Since when are we not allowed to talk to the children?

LannieDuck

The Mum was probably scared when she realised she didn't know where her LO was, and took it out on you. That doesn't excuse it tho.

victory

amyloofoo wrote: »

How rude!

On the one hand, I think a lot of parents have ridiculously over the top fears regarding stranger danger... particularly given recent events in the news - so being wary of someone they don't know talking to a child is understandable. However, if she was that concerned, clearly she should be keeping a closer eye on where her child is?

Stressed or not, there's no excuse for being so rude and unpleasant - she's not showing her child a good example :eek:

But according to her I am in the wrong and showing her child the worst there is in a human being:eek:

Blackpool_Saver

the parent should tell the child not to talk to strangers

victory

zepsgal wrote: »

Not even to ask the child where there parents are? Are they lost?

It's a ridiculous situation when you can't talk to a child without someone thinking you are a child abductor! Bloody woman has a cheek saying anything to you, that child was out of her site for a good few minutes, where was her concern during that time??

That is where the conversation started, well the child came over all chatty and happy but I felt I should ask her where her mum was?

I have often been in a shop where the child is 2 aisles down from mum and I always stop and ask or if not ask keep an eye open until they are reunited, I would hope if my child was lost someone would do that for me?

System

I must admit, last weekend whilst i was shopping with my husband in the supermarket. A tiny tiny little girl (about 3) was sitting in her Mums trolley at the checkout fluttering her eyes at my hubby and trying to play 'peepo' round her Mummy who was standing indirectly in front of her.

'Hello, little girl' hubby said and she continued to play peepo behind her Mummy'. The Mum didnt seem concerned, she's got other children too and was loading the checkout but i found it uncomfortable.

'You really hadnt ought to talk to her' i told my husband. 'As parents we teach our children not to talk to speak to strangers and heres you, striking up a conversation with a child you dont know'.

He obviously hadnt thought about it the way i had and the Mummy didnt pass comment.

Such a shame though it has to be like that.

lilymay1

victory wrote: »

That is so wrong though, that you felt like that, how are our children to learn social skills, the art of conversation even if we close them down?

As for wandering off the little girl did says her mum knew? Could have been not quite true but say even worse if I had got up and taken the little girl back into the shop to 'look for her mum' I would have been arrested:eek:

I totally agree with you on the first point. To be honest, I wouldn't have been able to get a word in edgeways mind

If mum knew the little girl had wandered off then I would presume she felt guilty, or panicked when she saw her with you.

I'm not saying she is right in anyway. There is no need to be so rude or speak to someone with such nastiness. If you don't mind me asking, what age bracket do you fit into? I suppose, stereotypically, that would effect how people might react.

victory

zepsgal wrote: »

Not even to ask the child where there parents are? Are they lost?

It's a ridiculous situation when you can't talk to a child without someone thinking you are a child abductor! Bloody woman has a cheek saying anything to you, that child was out of her site for a good few minutes, where was her concern during that time??

Choosing a dress according to the little girl

peachyprice

victory wrote: »

I can't actually be a pedo though can I?

Why not?.........

Paddles

She's in the wrong, and how rude!!! I quite often talk to children, although I do usually have children with me when I'm out and about, so maybe that's why I've never been "told off".

My children are very chatty and quite often talk to people and much as I don't encoruage them to talk to strangers, I would never chastise the strangers for being polite enough to reply. If I was conerned I would wait until we were home and explain to my children (again) about stranger danger.

Honestly though, mostly I think it's quite nice that people take the time to reply to my little horrors

I agree with the social skills comment, it's just downright rude to ignore people and as a parent I would find it more hurtful if someone ignored my children when they were trying to talk to them, than if they didn't.

Acc72

Lucky you aren't a man - the mother would have organised a lynch mob ....

Seriously though, the current situation is very sad.

A while ago I was sat on the bus and the small child in the seat in front of me was stood on the chair facing me saying "hello" etc.

I just ignored the child and they looked at me in confusion as to why I didn't talk to them.

Others on the bus might have thought I was being weird, but it is better than innocently chatting back and people thinking something more sinister.

What a terrible state of affairs when an adult cannot just pass the time of day with people / a child and not be worried that others might think you are a weirdo, or worse.