Leaving unattended children outside shops

[Amy Jade]

Went to Morrisons and there was a baby in a pram outside the card shop next door screaming and a child (no more than 4) holding the pram. I never got involved but two women were asking where his mum was and he must have said in the shop and one woman went inside and the other stayed with the kids.

I never saw what happened but they were fuming and I kind of understood but I also felt bad for the mum :worry:

Do you think the older women were interfering or right to approach the children?

[glibberglobber]

right cause they could have been kidnapped

[Matthew.]

i think that the women were in the right to go and find out why they had been left outside. 4 years old and being left outside the shop with a younger sibling, that’s proper not on though

[Alf]

Most women used to leave their babies in the pram outside the shop. Unthinkable now isn't it.

[Matthew.]

Most women used to leave their babies in the pram outside the shop. Unthinkable now isn't it.

because we’re more aware of the dangers nowadays

[Alf]

because we’re more aware of the dangers nowadaysI'm sure their could be a few reasons. I'd say the break up of communities is one reason.

[Matthew.]

i mean the mum could have had a justified reason to leave her kids outside in the shop, but I would say as a general rule, when they are 4 and younger, it’s not on

[Eddie.]

Yeah the two women did the right thing, imagine all the possible scenarios if they hadn’t, especially in the society we live in now...

Maybe if it was an older child attending to the pram and the baby (12 y/o) I think it would be acceptable...

[Matthew.]

I'm sure their could be a few reasons. I'd say the break up of communities is one reason.

this also, but i would say that because Amy said it was a Morrisons’s, that it’s probably in a busy town/city? although I could be wrong, because i live in a small town and we have a co op, but most supermarkets are in larger towns

[Barry.]

I agree. Why leave a four year old with a baby? Something could of happened.

[Cherie]

Playing devils advocate, the card shop might not have the space for a pram, but maybe she had eyes on them all the time, our local bakery is like that, no room for prams so they are left outside but parents can see them through the glass, if the card shop could accommodate the pram then thats a different issue

[Amy Jade]

It was on a retail park sort of thing. It had a pretty big Morrisons, a card shop, chippy, Home Bargains etc

[Amy Jade]

Playing devils advocate, the card shop might not have the space for a pram, but maybe she had eyes on them all the time, our local bakery is like that, no room for prams so they are left outside but parents can see them through the glass, if the card shop could accommodate the pram then thats a different issue

I have seen people go round it with prams and in motor scooters before to be fair...

[user104658]

Outside a local shop in a village or whatever I'd say no younger than 7. Outside a supermarket / in a busy town / retail park etc. I'd say definitely no younger than 10 or 11... and even then only if they're sensible for their age.

[Daniel-X]

Undeniably wrong. Idk how people still do this after what happened to James Bulger. It wasn’t his mum’s fault at all, because it was common back then. But the whole horrific situation wouldn’t have occurred was he not left outside. Surely everyone knows of the case? Idk how people think it’s acceptable after the JB case.

[Cherie]

I have seen people go round it with prams and in motor scooters before to be fair...

in that case no excuse then, they should be with her/him

[reece(:]

Children certainly NOT

Animals tied to a lead I don't like either

There was a dog tied to a loose shopping trolley the other day ...

[Alf]

Children certainly NOT

Animals tied to a lead I don't like either

There was a dog tied to a loose shopping trolley the other day ...You should have untied it and took the trolly back to get the pound.

[rusticgal]

No excuse...retail park or not it was irresponsible. If the card shop was on a retail park then the premises would almost certainly be big enough to allow prams/pushchairs in.

[Beso]

Well, you know....


I feel sorry for the mum, and all mums who can now NOT leave kids for 5 mins........


If only we had paedo hunters hunting down scum

[LukeB]

Playing devils advocate, the card shop might not have the space for a pram, but maybe she had eyes on them all the time, our local bakery is like that, no room for prams so they are left outside but parents can see them through the glass, if the card shop could accommodate the pram then thats a different issue

That’s still wrong, you could always take the child out of the pram and take them in and keep an eye on the pram, a child isn’t going to make that pram more safer, i would rather lose a pram than a child and i’m sure everyone would. No room for prams is not good enough when you can take the child out of it.

[user104658]

If only we had paedo hunters hunting down scum

Yes, people organising stings against perverts trying to groom and meet up with teenage girls online would DEFINITELY help to stop random child snatchings outside of shops.

[Eddie.]

Yeah the James Bulger case was just SICK.

[Cherie]

That’s still wrong, you could always take the child out of the pram and take them in and keep an eye on the pram, a child isn’t going to make that pram more safer

Thats easy to say if the baby has just gone off to sleep and you are exhausted and you are watching them from the door way, the bakery doesnt hold 5 people so parents are steps away with the door open

[Beso]

Yes, people organising stings against perverts trying to groom and meet up with teenage girls online would DEFINITELY help to stop random child snatchings outside of shops.

