Being an un volunteer babysitter

[JanieB]

I have had a very stressful week and decided to take my dogs for a long stress free walk with a stop in the local on my way home.

In the last few months the most they have had is a walk round the block, not what I wanted or envisaged when I got them.

So I sat myself down in the pub next to a friend with a very welcome glass of wine. A couple I have a "hello" relationship sit near me.

Within a few minutes my two dogs are the centre of attention for their 5 year old son. So the parents move to another part of the pub leaving me and my dogs entertaining their son. He was I have to say absolutely delightful. But, I spend most of my week on my own in my house and the reason I go out is to have an adult conversation with someone. I have realised that if you have children with you, you are avoided by anyone else who hasn't got children with them. So the parents abnegation to the other side of the pub left me with only child conversation. I'm sorry but however how delightful,the child it was bl00dy rude of them to leave me in that situation.

[Scarlet]

Kids aren't offended if you tell them to go back to their parents.
If the family had sat over the other side of the pub when they first come in I have no doubt that the kid would have made a bee line for you and the dogs - So either way you would have had a little visitor.

[sparrow100]

Why didn't you take him back or send him back to his parents then? No one wants to leave their child with someone who doesn't want them. I imagine they thought you were both having a lovely time.

Hope you managed to relax and de-stress afterwards.

[bearded bloke]

So I sat myself down in the pub next to a friend with a very welcome glass of wine. A couple I have a "hello" relationship sit near me.

You should have asked your friend to tell the couple that you were uncomfortable being responsible for their children & that they should come & reclaim it.

[veggiechicken]

Was your friend there then? If not, maybe the parents thought you'd be happy to have someone to talk to, even if it was a child.
Cute dogs attract children, its inevitable. I have no rapport whatsoever with kids, except when they want to talk to my dogs. Then they're welcome. Often a child's conversation is more interesting than an adult's

[Sheneval]

See you lot haven't changed - still the wine of advice :-)

[Mikey]

I occasionally get drawn into conversations with random children when out and about with the dog. Some kids and adults for that matter have no inappropriate filter, what was the child doing in the bar? Is it a restaurant too?

I like children that don't ask odd questions like why are his ears brown? Or why are picking up his poo, do you keep it? I like my own child and a handful of others but on the whole prefer them to have a mental age above my own.

[Scarlet]

Shen it's lovely to see you back! How's the chess, those boys beating you yet?

Personally I love a chat and I'm not too bothered whether it's with a nipper or an oldie

[veggiechicken]

I'm grateful when anyone talks to me

[bearded bloke]

Yay Shen is in der house

[muddled]

I think there are limits.
Ihave three dogs and to be fair, most people are reluctant to approach them. The ridgeback is huge and the lurcher (who could easily catch a squirrel or a cat and can climb trees to do so) wears a muzzle.

I do feel though that a pub is a place primarily for grown ups and that here, if nowhere else, sprogs should be kept close and quiet.
And I speak as a mum.
A quick hello,
is your dog friendly?
Can my child stroke it?
Thanks, bye.
Much more interaction than that in a pub and I'd consider it rude.

[JanieB]

I'm grateful when anyone talks to me

Actually, so am I. Trouble was the friend I sat next to (and another who had joined us) left when it became obvious that the only way we were going to dislodge this child was to be rude.

I love my own children and grandchildren but I'm rather intolerant of children in general. I sometimes need adult conversation to counteract living on my own and the bilge on the TV. If I feel the need for children's conversation I can go and see the grandkids.

No it's not a restaurant. It's just my local. It was late afternoon and it has no choice but to be a "child friendly" pub as the landlord and his girlfriend have a 2 year old running round the bar.

Any way I'm off to the Welsh valleys today to see my youngest son.

[Nicos]

Funnily enough, having lived in France now for 7 years , I can now see this situation from another side!

How British !

Yup...how British to be intolerant of little people...here they are a major part of society and Included in so many more family/ social events.

At weddings, sleeping babies/ children are tucked under tables , or grouped together, when awake, picked up and talked to, or played with/ talked to, or left to their own devices wandering about freely knowing everyone is keeping a vague eye on them.
No one ever gets baby sitters...the kids go along too, near enough all the time, or go to sleepovers.

Yes, it did take a while to get used to going out for meals surrounded by kids...and needing to include them for return meals...but that is part of this society !

Happy kids are a joy to be around, interesting, and yes, can be noisy.....but you never know Janie...those few minutes with your dogs may mean that when they grow up, they may rescue/ take in a couple of abandoned dogs...take up a career with animals..donate to an animal charity...

All kids are at an influential age, and unknowingly you may well have done something very positive in their lives!

[Jeanied]

I remember popping into the pub with Veggiechicken - and with Rosie - and the locals said I could come in if I was on the lead!

[Mikey]

I remember popping into the pub with Veggiechicken - and with Rosie - and the locals said I could come in if I was on the lead!

Ah ha, how long have you been masquerading as a human?