To not allow my 9 year old to go to the shop in his pyjamas?

[MyKindHiker]

Question is that really.

Will give some more context though as I’m really annoyed!

Husband and I are on hols with our two boys 8 and 9 in a place we come a lot. Safe small village, house we stay at has a little village shop round the corner the kids are allowed to go to alone from time to time to buy a drink or lolly as a holiday treat.

This year we have friends with us - single dad and his 2 daughters, 5 and 9.

Last night about 8 I’d got all the kids ready for bed, bathed and in pyjamas and watching a movie. Grownups were in front of the house (garden is on the front) having a glass of wine.

I caught my eldest having pinched some money from the house, with the elder girl, trying to sneak off to go to the shop. I said absolutely not - it was too late, we don’t walk round the street in our pyjamas, they didn’t need to be getting sugar, we don’t steal money from the house! To my mind eldest son was trying it on to impress his mate, absolute no. Anyway son then threw a strop and took himself off to bed (too bad, boundaries), but then the girls cried because I was being strict and they have never seen me be firm like that before and basically BOTH DADS thought I was being unreasonable! That I should have let two 9 year olds go to a shop at 8 at night, walking through a crowd of drinkers outside the local pub, both in pyjamas, the girl in a vest and pyjama shorts.

I think the dads just wanted a quiet life and to enjoy their sundowners in peace and if they let the kids do whatever they want so be it.

They both think I was too harsh and should chill out on holiday.

Tell me I’m not going crazy mumsnet… would you all let your kids go to a shop in their pyjamas?!

You are on holiday so can relax pyjama rules.

I don't let DS go out in pyjamas, the only time has been in the car when we've gone to pick DH up from the station and it was almost bedtime but he wasn't getting out of the car.
In this context though I think people are saying they wouldn't be bothered because the other things take priority rather than their children are all wandering about in pyjamas

You did the right thing. As a pp said, I'd be very concerned If I saw them. I'd wonder if they were being neglected and as I firmly believe that when it comes to children it's better to report and be wrong than do nothing and be right, I would probably have called the cops.

If I saw children out alone in their pyjamas I'd think 'shit parents'

You are absolutely right on all fronts.

I’ve got a 9 year old. I’d be furious at the stealing and sneaking out. I think it’s shocking the dads weren’t that bothered. On the pyjama point, I’d not be keen but it would pale into insignificance compared to the other two issues.

So many lazy fucking parents prioritising alcohol over their children. That’s what that was about. They didn’t want to do any parenting, it was their me time with their cheeky beer/ Prosecco/ rosé/ cocktail.

Our mums used to take us in a group to Butlins every Whitsunday or around that time for a few days. They had a great laugh themselves but managed this without drinking their own body weight in alcohol. Now it would be unusual not to.

If I was looking for vulnerable kids to target, the ones wandering down the road in their pjs on their own while their parents were drinking back at the house would probably be top of my list.