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?

Taking up the footpath is just what most people do until such a time as they need to move@eaglejulesk. It's not 'entitled' it's just normal use of the pavement!

Standing there refusing to move when you can see someone wants to get past would be entitled but that's not what anyone does that i've seen and that's not what's being discussed here. If anything in Britain we have the famous 'dance' that we all do because we're all trying so hard to get out of each other's way!

I think your posts send a very regressive message to women, many of whom are only just beginning to feel that they have a right to take up space and be in the world anyway. It's just wrong to come on to a parenting forum and perpetuate the idea that the role of a mother is to be perpetually scurrying about on the sidelines walking single file behind her friends, terrified that she might somehow inconvenience someone who isn't even there yet! just by being out in public. It's totally wrong and I'm not prepared to let it stand unchallenged. Show me one man who lives this way.

Ruffle are we reading glasses different threads because that's not all all the meaning behind eagles posts. Stop twisting people's words beyond recognition for your own ego.

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I don’t go to the city very often but next time I go, if this thread is still running, I’ll take a photo of the street and you’ll be able to see how and why it happened.

I’ve reported your post, Clappy

I am a mother myself.

@Lordfrontpaw 😂😂

I don't accept that at all @my2bundles

But then i've disagreed with everything else you've said too so far. Big surprise. Perhaps you should just stand to one side and let me pass now. Practise what you preach.

I agree @mytwobundles
Some posters are reading all kinds of ridiculous messages into a simple request that parents of toddlers, like everyone else, just be a bit aware of their surroundings and try not to cause unnecessary and avoidable inconvenience to others.

Rubbish. Everyone needs to show consideration to everyone else: parent, grandparent, single person, group of teenagers - whoever. What people are objecting to is the idea that it's parents of small children in particular who need to do this and that these particular people should endeavour to make themselves and their offspring as small and inconspicuous as possible 'just in case'.

Once again ruffle you are twisting the meaning of people's posts . It's actually become really comical that you have got it so spectacularly wrong. But keep going it's fun to read.

No one has said that #rufflecrow

This particular example is about parents who show a lack of awareness around others so that is what people are discussing.

There areots of threads about people causing delays in supermarkets or who drive in a way that's careless and lacks consideration for those around them, and that is what people discuss on those threads.

I agree MrsCromwell.

I would have been delighted to watch a young child taking first steps. They were watching closely as any proud parents would. Other people hogging pavement get a loud "Excuse me please."

I would have been delighted to watch a young child taking first steps

How likely is it that it was this child's "first steps" though?

Surely nearly every child learns inside the home, hanging off various bits of furniture till one day they launch themselves towards mummy or daddy.

It's not like the parents just set them down on the street one day on a whim, and off the child trotted without warning. And a pp has already mentioned the types of shoe they use at each stage too, the earlier ones not being suitable for outdoor use

This isn't some Disney magical moment with birds chirruping and butterflies casting glittery trails in a sunny meadow that we all need to stand back and smile beatifically at.

I don’t go to the city very often but next time I go, if this thread is still running, I’ll take a photo of the street and you’ll be able to see how and why it happened.

Haha yeah, sure

Chappy, how do you know it easy OP who reported your posts? It could have been, it could have been multiple other posters, it could have been OP plus multiple other posters. You just don't know so mocking tne OP is very childish considering you have no idea who reported you.

Hardly selfish perhaps short sighted they were caught up in the moment and probably didn’t realise they were causing an obstruction. Having said that, a busy street isn’t somewhere I’d have done this with a baby.

People of all ages can be twats imo. I stood and held a door for a lady the other day she charged past no thank you. Then an older mans bag fell off his shoulder and hit me as I was passing him he grumbled at me!! There were many people whilst out doing shopping etc that were incredibly rude but you know what that’s their problem not mine!!

I do find it really irritating when I get stuck behind toddlers in the school playground. I just want to get in and out of the place as quickly as I can but most often get stuck behind waddling toddlers or tantrumming ones. My DC were obviously that small once but I always moved them out of the way when people were stuck behind us or I’d pick them up.

Also I agree that adults can be selfish in general. I hate getting stuck behind people walking at snails pace because they’re mid gossip and seemingly have no thought for others behind them. I’m always conscious of the way I’m affecting others.

Why do you keep questioning the Ops version of events @ClappyCheeks. Lots of us have seen scenarios like this one. Your incredulous attitude doesn't make sense.

I find this happens a lot on shared pavements/ cycleways. A group of 3 will walk towards you, if you gave way you would be in danger from cyclists on the cycle side. I have taught my grandaughter to stick to the inside when people are heading towards us and I walk behind her so anyone coming towards us have to walk in single file or choose to potentially walk in front of a cycle. My grandaughter determinedly sticks to this !!! People are just not aware really. Some single elderly gentlemen are lovely though and will move right out of the way when there is no need to.

YANBU
Some people behave as if having a child is a free pass to holding everyone up whenever they like. They think having a child gives them additional privileges and as if no one else has ever had a kid or may even, ( and just imagine this ...) , have needs that are greater than this of them and /or their kid.
E.g. those who will not put a child on their lap to make way for someone who needs a wheelchair space on public transport.

There are so many examples of this that it makes me want t lie on the floor and kick off like a toddler myself.

IME having babies or small children makes a parents world suddenly revolve around their kids - not themselves and certainly not anyone else. And there's nothing wrong with that, babies are special and only stay little a very short time.

Melrose, my kids are special, to me. They are long past the baby stage but they are still just as special, to me. My world revolves around my kids, that does not give me a free pass to ignore everyone else and allow my kids to take up entire footpaths tho. Just because my kids are older does not mean a baby's needs are more important or special than theirs or anybody else's.