Every parent understands that while you’re out with your small children, it’s good to get a break from the universe. Yes, parenting is a difficult job, and it may brighten your day when things go well so you can have a pleasant time out. This appears to be why one mother recently asked a lady sitting alone at a café table whether she might sit there with her family whereas the lone woman could relocate to a smaller, non-shaded table. Read the story to know why she refused to move and what are your thoughts on this.
Source: Mumsnet
“So my wife and I (same-sex couple) are on holiday, we went for a walk this morning and ended up at a tea room. We walked in with our dogs and nabbed the last picnic table. Behind our table was a 2m empty gap where the entrance wall/archway was (this is important). My wife went in to order.”
Then the mum with a sleeping baby in her pram, and a toddler by her side, came in to hunt for a place to sit.
“She asked if I could move tables so she could sit with her toddler and baby, as her husband was inside ordering. I said my wife is inside ordering, it’s not just me here.
“She asked how many of us were there. I said it’s me, my wife and my dogs under the table (asleep).”
But the mum wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“She asked again if there are four of us and only two of you, it would be really helpful because the baby is asleep and I can put the buggy behind us in the gap and watch her. I said I’m really sorry but no this is a really nice spot that’s why we chose it.”
People began noticing the commotion, and an older couple a few tables down offered their table and said they would move to the two-seater.
“The mum said no, she specifically needs this table for the buggy to be out of the way and so she could sit and be next to the baby as she slept.”
But the woman wouldn’t accommodate the request, and shaking her head, the mum eventually left.
“My wife came back with the food, I told her what happened and she was chuffed that I stood my ground.
I was fuming that I was put in that position. Two childless women are pretty much invisible in society’s eyes and it really annoyed me. We are childless because of infertility and it stings to be thought of as unworthy of that experience because a mum and baby walked in and thought they had more of a right to that picnic table than us.
Later, in the comments, the woman clarified, “infertility is relevant because my wife is recovering from a miscarriage, and having it shoved in your face that a mum and baby is more deserving of a picnic table than you really hurts.”
