Hi I dont want to be shot down in flames here as I am writing this thread due to genuine concern and not because I am interfering or saying my parental style is any better than my friends.
Basically I have 2 very good friends who I see on a regular basis due to our children being the same age and the fact that they are good company. They have a one year old daughter (2 in Dec)who is their only child at present. They dote on this child, however I am a little concerned about the fact that the other evening after going out for a meal-they allowed their daughter to run up and down a pavement attached to a main road on a cold, dark, drizzly night not just for a few seconds but for the entire length of the road with cars whizzing past( it was a 50 mph road ). This was due to the child not wanting to go in the pram, be carried or to hold her parents hand. It frightend me and my husband but I decided not to say anything although I kept a close eye on her. But my husband who is a man of few words or who wouldnt dream of interfering actually turned to the child and said ''....... Hold your mums hand this road is dangerous! My friend then made a grab for her hand but the child started crying so was soon allowed to run up and down the pavement. My friend then turned to me and said I bet the neighbours will have something to say to this about this but tough! Afterwards I asked my husband why he made the comment and he says its up to individuals how they raise their children but he didnt want to see the child hurt or killed on the road and he felt he had to say something. This does tend to happen frequently and it leaves me frightened and wary that the child is going to get hurt! Am I being unreasonable to think they should take more control with their daughter on roads.