That's telling her!

Of course her questions should be answered truthfully. I didn't suggest otherwise.

I agree this shouldn't have gone viral. It's never a good idea to exploit a child.

Anyway I've spent too long on GN so

She asked her mother if the queen was 'in charge' and her mother told her it was the Prime Minister, Theresa May. What is wrong with calling her Theresa May? Nobody says Mrs May

And are you suggesting that a 5-year old should not have her questions answered truthfulły merlor ? I can well imagine the discussion in the car on their way home about what she had seen and why.

Like many I'm not happy that this went viral, but apart from that I'm pleased she was sufficiently concerned to question her mother.

I don't think a five year old child should be encouraged to rant in a finger wagging way to the Prime Minister.

It's Mrs May to a small child, not Theresa.

Nothing wrong with a little respect and a few good manners no matter what her parent's think of TM's politics.

Here's the proof

If you fnd it hard to believe what she, and I, saw just read the link above.

POGS did you not read my post. I was in Leamington last week and the main shopping area was noticeably 'home' to many homeless people, in sleeping bags at midday, sleeping on the street. I counted at least 8 in five doorways. The Parade is perhaps 200 yards long? How many more were in the back streets I don't know.

Of course she didn't see 'millions' but she did see plenty, in broad daylight - enough I imagine to spark questions.

From Wikipedia.

The annual number of homeless households in England peaked in 2003-04 at 135,420 before falling to a low of 40,020 in 2009-10. In 2014-15, there were 54,430 homeless households, which was 60 per cent below the 2003-04 peak.[3]

In England, an average of 498 people sleep rough each night, with 248 of those in London.[4]

All governments have had this problem and I am neither sticking up for nor admonishing any political party as there are 'many' circumstances as to why we see street sleepers and homeless people.

I am surprised this little girl has seen 'millions at night' at 5 years old to be honest. I am uncomfortable talking about the child in the video to be honest so I will say no more about her as I see nothing more than a child . I am actually more interested in knowing more about the parents.

I will however say that adults who think that the use of a child to presumably promote ones own political agenda/persuasion is even more uncomfortable a thought to comprehend with.

You are making the assumption this was scripted. I don't think it was. There was too much passion and feeling there.

I reminded me of my GD after she spotted two girls leaving a hair dressers one with bright blue hair and the other with rainbow stripes. She waxed lyrically, judgementally and elequantly on their poor taste. Her eyes and hand gestures reminded me of this girl and yes, she is precocious and I love that about her.

Have the parents got her name down for Stage School?

Ghastly!

I really don't know what I think.
It's good to bring children up with a conscience but to be so angry at that age with no real knowledge of what is a very complicated subject is sad.
Maybe she'll grow up to be an even stroppier young lady or maybe she's on track to save the world.
I expect her parents spend a huge effort in aleiviating the street sleepers plight. Or not?

I have been subject to worse on many occasion merlot

As I tried to make clear in my followup Anyait is the parents I am cross with for encouraging her and making the video to post online.
Yes, I do know the meaning of the word precocious. But thank you for your reminder anyway.

We were amazed to find out that DGS (6) was voted a member of his school council. He has has some "interesting" childlike views of the world. He gives us a giggle sometimes. We do not however script him and make a video to post online.

Ana I can understand you saying that, but I also think it was very tempting to share tha video too.

Mums aren't always 'wise' re their offspring

I agree ana that the posting on social media is not appropriate. There are really 2 separate strands here. The FB aspect and the precocity of children with opinions!

Yes, that was rude.

But we don't need people rushing to HQ to report, there's too much of that going on, much better if we just say 'that's rude'.

Gillybob do you know the definition of precocious?

unusually advanced or mature in development, especially mental development

How can you disllike a child simply because she is mature for her years?

How rude to tell someone to 'wind their neck in' just for voicing an opinion.

I don't doubt it, but I do question the wisdom of posting the video.

Actually she was talking about the homeless she saw lining the streets in Leamngton Spa.

Anyone who walks along The Parade, the main street, would be shocked at the number of people sleeping rough, in doorways, in broad daylight. I took a visitor there only last week and she couldn't believe the situation.

This little lass asked her mother 'why' and as genuinely shocked by the thought that these people had to sleep outside, in full view of the public. My 5-yesr old GD is quite able to think for herself and express her views forcefully. I see n reason why some people can't understand that this is a genuine reaction.

BTW it is the parents I am cross with not the five year old child.

I will not wind my neck in DRAMAtictessa (note emphasis on drama).

I have a right to say exactly what I think. As has everyone else on these forums.

The child is precocious and I do not like precocious children especially not a five year old, who should not have opinions such as this thrust on her by her flag waving parents.

My DGD (8) was also very interested in WaterAid too mcem as they have just had a collection in Brownies. We talked at length about what it meant. We did not, however make a video of her political views and post it online.

How old was William Hague when he gave that awful speech?

Nobody in the world approves of homelessness. Any child could tell you that. Not impressed.

Yes, but would you (or rather, her mother) post such a video on Facebook?

It's one thing to be proud that your child is socially aware, but to display such a performance on a social media website is irresponsible IMO. Poor child.

How dismissive!
I believe intelligent youngsters do see what's happening around them and are entitled to express their views - naive though they might be.
My GD (6) was very interested in the current Wateraid ad and wanted to know why a little girl of the same age had to drink filthy water and why weren't we all doing something about. Not words put in her mouth by adults but a reaction to a siuation she'd been unaware of and about which she expressed her feelings.
When I was recently watching news coverage of TM's leadership the same child asked whether the queen or 'this new woman' was the boss!
I try to discuss issues with her at an appropriate level and am pleased that at this early age she she is showing awareness and is spotting inequalities and demanding explanations.
I'm quite sure that she'd have a lot to say on the subject of homelessness if confronted by it.

What starts as cute often crosses the line into something else due to the attention given to the child. And it's not the child's fault.