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Original poster

Was this unfair?

17 replies

joelalie · 05/06/2006 11:54

DH and I took the children to an outdoor pool yesterday. As well as the pools it has a wet area with fountains, a wet slide, and various other water spouts. The floor is covered in antislip flooring and kids love it. Yesterday there were obviously lots of children of all ages there including several bigger ones There was a couple of mums with 3 little ones – the eldest about 3 I suppose. Both of them were sitting down watching whilst all three children played. One older boy of about 10 was running and knocked their little girl over – she screamed, he hung around and tried to help the little girl up, obviously upset that he’d hurt her. The mum got up, charged over and shouted really loudly at this boy that he was ‘a stupid little boy’, grabbed her child and stormed off. Now whilst I appreciate that she had had a fright, was it really fair to get angry with the boy, especially as he hadn’t just run off and left the child crying. It was a play area for all ages, children can’t really be expected to play calmly in a place like that and accidents do happen. I was quite sorry for the boy as he looked really upset and he was clearly not used to strangers shouting at him. I felt quite bristly about it for a while afterwards.

If she really didn’t want anything to happen to her toddler shouldn’t she have stayed with her all the time. Alternatively, and this would be my way, allow her to do her own thing, under supervision, and accept that minor accidents of this sort happen. WWYHD?

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 05/06/2006 11:57

yes, that was totally uncalled for on her part. he was expressing remorse, he was trying to help, it was an accident. then he gets the message not to bother next time b/c he'll just get shouted down.

cow.

i'd have called her on it, too.

Lio · 05/06/2006 12:00

Something similar happened to us and I told ds and the person who bumped into him that it was OK, it was just an accident, and luckily it was OK because ds was more shocked/upset than hurt.

Jimjamskeepingoffvaxthreads · 05/06/2006 12:05

utterly ridiculous. I can only assume she was a PFB. She should keep her in the paddling pool at home away from other children. . Was the 10 year old OK? I know 10 year olds who would be upset at being shouted at publically like that.

Serendippity · 05/06/2006 12:17

Absoltly terrible, poor kid was trying to help her back up as well. Perhaps if he had just run off laughing it would be slightly different, tho i don't think she should have called him "a stupid boy" whatever the circumstances he was 10 ffs Angry

NotQuiteCockney · 05/06/2006 12:24

I'm with everyone else, the shouting mum wasn't really being sensible.

(What's a PFB?)

Jimjamskeepingoffvaxthreads · 05/06/2006 12:31

Precious First Born. Copyright of Twiglett I think

Original poster
joelalie · 05/06/2006 12:33

I thought the 'little boy' bit was a bit much as well. In fact I assumed first of all that she knew him. Perhaps I should have called her a 'stupid old cow' to see how she liked it. But I didn't. Coward that I am.

Yes the boy was quite upset. If it had been my lad he'd have been totally devastated. He stood around at the edge of the play area looking very uncomfortable for ages afterwards. Wanted to go up and give him a hug - but I think he'd have preferred being called a little boy!! Grin

OP posts:
Jimjamskeepingoffvaxthreads · 05/06/2006 12:35

I suspect most 10 year old would have been really. I would have loved to have said something in that sort of situation but doubt I would have.

Bozza · 05/06/2006 13:03

I reckon it sounds like a guilty reaction because she wasn't watching her DD closely enough. so she lashed out. Poor lad.

Bomper · 05/06/2006 13:54

Whereabouts do you live Jolalie? It's just that we have an outdoor pool near us that sounds very similar!! BTW, the woman sounds like an old cow!!

Twiglett · 05/06/2006 13:58

poor kid .. I'd have gone over and very loudly praised his reaction to the accident and tell him that his parents would be proud of him .. silly old cow

crazydazy · 05/06/2006 13:59

No wouldn't have shouted at him but would have shouted at anyone who shouted at my kids!!!!

See Bomper - I am deffo following you Grin

Original poster
joelalie · 05/06/2006 14:06

Bomper - the pool is in Street in Somerset. Is that the one you were thinking of? Smile

OP posts:
Bomper · 05/06/2006 14:19

Unfortunately no - I am miles away. What a shame it would have been nice to have a fellow mumsnetter so close by!! As for you Crazydazy - leave me alone woman!!!! Grin Wink

2shoes · 05/06/2006 14:30

what a horrible womanShock

sunnydelight · 05/06/2006 19:50

How horrible. As the mother of three with quite a big age range it really pisses me off that mums of little ones don't realise that ....... they will grow up Shock When my eldest was 10 (and even now at the grand age of 12) I know he would be devestated if someone shouted at him like that, especially if he had hurt someone by accident.

SOULGIRL · 05/06/2006 20:17

Noooo how could she DO that, poor lad - if he hadnt give a damn & had run off he would never have got a pasting (3 guesses for what he will do if it happens again)

I can still remember very clearly the first time a toddler stood on mine PFB (whilst it DOES make you catch your breath in horror if you are a well balanced mummy you realise that it wont be long until your babe is the boisterous toddler!!)

Even clearer is the 1st time my toddler knocked over someone elses babe!!!!!

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