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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Toddler loves watching diggers and building sites - AIBU to let him?

120 replies

Jean24601Valjean · 05/10/2023 11:49

This may be a really stupid question but DS absolutely loves diggers etc. We can't go past a building site or other type of workmen activity without him asking to stop and watch. Sometimes I say no if we are in a rush but otherwise I often stop so he can watch for a bit. Sometimes it is clear that the workmen are happy with this e.g. if they wave or say hello to him. But other times it's not clear and I wonder if I'm being unreasonable. Like, what other jobs is it OK for a small child you don't know to sit and watch you do it? On the one hand I think it's nice because he obviously thinks what they are doing is the coolest thing ever but on the other hand I feel like it might come off as intrusive. Am I overthinking this or am I being unreasonable by stopping to watch? Of course I could ask to see if they mind but that's not always possible and if I'm honest I feel a bit silly doing so. I don't want to interrupt their work!

OP posts:
WandaWonder · 05/10/2023 11:51

If you are in an area the public is allowed to be then yes you are way overthinking this

AperolWhore · 05/10/2023 11:51

Definitely not BU, my daughter loves this too. Occasionally when I don’t want to do anything too busy, I pack a car picnic and drive to a construction site so we can park up and sit and watch them. She absolutely loves it.

Octavia64 · 05/10/2023 11:51

Stopping to watch building sites is fun!
Absolutely no need to ask.

Octavia64 · 05/10/2023 11:52

Also -

www.diggerland.com

jacksonspring · 05/10/2023 11:52

Honestly part of me thinks it might be instructive for some workmen to find out what it feels like to have women staring at them and making them uncomfortable (if it does), rather than the other way around.

But unless they’re acting hostile, my guess would be in general they don’t care or may not even have noticed.

TeaKitten · 05/10/2023 11:54

You are really overthinking this. It’s absolutely fine.

StillTryingtoBuy · 05/10/2023 11:54

You will be one of many parents / carers plus toddler stopping to do the exact same thing that day - completely normal, keep doing it.

Circumferences · 05/10/2023 11:55

I really hope this is not an unreasonable thing to do!

I raised my son in London, and there were often huge building projects going on locally, our favourite thing to do when he was in his pram was to "park up" watching the diggers, dumper trucks and scaffolders etc while I ate a bag of crisps or whatever. We'd just sit there and chill, chatting about the builders and trucks "ooh look at that one!"

He's now 8 and we've moved out of London but he has carried a strong passion and fascination for engineering throughout his early years! He loves building (and demolishing).

Strawberrywalnutcake · 05/10/2023 11:55

My ds was like this. No harm in watching a site for a bit.

My ds is 13 now but was very happy on holiday this year to spot some busy cranes near our accommodation!

Crunchingleaf · 05/10/2023 11:55

Honestly, those workers would be well used to the excitement and fascination that a digger brings out of many toddlers. You are completely over thinking this. They know the child is fascinated by the digger.
My toddler is obsessed with tractors and cows. We have to stop and admire every tractor that passes. Usually driver gives him a little wave.

Circumferences · 05/10/2023 11:56

AperolWhore · 05/10/2023 11:51

Definitely not BU, my daughter loves this too. Occasionally when I don’t want to do anything too busy, I pack a car picnic and drive to a construction site so we can park up and sit and watch them. She absolutely loves it.

That's so cool 😂

Needmorelego · 05/10/2023 11:56

This is something toddlers are required to do by law.
Also shout "LOOK A FIRE ENGINE" if they see one.
It's what toddlers do.

LivingDeadGirlUK · 05/10/2023 11:57

I work in the construction industry and wish my son was into this stuff but alas no! If your in a public space then absolutly no harm in it at all.

JollyJellyCat · 05/10/2023 11:57

Ds nursery has a building site next door atm. Poor builders have their every move observed.

I always stop at a building site for ds, the only exception being if I think they are demolishing something likely to have asbestos in.

We are also regular visitors to the tractor sales yard.

Bluevelvetsofa · 05/10/2023 11:58

How are they to learn about things if they don’t see them happening.

A few months ago, I saw a toddler with his dad, fascinated at a big red fire engine that went down the road. He waved madly and when the engine came back, they waved back and put the horn on for him. He was beside himself with excitement. Such a simple, but lovely thing to do. Made his day.

NotMeNoNo · 05/10/2023 11:59

As long as you are watching from a safe place it should be fine. Have you got that book "Dig, dig, digging'" it explains all the different types of machines.

MontblancTheSecond · 05/10/2023 11:59

Might have voted wrong here, I voted Yabu cause you are way overthinking this. Let your toddler watch!

Isittimeformynapyet · 05/10/2023 12:00

MontblancTheSecond · 05/10/2023 11:59

Might have voted wrong here, I voted Yabu cause you are way overthinking this. Let your toddler watch!

You can change your vote.

FloydPepper · 05/10/2023 12:00

Bluevelvetsofa · 05/10/2023 11:58

How are they to learn about things if they don’t see them happening.

A few months ago, I saw a toddler with his dad, fascinated at a big red fire engine that went down the road. He waved madly and when the engine came back, they waved back and put the horn on for him. He was beside himself with excitement. Such a simple, but lovely thing to do. Made his day.

My twins when aged about 5 spotted a fire engine in a car park so of course we had to go and look. The firemen let them up
into the cab for a look around.

Best Day Ever apparently

MargotBamborough · 05/10/2023 12:00

You can't go on to an actual construction site without permission and PPE. I'm guessing you know that. So assuming that what you are actually doing is standing in a public place and watching what is happening on and around the site, that is completely fine. I'm guessing that everyone who works on a construction site, particularly operating diggers and so on, has seen many many toddlers doing exactly this. It's fine!

AnotherNameNow · 05/10/2023 12:01

Lots of toddlers do this, watching diggers in the road was a great day out for DS1! Also lorries, bin men etc..

The people you're watching probably had the same fascination as your little one when they were kids. Surely they get it!

EaudeJavel · 05/10/2023 12:02

as above, there's a reason why diggerland is so popular!

DIggers, rubbish truck, firetrucks... Toddlers can be fascinated by many things. It's cute.

SherbetDips · 05/10/2023 12:02

cant see a problem as long as your not in the way and in a safe position. During the third lockdown I was nannying for a 3 year old in Notting hill and we spent hours watching the diggers on portobello road. They knew him by name in the end. Lol

RichardArmitagesWife · 05/10/2023 12:03

Be thankful it's only building sites!

I can't tell you the number of hours spent watching bin lorries, the crusher at the tip, road resurfacing works (he was 3 when they did the local streets).

When I was out without him and a bin lorry went by, the guys working used to shout hello to me because we'd become such a familiar sight, taking up strategic viewing points along the route.

Then there was taking a picnic to the bridge over the railway station to watch trains coming in and out for the afternoon.

BananaPyjamaLlama · 05/10/2023 12:03

I would just stop and watch - no harm in it.
Get him this book, he will love it.
Dig Dig Digging (Awesome Engines) : Mayo, Margaret, Ayliffe, Alex: Amazon.co.uk: Books