Tell me....whats changed since 1982ish when mums could and would leave prams outside shops?


T'net feeding addiction maybe?
Influx of foriegners maybe?

[LukeB]

Thats easy to say if the baby has just gone off to sleep and you are exhausted and you are watching them from the door way, the bakery doesnt hold 5 people so parents are steps away with the door open

If thats the case go another day or go with someone so another adult can be with the baby, it’s that simple. There’s no good excuse for leaving a child/baby outside on their own, children especially cause they could run into a road :umm2:

[Vanessa]

It's way too dangerous. They could run to the road or get kidnapped. :shocked:

[Beso]

If thats the case go another day or go with someone so another adult can be with the baby, it’s that simple. There’s no good excuse for leaving a child/baby outside on their own, children especially cause they could run into a road :umm2:

Oh yes
..wait another day to feed your hungry child....at least then the pram alarm will be more alert.....how daft is that.

[Beso]

It's way too dangerous. They could run to the road or get kidnapped. :shocked:

So dont live a normal life cause the dubious amongst us have won.:nono::nono:

[Ross.]

Animals tied to a lead I don't like either

There was a dog tied to a loose shopping trolley the other day ...

I HATE this

I know it’s unavoidable for some people but still

[Beso]

If thats the case go another day or go with someone so another adult can be with the baby, it’s that simple. There’s no good excuse for leaving a child/baby outside on their own, children especially cause they could run into a road :umm2:

Oh yes
..wait another day to feed your hungry child....at least then the pram alarm will be more alert.....how daft is that.

[Northern Monkey]

If it’s like Cherie says and you can see then it’s slightly better but still if you turn round to look at something or you’re paying then you can’t be watching them all the time.It may not take long for them to disappear or there could be a road nearby.
I think it’s wrong tbh.Just not worth the risk at all.

[Vanessa]

If it’s like Cherie says and you can see then it’s slightly better but still if you turn round to look at something or you’re paying then you can’t be watching them all the time.It may not take long for them to disappear or there could be a road nearby.
I think it’s wrong tbh.Just not worth the risk at all.

It's fine if its an older child. But a four year old? 'no waY.

[Northern Monkey]

It's fine if its an older child. But a four year old? 'no waY.

Yeah deffo too young.

[rusticgal]

It's like many things in life...would you leave your child in a car whilst you ran into a shop?....those decisions however safe they SHOULD be, if the worse case scenario happens you would never forgive yourself for leaving your child vulnerable to those vile people that lurk amongst us.
It's just not worth the risk...

[Vicky.]

Undeniably wrong. Idk how people still do this after what happened to James Bulger. It wasn’t his mum’s fault at all, because it was common back then. But the whole horrific situation wouldn’t have occurred was he not left outside. Surely everyone knows of the case? Idk how people think it’s acceptable after the JB case.

AFAIK this is not what happened, she did not leave him alone, she just took her eyes off him for a few seconds. She did not purposely leave him anywhere

As for the OP, clearly wrong. Especially with a 4 year old. Like, we have left James outside when he was maybe 1 and in a buggy..with his 13 year old brother on occasion, but not with a 4 year old.

[Beso]

It's like many things in life...would you leave your child in a car whilst you ran into a shop?....those decisions however safe they SHOULD be, if the worse case scenario happens you would never forgive yourself for leaving your child vulnerable to those vile people that lurk amongst us.
It's just not worth the risk...

My nephew..little sisters boy was left asleep as his dad pooped into get the pub takings....2 mins...car gone...luckily the thief turned around...saw him...and ditched the car a mile away....he was found in the end....the thief....no police called....WHATS THE POINT......rest assured he isnt pinching cars anymore.

[LukeB]

Oh yes
..wait another day to feed your hungry child....at least then the pram alarm will be more alert.....how daft is that.

Then go to another place that would fit a pram, it's that simple.

[Northern Monkey]

I know how hard it is with a pushchair in tiny shops with swinging doors and on busses etc.It’s a struggle.I’ve dealt with it loads and its even harder for women but you’re honestly better either struggling in with the pushchair or taking the baby out.
You can’t trust everyone.There’s too many wierdos about these days.

[Beso]

Then go to another place that would fit a pram, it's that simple.

If you live in a city.....what if you dont though....


More to the point, WHY THE **** SHOULD OUR WAY OF LIFE BE SO ****ED UP?

[user104658]

My nephew..little sisters boy was left asleep as his dad pooped into get the pub takings.....

