To leave 3yo in park whilst going to the loo?

[DoormatBob]

Not sure if this is an AIBU or more WWYD but was at a rural touristy attraction. When we arrived both DD (3, nearly 4) and me needed the loo. DD went then refused to wait for me and ran out to the play area (toilets were within the play area but not staffed/ticketed).

I told her to wait but she said no and was off, told me she was going on the slides as she legged it away! We've been there before so she knows where she's going.

I had to go to the loo and therefore she played in the park for 2 minutes unsupervised.

AIBU
YES - i should have got her back and made her stay with me.
NO - she is OK for 2 mins, she knows where I am.

What would others do? She is very independent and confident but it's just the safety aspect.

She needs reins.

@HarrisMcCoo well OPs actions could’ve had serious consequences

YABU. Even though it's fairly unlikely someone would have taken her she could have wandered off, fallen, or someone could have noticed she was alone and created a fuss.

Though if it makes you feel any better, I'm a single parent and throughout the pandemic I left my children in the car at the pump to go into the shop when I needed bread and milk because people frowned upon children being in shops at the time. Something that is apparently akin to child neglect on here.

I'm not going to say YABU because it's happened, it was a one off and lesson learned (from the fact that it's still on your mind and unsettles you). I would be the same. Don't let it happen again even if you have to keep one hand on the lock while you use the loo.

She was fine, don't let it play on your mind anymore. I hate post event anxiety!

No, just no.

[quote Rivermonsters]@HarrisMcCoo well OPs actions could’ve had serious consequences[/quote]
I think he realises this after all posters responding. I don't take risks with mine but that's because of the additional needs aspect. I have always been over cautious though😬

Just never do it again.

The Sun have done a article about this thread!

www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/16116533/mumsnet-playground-mum/ it's not what I do op but just to let you know its in the paper.

They've got the sex of the parent wrong, so great journalism there!

Wow, what!? That’s totally negligent. Bloody hell, you were lucky.

The "journalist" clearly only read the first few posts - not even all the OP's posts.

@HarrisMcCoo

I agree, unlikely to do it again. No one is perfect, we have all effed up on occasion at parenting.

Except he does this often. This is just the latest. She's been left in the car alone from 2 while he quickly nips in for stuff.

Like I said earlier. Nonsense threads on here all the time now.
Just click bait.

Says it all about the standard of journalism

DD is not a flight risk and walks perfectly well holding hands or on her own all the time.

You can't know what a child of that age might suddenly decide to do - you didn't expect her to run out of the toilet, after all.

Also, possible danger to DD should be in your mind - in this case, stranger danger or injury to her on the play equipment.

I'm glad you're taking notice of what's been said here.

@knobblykneesandturnedouttoes

Did she wash her hands?

He's a man, what does he care?

She is very independent and confident

What does that have to do with anything? That's you making excuses for a child that doesn't do what she's told.

She could have wandered off or been abducted in those few minutes.

You need to teach your child to come back when she’s called.

This has made the press. Just seen it when scrolling through fb

YABU sorry.

I've just started letting my 7 year old go into a cubicle in the toilets alone while I'm either in the one next to her or watching and waiting for her to come out.

And I'm now starting to trust her to ride/walk/run ahead of me when we go out but if she goes out of sight she comes back and holds my hand.

At almost 4 I still used a pushchair for trips to big parks like you describe.

DD is not a flight risk and walks perfectly well holding hands or on her own all the time.

Except she is, as she ran away from the toilet!

Good grief. No. VABVU.

@Bananarama21

*www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/16116533/mumsnet-playground-mum/* it's not what I do op but just to let you know its in the paper.

So NOT a journalist! 🙈

@NoWordForFluffy

DD is not a flight risk and walks perfectly well holding hands or on her own all the time.

Except she is, as she ran away from the toilet!

Precisely

YABU....anything could happen. A stupid unnecessary risk. At that age she should be able to follow your instructions too.