In thinking its a bit sad when a young child is out with a parent/carer who

[Jahan]

is having a really long chat on their phone. I've seen this quite a few times when in the park or out on the street. I'm not talking about a serious conversation but just light hearted chatter.
Yesterday I saw someone in the park who spent almost half an hour chatting on their phone. Its almost like they feel its too boring just to spend time with the child.
I always feel sorry for the child. Maybe I'm too sensitive.

me too & remember MN isnt real.just a bunch o blethering women.switch off and switch off

5/10 for effort.

You only forgot "I feel sad that they aren't as well bonded as my children and I".

helicopter parenting is v unhealthy imo.

or you could have added "wonder if she was a working mum/formula feeding mum/has a childminder mum/private school educating mum/home educating mum/fruit shoot loving mum" phew that would pretty much insult everyone then

I didn't really mean to insult anyone.

I think Jahan has probably got the message that EVERYONE thinks she's being unreasonable, leave her alone now eh?

Jahan, I think I can see where you're coming from, I feel bad when I do stuff like this at times, even though sometimes it's a) unavoidable b) fun c) not premeditated but turns into a mammoth conversation.

You were there, you saw it, you're entitled to your opinion

Jahan - are you a sahm or wohm?
i think, if youre sahm, 24/7 not a lot else goes on in life for you anymore sort of mum, then a half hour conversations while child is not beheading itself or wandering into busy road is utterly understandable and to be welcomed and enjoyed.
if you spend less time with your dc, and poss feel guilty about this (as most mothers feel guilty for something at almost all times) then i can understand wantin g to be focussed on the child in question all the time youre with them.

also, if your chil is less than 3 or 4 moths old, i can also understand the naivete with which you view other parents in the park at this point. it'll come with time, no doubt; a more rounded view of life.

Thank you namechange.

I get this is a wind up(?) again but why?

I was about to say that I'd be at the other side of the park reading my book and I might even nip out for a cig.
What is so wrong about not playing with your kid when they're at the park with other kids

Jahan - I feel sorry that I am jumping into this late as I would agree with you!

It seems a pity to take a lo to a park and then not join in the fun

Talking on a phone and ignoring a child is just as bad as ignoring a friend when you both go out to lunch surely. A quick chat and goodbye is entirely different to this 2yo watching his mum witter on endlessly

My DD1 goes to a martial arts class once a week and there is a mum there who brings along her DD2 who is only 2yrs old and for the whole hour she totally ignores this little girl.
She will spend ages chatting to her friend or if she is not there, has the phone glued to her ear.
Once i sat near her and all she was talking about was how demanding her DD2 was.
The little girl was not THAT demanding that i could see.
She just wanted some interaction and for her mum to play with her, because she really smiled when her mum just looked at her.
Anyway, my 3yr old DD2 keeps her amused now so at least she gets to play a bit.

i don't give ds much attention when we are out cos he is off playing/looking at things/jabbering away to himself. it's only if he says something directly to me that i respond. is that ignoring him?