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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to be upset - accused of "laying hands" on child

8 replies

FloraPostIt · 30/01/2019 21:28

I'm on holiday with my family and can't stop crying. Earlier today at the pool I was going down a long water slide. There are no staff at the top and a "traffic light" system so you go down when the light is green. There are signs saying only one rider at a time. I went down and less than a quarter of the way down three young boys (About 11/12 I think) came up behind me. We ended up all piled together and I was terrified about the dismount at the end which is pretty vicious. I ended up getting slightly buffeted but not hurt. One of the boys, to be fair, had been repeatedly apologising all the way down.

I shouted at them. I shouted "that wasn't okay", "what were you thinking" and "where are your parents". They slunk off quickly (if you can slink quickly) without a word. I felt very shaken for ages after, mostly because of the shouting. I don't shout and I'm a wuss. There were no staff at the bottom to tell. I decided to let it go but carried on feeling anxious. As I said, I'm a wuss.

Over the next 40 mins or so, the boys would occasionally stare at me and my family from a distance. I pretended to ignore them and tried to enjoy myself but to be honest was faking it. On account of aforesaid wussishness.

On the way out in the showers a man came up to me and aggressively asked me if I'd "laid hands on his boy" I said no but admitted I'd told them off. He said "are you calling my boy a liar". I (and my DB and DSil) chorused "yes" as one (DSil was on slide with me) and he kept at me, not being physically aggressive but very scary.

I went to tell a member of staff and I was taken off and treated very nicely. I was eventually told that he was persisting in his allegations and they would review the CCTV. They said they only had footage of the slide area and not the "shower cave" and so, regardless, would be taking no further action against him. They said I could go to the police but, to be honest, I'm not sure he's committed a criminal offence.

I came back to the accomodation and had a gin. Or two.

I then got a call to sat they'd reviewed the footage of the slide and it corroborated what I'd said about the boys being right behind me. They said they would advise the dad that his children needed to follow the rules or would be asked to leave. However, they didn't have footage of just off the bottom of the slide, where I assume the boy says I hit him. It's the only place. Apparently nothing further is happening but I'm in bits.

I feel embrassed for getting so upset in front of my family (especially my little niece). I feel like my name hadn't been cleared as there is no footage. I feel like this is going to haunt me forever and I'll never stop crying and going over it in my mind.

What should I have done differently? I just want to go home and never come here again.

OP posts:
Ladyoftheloch · 30/01/2019 22:21

You haven’t done anything wrong OP - you’ve been the victim of a shitty situation as a result of an irresponsible parent.

You are not to blame.

Time will help you move past it. Be gentle to yourself Flowers

Nesssie · 30/01/2019 22:26

Nobody else will know about this allegation. You will never see that family or the staff again. The only other people that know about this incident are your family, who know the truth.

timetoriseandshine · 30/01/2019 22:26

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Chickychoccyegg · 30/01/2019 22:30

what a shame, try not to worry about it , I know easier said than done.
the kid's obv rushed to make up a stupid story incase you told his parent about him coming down too quickly on the slide, don't know if there's much you can do really , but you haven't done anything wrong in the first place x

Evidencebased · 30/01/2019 22:35

Ignore times silly post.

I'd have been shaken by that.

Sometimes I have to tell myself, this feels absolutely awful now. Tomorrow it won't feel quite as bad, and in time , although I'll wish it hadn't happened., it won't really matter at all.

Truth shines out of your account. What some stroppy plonker thinks, who wasn't there, and got hold of the wrong end of the stick, and who you never gave to see again, really is of no importance.
Their own child might even point out to them that they got it wrong, and then they'll feel 2inches tall.

CandleConcerto · 30/01/2019 22:38

Bastard for making you feel that way. You really will shake it off soon though. You’re still very close to it.

ArabellaUmbrella · 30/01/2019 22:39

Oh bless you, your reaction is exactly the same as mine would be. What a horrible experience. Unfortunately some parents refuse to see any wrongdoing in their child and will try and shift the blame. That's what's happening now.
Those boys were in the wrong and you did nothing wrong. You will feel better about this in time.ThanksThanksThanks

FloraPostIt · 30/01/2019 23:05

Thank you x

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