His dad did WHAT? :umm2:

[Kazanne]

AFAIK this is not what happened, she did not leave him alone, she just took her eyes off him for a few seconds. She did not purposely leave him anywhere

As for the OP, clearly wrong. Especially with a 4 year old. Like, we have left James outside when he was maybe 1 and in a buggy..with his 13 year old brother on occasion, but not with a 4 year old.

This is true Vicky,she let go of his hand while she paid for meat.

[Beso]

His dad did WHAT? :umm2:

Popped 5 yards into the pub to collect the takings...pub in jocks lodge...edinburgh....

L

[user104658]

Popped 5 yards into the pub to collect the takings...pub in jocks lodge...edinburgh....

L

Oh I thought you said he pooped in the pub's takings. I was horrified. I mean getting the notes clean would be bad enough, but imagine having to dig through the pound coins :bawling:

[Marsh.]

Always happens at work.

There was a cashier once who spent a lot of her shifts sitting with kids outside whilst their useless dad's were pissing about on the machines.

[Marsh.]

Oh yes
..wait another day to feed your hungry child....at least then the pram alarm will be more alert.....how daft is that.

Or don't feed your child from the bakery and add to the obesity epidemic.

:nono:

[Marsh.]

If you live in a city.....what if you dont though....


More to the point, WHY THE **** SHOULD OUR WAY OF LIFE BE SO ****ED UP?

So "****ED UP" that this imaginary bakery is now this imaginary mother and child's only way of eating?

[Redway]

Or don't feed your child from the bakery and add to the obesity epidemic.

:nono:

I don't think discrimination against chubby babies is allowed on here

[GoldHeart]

Most women used to leave their babies in the pram outside the shop. Unthinkable now isn't it.

Well back then people didn't think twice or worry as much as times were different , same goes for leaving kids on their own, leaving them in cars and letting them answer the door to strangers .

It's irresponsible to leave such young children outside a shop especially now when we hear such horror stories :facepalm: . and it only takes a second for something bad to happen :nono: .

[user104658]

Well back then people didn't think twice or worry as much as times were different , same goes for leaving kids on their own, leaving them in cars and letting them answer the door to strangers .

It's irresponsible to leave such young children outside a shop especially now when we hear such horror stories :facepalm: . and it only takes a second for something bad to happen :nono: .Statistically though kids really weren't much safer "back then" that they are now... It's just that the horror stories from all over the world get around fast, making something that IS still very, very rare (child abduction) seem more common than it is.

I mean, I do "get it" to be fair. My daughter (8) plays out with her friends a lot, and I don't give it a second thought now, but it took me a while to get used to it and accept that her playing outside with her friends is statistically much, much safer than a whole host of things. E.g. A child is actually at much more risk every single time you take them on a car journey than they are playing outdoors, or even waiting outside a shop.

[Tom4784]

I'm sure their could be a few reasons. I'd say the break up of communities is one reason.

Vioence and predators aren't a new phenomenon, it's just that people pay more attention to it then they used to.

[Alf]

Vioence and predators aren't a new phenomenon, it's just that people pay more attention to it then they used to.And drugs also cause paranoia.

Like I said, there are many reasons how we got to the point we have.

[Tom4784]

And drugs also cause paranoia.

Like I said, there are many reasons how we got to the point we have.

Most of it comes from the simple fact that we acknowledge these things now when they were brushed under the table a few decades ago.

[user104658]

I do think there are probably more "Scary Looking People" in town centres than there were say 40 years ago, lots of addicts around etc., but that's more a perceived risk than an actual risk. In reality, the vast, vast majority of those "dodgy people", even the ones totally out of it on various substances, would absolutely never even think of harming a child in any way. Might try to chat to them and accidentally scare them but that's about it.

[Crimson Dynamo]

happened all the time back in the day

id just have ignored it and walked on

[GoldHeart]

Statistically though kids really weren't much safer "back then" that they are now... It's just that the horror stories from all over the world get around fast, making something that IS still very, very rare (child abduction) seem more common than it is.

I mean, I do "get it" to be fair. My daughter (8) plays out with her friends a lot, and I don't give it a second thought now, but it took me a while to get used to it and accept that her playing outside with her friends is statistically much, much safer than a whole host of things. E.g. A child is actually at much more risk every single time you take them on a car journey than they are playing outdoors, or even waiting outside a shop.

I never said they were safer back then but people didn't see it as much of a problem , I assume we're talking pre 1980's ? Kids played out more ,I suppose it was seen as a good thing as they were exercising and getting fresh air ,things have changed today where they're mostly cooped inside playing video games .

Or when they do go out they have to be careful and more aware of their surroundings.

But there's definitely more dangerous risks today or so it seems.