I've just posted a long reply to an old thread but maybe I'm better starting a new one...
What if the toddler asks to sit on a man's lap? I don't have kids so don't know the rules! I'll explain...
I went camping alone and on the first night met 3 couples and their kids, everyone was friendly and they made me hot dogs etc.
The following day a toddler and his sister came over to my tent (about 20/30 meters away, the mum knew they were with me after thinking she'd lost them, I called out to say they were ok) and sat and chatted and the boy started climbing my knees while I was in my chair. His sister said "he wants to sit on your lap" so....I let him. Why wouldn't I? I'm not a nasty man!
A few minutes later 2 brothers came over, a bit older and asked if they could go in my tent. I said "it's very boring but if you want" again, why wouldn't I? I'd say the same to any other human on the planet! The tent door was open. It was daylight 10 am!
One of the dad's came over and said they needed to go with him, at the time I thought he was getting them out of my hair but I've since been called a predator and a pedo.
It's really messed with my head. So I just say no to kids asking things like that? That's not who I am and I don't want to change being a caring person because of what others think. If I say ask your parents it could sound like I've asked if they can.
I think the parents shouldn't have let the kids come sit with me or at least told their kids not to ask "strangers" such questions (I say strangers as I'd only met the people the day before)
What if the toddler asks to sit on a man's lap? I don't have kids so don't know the rules! I'll explain...
I went camping alone and on the first night met 3 couples and their kids, everyone was friendly and they made me hot dogs etc.
The following day a toddler and his sister came over to my tent (about 20/30 meters away, the mum knew they were with me after thinking she'd lost them, I called out to say they were ok) and sat and chatted and the boy started climbing my knees while I was in my chair. His sister said "he wants to sit on your lap" so....I let him. Why wouldn't I? I'm not a nasty man!
A few minutes later 2 brothers came over, a bit older and asked if they could go in my tent. I said "it's very boring but if you want" again, why wouldn't I? I'd say the same to any other human on the planet! The tent door was open. It was daylight 10 am!
One of the dad's came over and said they needed to go with him, at the time I thought he was getting them out of my hair but I've since been called a predator and a pedo.
It's really messed with my head. So I just say no to kids asking things like that? That's not who I am and I don't want to change being a caring person because of what others think. If I say ask your parents it could sound like I've asked if they can.
I think the parents shouldn't have let the kids come sit with me or at least told their kids not to ask "strangers" such questions (I say strangers as I'd only met the people the day before)