To think a lot of parents of very young children become quite selfish

[allthewaythere]

I am expecting to be flamed but here goes.

Yesterday I was walking on a really narrow street and a couple were walking with a very young baby who’s only just started to take a few hesitant steps, maybe 11 months, so he had dad on one side and mum on the other.

Because the street was so narrow it meant everyone behind them either had to walk at toddler pace or step into the road to get by.

I’ve seen this in a lot of my friends with really young children. Is this a thing and does it pass?

People without children seem to hate that people with children sometimes need the wider space to get a baby out or say don't want to walk in the road with a pram/baby

Wow. I bet you're one of those parents who claimed that having a baby have you sooo much more empathy aren't you.

Where would you have them learn, @mytwobundles? Maybe yours toddle around your country estate?! The rest of us have to grow up and live in the world. And once they're determined to walk you risk holding up even more impatient types with an almighty tantrum if you say no. Still, a mother's place is in the wrong and all that...

How does the human race stand a chance, if adults can't tolerate little humans, learning and developing? Face palm!

Let's see well I have one child with a severe disability who I helped learn to walk in the house/garden/ the hospital corriders between therapy/ quiet streets/ My NT kids learnt in the house/garden/quiet streets/:hospital corridors in between their subs therapy session/ toddler groups etc etc. Not once did I take them on a busy street while learning. It is more than possible to teach kids to walk whole also having g respect for others.

Exactly badjanet (appropriate name for your comment btw!)

This is one of those so-obviously-unreasonable-posts that it makes me wonder

And I can assure you we live in thereal world one whete we rush to appointents, one whete I teach my kids road safety and to move aside for others. When others take up tne entire path potentially putting MY children at risk by forcing them into a road I do tend to see red.

Many older people also walk slowly and take up space. Sometimes they even wobble and fall. Are they being 'disrespectful' for not staying indoors/ on private land too @mytwobundles?

Where on earth have I mentioned private land 😂 I haven't said anyone should stay indoors, I have said parents should have consideration for others. The elderly is a completely different situation as you well know.

Ah they were probably just having a little moment, enjoying some family time and some of the babies first steps out in the streets which still have the Christmas lights on them :)

And yes, parents can become so consumed in their children that they don’t notice other things around them. It might be a nuisance for other people but it’s good for the child. Google ‘primary maternal preoccupation’.

WTF? Whatever happened to good manners? You don't concentrate solely on your child to the detriment of everyone else. Way to bring up selfish children.

YANBU - a child who is only just learning to walk should not be doing it on a public street.

The environment wasn't right to have a baby practising its walking actions. Obviously not quite able to go it alone that parents were holding on on either side. There are a lot of people who seem to be unaware of what's happening around them and it's not just elderly. Had to trudge behind two females who both had phones out , would guess they were doing a search for something, and chatting at the same time. Had to wait until I was able to walk on road to get past. No they couldn't step to the side and let people pass.

Yes and I do. Like I've said countless times I move aside for others, my children move aside for others, we walk single file to accommodate everyone we show tolerance. What I strongly object to is people taking up tne entire path, refusing g to pick up a baby so as not to upset it making others walk into a road. Toddlers walk, babies like the one in the op is no where near walking confidently so for its own safety shouldn't be learning on a busy street. I'm showing genuine concern for a baby's welfare of that's not considerate then I really don't know what is. Yes it's all magical, untill the baby gets kicked.

People without children seem to hate that people with children sometimes need the wider space to get a baby out or say don't want to walk in the road with a pram/baby

I think modern society views having a baby similar to getting a pet. I’m 6 months pregnant and lots of my (mid/late twenties) friends seem to think it’s ‘similar’ to when they got their puppy 🙄🤔

The child isn’t really recognised as an independent human being with their own rights (the same as anyone else) until they’re well into their teens. Until then its totally acceptable for grown adults to say ‘I’m not a kids person’ and expect them to be kept out of their way and stopped from inconveniencing them by existing, much like someone says ‘I’m not a dog/cat person’ and expects them to be kept away from them 👍🏻

It would be nice if both parents and non parents extended the same common sense and courtesy to each other but instead they seem to prefer to battle it out in a ‘moral high ground’ battle to the death!

FWIW I agree with PP who said non parents simply can’t comment on parenting! They can however comment on selfish/entitled behaviour from other adults!

Tough really, isn't it. A mild annoyance for you is probably a great memory for them with their child. I remember the first time mine went on foot and it was a snails pace with lots of wobbling and swerving. If they annoyed anyone I can't say I really care

This says it all - and justifies the OP's point.

*also, MN is not exclusively for parents. There are entire boards for completely non parenting related issues. Pets, mental health, gardening, weddings...etc

Different how @mytwobundles? Apart from the obvious? Do explain.

Consideration goes both ways and covers both "excuse me please" and "oh sorry i didn't realise you were there!"

So what about the fat elderly couple holding hands or linking arms and ambling along? Are they selfish too? What about the inconsiderate person with a wheelchair and a dog - also selfish?
S they are focussed on baby's first steps, so what? Its a joyous time.
What makes your pace right and theirs wrong?
If you want to overtake the vey young, very old or the disabled you can either politely say excuse me and see if they can squeeze in, or step into the road for a second, is that really such a big deal? YABVU and petty.

What some of us are baffled about is why the OP didn’t tell them to hurry up/move/explain they were causing a jam and instead quietly seethe , then vent on here!

Not just about that situation, which probably cost her 30 seconds of her terribly important life but about how parents with young children are selfish 🤔.

ruffle I don't see it's different either, other than many on here seem to see young children as less than human.

Babies can be easily picked up, if left on a busy street they are not seen causing a huge trip hazard, mostly to the elderly who won't see them. That's the difference.

WorldsOnFire Wed 01-Jan-20 18:54:41
also, MN is not exclusively for parents. There are entire boards for completely non parenting related issues. Pets, mental health, gardening, weddings...etc

Well to an extent yes, but its mainly for parents - developed by 2 London mums to share info with other mums about parenting. The clue is in the name.

Tomuch so my kids have to put themselves in danger by stepping into a road now 😠😠 since when has ensuring tbe safety of my kids been petty?

Unattended babies roaming busy streets causing elderly folk to trip over them - yes because that happens all the time. my high street is awash with them