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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to take DC to toilet with me?

16 replies

Alovelycupofteaplease · 14/07/2018 15:40

Camping with DC, 4&9yo. Small field, a few other campers. DC happily playing Lego with snacks in big tent. No obvious dangers around, eg stream etc. Would you leave them in tent to go to toilet block in next field or take them with you?

OP posts:

Ceecee18 · 14/07/2018 15:51

I would definitely take them with me. Too young to be left unsupervised in an unfamiliar place.

Sirzy · 14/07/2018 15:53

9 year old I wokld leave but not with a 4 year old.

funinthesun18 · 14/07/2018 15:54

Take them with me.

FuckingHateRain · 14/07/2018 15:54

I wouldn't leave them

Ylvamoon · 14/07/2018 15:55

Do they know where the toilets are? I it a straight walk there? Would they find them by themselves?
If the answer is yes, to all of the questions, is go on my own!

upsideup · 14/07/2018 15:55

I'd leave my 4 and 8 year olds together.

Beehiveyourself · 14/07/2018 15:55

Take them with me. Buy a portaloo!

Mol1628 · 14/07/2018 15:56

No I wouldn’t leave them.

Aquamarine1029 · 14/07/2018 15:56

I would never leave them. Not a chance.

LucyFox · 14/07/2018 16:26

At 9yo, I would think they could be left playing for 5 mins, obviously if you are planning to be gone for 1/2hr or they aren’t responsible then you’d have to take them...

Original poster

Alovelycupofteaplease · 14/07/2018 16:42

Interesting to hear from others. I have previously camped with friends where I felt uptight (it was commented on) to not let both DC go off and play by themselves. I did let older child go but was nervous. This time it was just me and I wasn't sure what was OK.

OP posts:

Cleanermaidcook · 14/07/2018 16:45

I'd tell them where I was going, ask the 4yr old if they needed to go, if yes take that child if not leave them both together telling them to stay by the tent till you come back.

Sunflowersforever · 15/07/2018 09:57

I would never, ever, leave my child unattended at those ages. Ask a trusted adult to keep an eye on them. If no trusted adult, then that tells you all you need to know.

HectorlovesKiki · 15/07/2018 10:08

Madeleine McCann.
Enough said.

Tringley · 15/07/2018 11:01

They are awake and playing in the afternoon. Don't they go off playing by themselves on site when camping at those ages? Isn't that more or less the actual point of this kind of trip? To let the kids have small amounts of the independence from adults that they actually need. I specifically go camping to give my DS a chance to play with the type of freedom that I (and all pretty much all previous generations of our species) enjoyed at his age but is impossible for him now due to road traffic. I would never leave him alone when he's sleeping because the odds of him waking and becoming distressed are too great. But when he's awake, I let him make his own informed decisions about the independence he is ready for as much as I can. (He's 5.)

Original poster

Alovelycupofteaplease · 15/07/2018 13:33

Tringley I think that's part of the appeal of camping. Last time DC1 was initially cautious but then loved the freedom (but did disappear for 3 hours at one point!). But I forced myself to relax. Was good for both is us.

Different type of camping this time. Much quieter and more of a hillwalker location (absolute bliss) and I specifically wanted to spend time playing with them without usual distractions. It was really only the toilet and going to the car to get supplies that were an issue.

OP posts:

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