Friend's taken baby to the beach today!

[ItsTheHumidity21]

I just seen my friend post a photo on social media of her and her baby at the beach. AIBU to think she is irresponsible for doing that? She's in a hotter part of the country in the south east. The beach actually looked empty in the background which you would think might have said something to her.

I guess I'm on the other extreme. I'm a worrier about my children (I have a toddler and baby) and we're inside with windows closed, curtains drawn, fans on, ice lollies out and Disney films on. Just makes me anxious and kind of angry that someone could do that to their baby.

I want to know how she’s carrying all this stuff to the beach with the baby! Parasol, cool box, paddling pool, baby……She’d need five arms (which is why I’m not a fan of the beach. By the time you’ve heaved all the stuff you need to make it even halfway comfortable on and set it up, it’s time to go home!!) 🤣🤣🤣

Seriously, there are sensible and stupid ways to be outside in this weather. We have no idea which she is doing, or what the alternative is. Taking a baby to beach sounds ludicrously hard work to me, but I’m not her.

“That someone could do that to their baby”

I take it you plan to never take your DC on holiday?

@MrsRobinsonsHandprints

Err, think that was actually over catastrophising by you!! I didn’t say lock yourself away! I said follow the advice on the news which was something about avoiding unnecessary travel etc etc. It’s a bit like Covid v’s the conspiracy theorists all over again. People thinking they know better than the experts, and not giving a flying f about extra burden on overstretched services/impact on other people!

We live between the uk and Middle East. I’m here in the uk currently and intend to take my toddler out later this afternoon, taking precautions such as shade/ water/ etc. when it’s 38-40 degrees in the Middle East we take similar precautions but we still go outside, we don’t stay in 24/7. She’s ways coped fine, just be sensible and stop being such a judgey drama queen.

She is stupid yes. Not only risk of sunburn for both of them but also heatstroke which can kill.

Was that the beach with a shade or the Serengeti?

I cannot believe the name calling on here.. calling someone a fucking idiot or brainless because they are doing something you wouldnt do is petty and ridiculous. You know nothing about this family's circumstances all you know is that this morning a mum took her child to a beach.

I think some people need to catch a grip

What of all the people on the beach in, say, Dubai?! When you go on holiday somewhere hot do you stay in??

the current temperature in Dubai is around 38/39c. I can assure you that the Dubai Nationals will not be outside (especially with toddlers in toe) in the midday heat. Expats/holidaymakers, who knows? Judging by this thread, they most likely will be 🙄.

The issue here is that people from the UK in general have little respect for the sun. Mainly as we rarely see these temperatures on our home turf.

Like a few other posters have mentioned those who live in very hot climates 35c+, rarely venture out between 11-am-4/5pm.

The issue here is that people from the UK in general have little respect for the sun. Mainly as we rarely see these temperatures on our home turf.

It was one picture.

But that's not how I read the Op.

The way I read the Op, was that she has decided to keep her children in all day, yet her friend has decided to go to the beach and is therefore an irresponsible parent.
My point is that provided you take necessary precautions, you dont need to stay indoors.

This is the problem with the Op, she is not providing any detail. So everyone is now jumping to the conclusion the friend is a terrible parent, has gone to the beach at midday and is letting the baby sunbathe in direct sun.

When the truth could just be, the friend went to the beach in the morning, and has now gone home for the hottest part of the day.

Yeh because it will be great fun in the rain lol. The advice is to keep baby out of direct sunlight. This can be from natural shade, a beach tent, a parasol or even a wide brimmed hat if they'll keep it on. It does not mean to hide inside in the dark ffs

With friends like you who needs enemies OP

Surely it's a lot cooler at the beach? It's always quite a few degrees cooler on the coast than it is inland here, plus a nice breeze and water to splash. Maybe her house gets super hot - I think I'd rather be at the beach with a breeze and cool water than inside a stuffy house that's 30-odd degrees personally. It's unlikely it's anywhere near 40 degrees on the coast.

If she's happy? if baby's happy? Whats the problem?

Ah well, it's a change from masks at least.

I went to the beach yesterday (South West) Forecast was 32° but it was only actually 23° right on the coast.

YABU and judgmental.

What do parents on the continent do? Keep kids indoors. I presume your friend has all the relevant items to protect her baby at the beach.

It's not particularly healthy to keep young kids and infants indoors in this heat watching tv. Toddlers and babies don't need sugary crap like ice lollies.

But the sun is still at it's highest/ strongest during the middle part of the day so even if it feels cooler by the sea, the uv will be very high. Which is probably why locals in other countries don't go to the beach then, as a pp said, just the tourists.

Taking a baby to a beach when it’s 38 degrees outside? Yeah she’s not only stupid she’s verging on neglectful. Even walking from the car into the air conditioned supermarket is a lot with a toddler in this weather. To purposely be staying outside with a baby? So dangerous.

But the sun is still at it's highest/ strongest during the middle part of the day so even if it feels cooler by the sea, the uv will be very high. Which is probably why locals in other countries don't go to the beach then, as a pp said, just the tourists.

Apart from friend being at the beach at some point today, what actually do you know about the trip?

Like how long she's been there? Or the whole shade thing? etc

@frasersmummy can I just reiterate that I didn't do any name calling

When it’s 38 degrees in other countries people do stay indoors actually. The UK looks like a land of idiots, again.

But it isn't 38 degrees across the whole country It's 26 here. It's probably very early 30s at most right on the coast, maybe even less. A PP is on SE coast and said it's 28 where she is.

So is the problem that it's too hot or that it's sunny? What is it we are bashing this woman for, just so I can get it straight Unless we know what her setup is, how long she was there, how hot it is at her house v being out, then it's a non-issue really.

Taking a baby to a beach when it’s 38 degrees outside? Yeah she’s not only stupid she’s verging on neglectful. Even walking from the car into the air conditioned supermarket is a lot with a toddler in this weather. To purposely be staying outside with a baby? So dangerous.

Hmm, you sound a bit sheltered tbh.

The op said it’s the hotter part of the country. Some people are just ignorant and don’t really understand what proper heat is like. Others just want to be controversial I guess. Pretty stupid considering the warnings.

But you also don't say 'please don't call my friend a fucking idiot.' You are lapping it up.