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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:
TomorrowsPrincess · 13/09/2021 17:39

It's not even about the age of the child. A predator will snatch any child if they see them unattended...... and you'll never see your child again. I'd have run after her with my pants round my ankles if I had to!!

LoisLane66 · 13/09/2021 17:41

Ñoooooooooooooooo

Mumontour85 · 13/09/2021 17:41

Independent and confident she may be... but she still wouldn't be able to hold her own if someone had wanted to snatch her or cause her harm...

I personally think you are bonkers for taking the risk.

Idontwannadance1 · 13/09/2021 17:41

I’m genuinely surprised you have to ask! It honestly takes seconds for a child to get hurt or even be snatched. I genuinely don’t want to upset you but it’s got to be no. You would never forgive yourself if anything had happened to her. Even 2 minutes it far too long.

Ash2956 · 13/09/2021 17:41

This must be a wind up. No one would leave a 3 year old unattended.

Thisgroupneverceasestoamazeme · 13/09/2021 17:42

I get where you’re coming from OP. As someone who also struggles with bladder issues, when you gotta go, you gotta go! It sounds as though you know this wasn’t ideal and you didn’t just leave your child in the play area or give them permission to go off alone! Try not to beat yourself up about it and think about what you’d say to a friend in the same situation and apply it to yourself.

I imagine all the people giving you a hard time on this thread are text book perfect parents who’d never allow themselves to get in a sticky situation as parents ever 🙄

Overtired201984 · 13/09/2021 17:43

No chance , I’d rather run out with my trousers round my ankles than let my child out my sight (he’s 2) too many weirdos about these days.

Kittysummer · 13/09/2021 17:43

Are you seriously a mother?

Jeannie88 · 13/09/2021 17:44

Never out of sight at that age, they are way too small and can easily be picked up by someone.

Thomasina79 · 13/09/2021 17:46

Weidoes and perverts are on the look out all the time for parental lapses like this. Too many children have lost their lives and I think we all need to be super vigilant all the time. I was with mine who are adult now and I am super careful with my grandaughter aged two and a half.

GreyhoundG1rl · 13/09/2021 17:47

@Kittysummer

Are you seriously a mother?
No, he's a father 🤦‍♀️ Read the bloody thread.
kelassa · 13/09/2021 17:48

Sorry to say I agree with everyone else. 3 is far too young imo to be let out of your sight.

danni92 · 13/09/2021 17:49

Bloody hell 🤦🏻‍♀️

Anastar23 · 13/09/2021 17:52

Absolutely not… shall we start a list of children that have been snatched?!

GoodnightGrandma · 13/09/2021 17:52

I see that this thread has been taken by the DM as a ‘story’.

Mummabug18 · 13/09/2021 17:55

I would have rather p*ssed myself than let my 3yo leave!!

sobby · 13/09/2021 17:56

I am sorry but a three year old can't run off like that for safety issues . I'm sure it was a very difficult situation for you to be in .

I would have explained to her after the incident how unsafe her behaviour was and taken her straight home.

Before a bect visit to the park I would also have a chat about listening to mummy at all times as she needs to be kept safe and then repeat if it happens again she will be taken home straight away and not be allowed to play in the park .

Personally I would go one step further if it was my child and say that if she runs off again then she will have to wear reins to the park so that she can be keep her safe .

TheSpiral · 13/09/2021 17:57

@GoodnightGrandma

I see that this thread has been taken by the DM as a ‘story’.
I see they didn’t even read enough of the thread to find out the parent was a dad not a mum.
me4real · 13/09/2021 17:57

YABVU. I know it's hard to keep hold of them but that is a little child, not much more than a toddler.

Nettie1964 · 13/09/2021 17:57

No no no just no. I think your 3 yr old is in charge not you. I would have taken her home immediately. Take her into the cubicle with you.

yasmin0147 · 13/09/2021 18:00

Your lucky she wasn’t snatched, I wouldn’t have risked it

PamelaEwing · 13/09/2021 18:01

OMG this had to be a wind up? Shock

leavesthataregreen · 13/09/2021 18:02

Next time, lock them in the cubicle with you. But we've all made mistakes like that in the past. She's fine. Don't dwell on it.

MollyMinniesMum · 13/09/2021 18:02

This is how children get abducted / run over absolute no no

Proudofmynane · 13/09/2021 18:02

Yep!! Foot under the door till I came out every time!!

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