Issue with friend's toddler

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Toddlers are toddlers.

DH is an adult who could have prevented this but did not. He let the child play with the keys without considering the consequences.

How is the DH more responsible than the toddler's parents (who also saw the toddler with the keys)?

According to the parents, they saw the child put the keys back in the bag.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To clarify, my friend saw her toddler with the keys AFTER DH did. So he wasn't the last adult to see her with them.

Also, DH didn't take them from her at the time because he was chasing after our own toddler who was running toward a ledge nearby. So because DH was watching both and they weren't watching even just their own, we're on the hook?

I definitely agree that DH should have done more and I'm annoyed that he didn't. But I also feel like the toddler's parents should have done more -- I mean, in the end, we're responsible for our kids. Second, what really annoys me is that the parents seem completely unwilling to entertain even the possibility that the keys might be lost because their kid was playing with them, and therefore, they have any responsibility for the fact that they're lost.

Replacing them is going to cost literally hundreds of dollars.

WTF were you and the girl's parents doing such that your DH was watching the girl swipe keys and your son fall off a ledge w/o any help?

Sounds like a lack of awareness and supervision on everyone's parts and you're the one who got stuck paying for it. Learn a lesson and be more aware when you are out with a toddler.

[Anonymous]

Yes, OP, you are "on the hook" because they are your belongings. The toddler was just, well, being a toddler. And yes, your friend could have done a better job intervening, but you and your DH need to take responsibility for your belongings rather placing the blame elsewhere.

FWIW, I would totally be annoyed as well - of course it sucks to lose keys.

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm sorry that your keys are missing. Yes, that is a huge hassle.

But you have an "issue" with a toddler???? For playing with your keys? For crying out loud.

Your issue is with your DH. Who saw this very young child playing with your personal possessions. And did absolutely nothing.

[Anonymous]

It is not the other parents' responsibility. They're your keys.

[Anonymous]

Agree with pp

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To clarify, my friend saw her toddler with the keys AFTER DH did. So he wasn't the last adult to see her with them.

Also, DH didn't take them from her at the time because he was chasing after our own toddler who was running toward a ledge nearby. So because DH was watching both and they weren't watching even just their own, we're on the hook?

I definitely agree that DH should have done more and I'm annoyed that he didn't. But I also feel like the toddler's parents should have done more -- I mean, in the end, we're responsible for our kids. Second, what really annoys me is that the parents seem completely unwilling to entertain even the possibility that the keys might be lost because their kid was playing with them, and therefore, they have any responsibility for the fact that they're lost.

Replacing them is going to cost literally hundreds of dollars.

WTF were you and the girl's parents doing such that your DH was watching the girl swipe keys and your son fall off a ledge w/o any help?
Sounds like a lack of awareness and supervision on everyone's parts and you're the one who got stuck paying for it. Learn a lesson and be more aware when you are out with a toddler.

THIS! The three adults were talking and clearly ignoring the situation

[Anonymous]

OP, I get you are more annoyed with your friend than their baby (although your choice for thread title makes it seem otherwise), but I have to agree with pps...anything that is expensive/important/going to be a pain to replace or find/etc., needs to be out of reach of any and all toddlers.

These things happen. Your DH should have honestly checked for the keys before you left, if you had no idea the little girl was playing with them. If you did, and you didn't check, then it's also on you. Either way, the other mom isn't "on the hook", as she watched her kid put them back. I would personally be annoyed if you wanted me to drag my butt back to the park for something that wasn't my fault. I would feel bad my kid maybe had a hand in loosing your keys, but hey-they were right there to be played with!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not trying to be snarky, but if the toddler had already taken the keys twice, why didn't your DH move the diaper bag out of reach or put the keys in his pocket?

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To clarify, my friend saw her toddler with the keys AFTER DH did. So he wasn't the last adult to see her with them.

Also, DH didn't take them from her at the time because he was chasing after our own toddler who was running toward a ledge nearby. So because DH was watching both and they weren't watching even just their own, we're on the hook?

I definitely agree that DH should have done more and I'm annoyed that he didn't. But I also feel like the toddler's parents should have done more -- I mean, in the end, we're responsible for our kids. Second, what really annoys me is that the parents seem completely unwilling to entertain even the possibility that the keys might be lost because their kid was playing with them, and therefore, they have any responsibility for the fact that they're lost.

Replacing them is going to cost literally hundreds of dollars.

If you are going to act this way your DH needs to "literally" act like a child was running around with several hundred dollars worth of your belongings.

[Anonymous]

It seems you are trying really hard not to start an argument with DH. He was wrong. He should have handed you the keys or he should have put them in his pocket.

You now have to suck up the cost. Lesson learned.

[Anonymous]

I always get annoyed when my DS unpacks the diaper bag in the morning and eats all the snacks while I'm showering or getting dressed or whatever- and then I rush around trying to repack everything. And then I say, "oh yes, I was the one who left the diaper bag in his reach."

[Anonymous]

While I agree you have to take better care of your things and put things out of reach of little children, it seems to me it is also the toddler's parents. I have a toddler (almost 2y) and if she was touching other's people stuff I would take it away from her, give it back or put it back and apologize. And every time she went back for it I would say "no" and remove her if posible. If it was friend's things I old ask them to put it out of reach, but ultimately, the responsibility to make sure my child didn't touch other's belongings it's mine. That is not hypothetical - intuitions like that have happened many times in the past year.

Op, I think you shoul be annoyed at the parents and ask them to please watch their child better next time and don't let him touch our stuff.

I am also mildly amused at the majority of answers here... Would you people really not take responsibility for your children's actions just and expect the other people around you to "move their things?" that explains A LOT about these bratty teens we see everyday. Entitled pople.

[Anonymous]

So did you try going back to the park? Your keys are almost certainly sitting either (a) exactly where they fell or (b) hanging off a post or tree very close by where someone put them so you'd find them.

Keys don't just evaporate. Go back and get them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While I agree you have to take better care of your things and put things out of reach of little children, it seems to me it is also the toddler's parents. I have a toddler (almost 2y) and if she was touching other's people stuff I would take it away from her, give it back or put it back and apologize. And every time she went back for it I would say "no" and remove her if possible. If it was friend's things I old ask them to put it out of reach, but ultimately, the responsibility to make sure my child didn't touch other's belongings it's mine. That is not hypothetical - intuitions like that have happened many times in the past year.

Op, I think you should be annoyed at the parents and ask them to please watch their child better next time and don't let him touch our stuff.

I am also mildly amused at the majority of answers here... Would you people really not take responsibility for your children's actions just and expect the other people around you to "move their things?" that explains A LOT about these bratty teens we see everyday. Entitled people.

I agree with all of this. I would be annoyed with both DH and the other parents.