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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

737 replies

DoormatBob · 11/09/2021 21:55

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.

OP posts:
HonoreDeBallsache · 12/09/2021 20:30

[quote WorraLiberty]@HonoreDeBallsache what other DD?[/quote]
Sorry. I read "DD 3, nearly 4" to mean the OP had two DDs, one aged 3 and one aged nearly 4. Obviously this is not what she meant. That being the case, I agree with you.

StrawberryJamSandwiches · 12/09/2021 20:32

Wow, no way. Nothing bad happened this time but I seriously would never chance this. Way too young.

GettingItOutThere · 12/09/2021 20:54

no way on this planet!!

no way.

Nonicknamesforcatapillars · 12/09/2021 20:58

Not at 3 no. It only takes a second anything could happen. 3 year olds don’t have much of a concept of danger.

5 or 6 plus, yeah ok, but 3, absolutely not.

whynotwhatknot · 12/09/2021 21:04

From what ive seen fro the other threads this isnt the first time and his parenting sounds very lax

Fetchthevet · 12/09/2021 21:09

@whynotwhatknot

From what ive seen fro the other threads this isnt the first time and his parenting sounds very lax
Or he's making it up and just enjoys having lots of women telling him off ...
lyntheyresexpeople · 12/09/2021 23:52

This is in the sun now Hmm

Dostayhere · 13/09/2021 07:28

No because three year olds don't get to choose what they want, because they're 3!

Mummyrowland · 13/09/2021 08:43

On daily mail now

Furries · 13/09/2021 09:05

In the daily mail now. Comprehension not their best skill, the can’t even get the sex of the OP correct!

Original poster
DoormatBob · 13/09/2021 09:12

I'm glad I've been misgendered (reduces chance of me being outed!). I was going to name change for this but didn't want to get accused of being a troll. I still got accused of being a troll!

OP posts:
rhowton · 13/09/2021 10:12

I'm a really relaxed parent and generally give my almost 4DD a lot of freedom, but I would have brought her back in the cubicle with me and told her off for running away.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 13/09/2021 10:18

Meant to comment on the first page, which was when I voted, and then saw this in the Mirror! Shock

Hilarious that they assumed you were a Mum.

I think you knew all along that it was wrong for her to be allowed to bolt - I’d have held them in the cubicle at that age I think, or if she had managed to get away, I’d have had to give her the consequence of going straight home as it’s so dangerous and she needs to know it.

I know it’s difficult when you really need a wee.

You’re very reasonable in all your posts and have admitted you were completely in the wrong to let her out of your sight, so I don’t think it’s worth everyone having a pop.

PinniGig · 13/09/2021 10:21

@Furries

In the daily mail now. Comprehension not their best skill, the can’t even get the sex of the OP correct!
Daily Mail articles should start with a big heavy "oh fuck me here we go" kind of sigh cos you know what's coming.
Mymapuddlington · 13/09/2021 10:26

I think you made a mistake, knew it was a mistake and panicked. Thankfully no harm done.
I think it’s horrible that as her dad you don’t feel able to discipline her. I would talk to her about safety and how she has to listen to you or you won’t take her again.
If needed, raise your voice or hold onto her.

ellyeth · 13/09/2021 17:32

If I was desperate, I would go to the loo. But, having been, I would then collect my little girl and, for not doing what I had asked, would say we are going home.

IntermittentParps · 13/09/2021 17:33

as a 37yo male physically restraining feels awful when the act of leaving the cubicle wasn't itself immediately dangerous.
What does your age have to do with it? Confused And as a parent of a small child you HAVE to restrain them sometimes. Or at least hold the cubicle door shut.
And of course the act of leaving the cubicle was immediately dangerous; it meant she got out and made for the park and God knows what might have happened to her.
YABU and you need to parent your child adequately.

AlbusSeverusMalfoy · 13/09/2021 17:34

Think you might of made my local news fb page. They still think you're a woman though ...

To leave 3yo in park whilst going to the loo?
reighn · 13/09/2021 17:35

NEVER would of done that. Takes 2 seconds for a weirdo to notice your not with your child and take her. That was wrong on very many levels.

Carriecakes80 · 13/09/2021 17:35

Never in a million years would my 3 yr old be unsupervised for 30 seconds, let alone while I used the loo...if you can't manage to take her in with you, you wait until you get home Like many others have to!

I was with my four yr old when he fell from the top of a slide once, it takes seconds for someone to grab them, seconds for them to get hurt...have you thought about maybe taking parenting classes as if you have to ask this, maybe there are many other answers you need to find out. x

Thisisnotreallymyname · 13/09/2021 17:35

Who is the adult ? What do you mean she refused to stay ? Erm MAKE her stay ! Making a lovely rod for your own back in the future.

Yogalola · 13/09/2021 17:37

Never ever leave any child unsupervised in a public area, anything could happen. If you think your children are liable to run off, invest in reins for safety

csigeek · 13/09/2021 17:37

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Carpedimum · 13/09/2021 17:38

Absolutely not. Straight back home as well with an explanation that there’s no playing in the park until they do as they’re told.

Chant353 · 13/09/2021 17:39

9 times out of 10 it’s usually fine, but I wouldn’t chance it!