To find this unacceptable?

[Substitutiarylocomotion]

I went to a wellbeing workshop aimed at adults but if you have a secondary school aged child who is mature and would be able to not disrupt the class then the info said to message the facilitator to discuss before buying the ticket, so a bit of flexibility there which felt nice.

So I organised childcare for my two v young children and went along. But, someone else brought their baby. I've no idea exactly how old, not a newborn but not mobile. They hadn't checked in advance or told anyone and basically refused to leave on the grounds that they had a ticket, didn't have childcare and so this was the best they could do. The facilitator was in this really awkward position, which wasn't the great start to what was meant to be a relaxing few hours. Also meant the workshop started late whilst they tried to resolve the situation. So some 20+ people spent an evening with a irritable infant who very much made their presence audibly known throughout the event.

It was awful. I left early as I just wasn't enjoying myself. I'm just amazed anyone would be so entitled?! I wanted to complain and ask for a refund as it was hardly the relaxing evening it was advertised to be, but felt too bad for the facilitator who it seemed was only really in charge of delivery and didn't have any back up. The part of workshop itself that I attended was really good, and the staff member did their best to work around the crying, but it wasn't ideal.

I'm just a bit flabbergasted it even happened. It's put me off going to further things with this company because that's just not how I want to spend my very rare evenings out!

AIBU to think this was unacceptable behaviour from the parent? I ask because she obviously didn't think so, and noone else on the workshop complained at the time, so maybe this is just something that happens and I shouldn't cut my nose of to spite my face and avoid further workshops. Maybe I just need to pack earplugs!

It was unacceptable behaviour.

You need to complain, because the facilitator should have stood their ground and not let the baby in. They need to know to do that for next time. It doesn't matter if the mother had a ticket, the rules were clear.

Unless you complain, this will keep happening when the chances turn up.

I’m with you, that’s completely ridiculous!

I'd complain so they they can amend their T&C's.

The facilitator should have said no. I would definitely complain, I have 2 young DCs and would never bring them to something like this.

It's down to the person running the course to refuse entry. She didn't so it ruined the course for everyone else. The mum didn't check the rules for some bizarre reason. She's going to have one hell of a shock if she expects to bring her baby to everything!

Definitely ask for a refund

YANBU.

I once attended a yoga class where someone had brought their husband and newborn baby who were sat in the corner of the studio the whole time and the yoga instructor was fine with it?! I never went again.

What an inconsiderate arsehole.

Phew thanks for the reassurance!

I was really angry, then had this lingering feeling of annoyance, but the nice part of my brain was worried I was being unkind/judgemental and should have been more accepting of a fellow parent also wanting a night out with limited options. The rest of my brain absolutely thinks she's a CF and the facilitator should have insisted she leave. To give credit they did try, but she was fully in, coat off etc by the time it was clocked and then she just point blank refused to leave. No security or anything so what could they do? Refuse to start the workshop? No skin off the mothers nose I guess as she was in a lose lose scenario.

Oh goodness!

Funny coincidence today I saw a sign on a yoga studio door which said 'apologies but children under the age of 14 are not permitted, this includes babies!'

So seems we're not alone!

This is really true. I've written an email in a 'constructive criticism' sort of tone and said I could see the class facilitator was doing their best but with no back up staff there she had limited options. It's already on the website and ticket etc, so at that point I'm not sure what else they can do other than tell the staff member she'd have full support of the company to be very sure of her decision to deny entry!

YANBU at all.

No, you shouldn’t have been “more accepting of a fellow parent also wanting a night out with limited options.” This was not an option that was available to that person, and she also made it incredibly difficult/uncomfortable for the facilitator and the other attendees.

Yanbu but the facilitator should have handled it better and I would be asking for a refund on that basis

Yes she should have refused to start the class until the woman left and explained exactly the reason why she was not starting, and that everyone else would be given refunds or the choice of attending a different class (except for cf parent)

Cf parent managed to ruin the event for everyone else with no consequences for herself

In that case they should have a better entry procedure ie checking everyone's ticket on the door and refusing entry there & then to anyone without a valid ticket (in this instance the baby!)