should be kept safe but that situation is not the norm surely. I think a child should be able to learn to walk outside / stop and explore a leaf etc without constant restraint for fear of causing some adult to take a sideways step - if you don't like being around the public (children, disabled, elderly) then move somewhere remote or don't go outside. Do you seriously think that the elderly should shop at a time that's most convenient for you? What a bizarre sense of self importance you must have.