Am I a bad mum?

[dotingnewmum]

My 13 month old dd escaped from the house today and crawled out onto the pavement on the road outside. I had only left our ground floor flat for less than a minute to put the rubbish out and when I came back in the door was wide open. I was sure I closed the door behind me but it is an old door and sometimes the lock doesnt catch. She was nowhere to be seen so I ran out front calling her only to find a man and woman walking towards me with her, the man said sternly "she was crawling along the road" and looked at me like I was the worst mother in the world. Am i?

No. I once lost DS1 at Disneyland Paris - was too busy reading a magazine while he was playing in a park - looked up - he'd gone. Luckily, he was found by a kindly security guard who brought him back.

I don't know a single mum who doesn't have a horror story of temporarily losing their kids at some point or their kids getting out on a road or nearly being in a bad accident...usually through our own carelessness or lapse of attention or bad judgement- it's how we can all relate to Kate McCann in a sort of "there but for the grace of God.." way.

I would chalk it upto experience, count your lucky stars, do a silent prayer and accept it as a lesson learned!

No way. You're not able to foresee every danger. You're obviously quite vigilant. And nobody manages everything alone.

This couple obviously assumed you were neglectful. Let them assume what they like. YOu carry on looking after your DD.

Seconded Tryharder.It is awful when we do things like this,but we are all human,and make mistakes,as long as we learn by them theres no harm done.Thats what parenting is all about,learning,making mistakes and learning by it.

thanks everyone, im just feeling so bad about it. It makes me feel sick just thinking about what could've happened. I got the absolute fright of my life. dd seems no worse off! she normally cries if a stranger picks her up but strangely enough she didnt today! think she was enjoying her wee adventure!