Sorry about this, but I’m going to have to get on my soapbox here for a bit. I don’t like it, but it really really bugs me. Like I said before I’m not perfect but everyone has some pet peeves. If you have a good rant and I like it, I’ll put it up here.
Now let me set the scene. The Little Mama, Little Mister and I had just finished some shopping at the local Target. It wasn’t quite dinner time yet, and the Little Mister had some energy to burn before we hit the Taco Bell. Lucky for us, there is nice little playground in the same little shopping center. This playground has many different restaurants, and shops nearby(including and Amy's Ice Cream!) During the summer there is a little sprinkler thing for the kids to play in, as well as an area that they have little concerts at as well. It’s a nice little place.
For those of you who don’t know, The Little Mama is just over 8 months pregnant. You could say she’s not as active as she use to be. She found the most comfortable rock she could and popped a squat while Jake and I went to play.
I’m not arguing that parents should hover over their kids. Not even in the slightest. I hover a little right now because my son is 2. There are a few things on the play ground he has problems with because of his size. I would rather give him a helping hand under the butt than let him fall 3 feet. That’s just me. Plus he can’t really hold his own yet against some of the kid 3 times his size, but that’s another part in this series.
Well Jake and I are having a grand ole time. Little Mama’s watching and smiling from the sidelines when a kid (about 6-7 yrs old) wipes out 3 feet from her. When I say wipe out, I mean lands face first into a rock next to her. There is blood. There is crying. Possibly has a chipped tooth. This is promptly followed by my beautiful pregnant wife, visibly uncomfortably squatting to console this poor child while looking around for a parent.
This poor kid mom was inside eating with her friends.
What The Heck!?!
Yeah the kid got hurt. It's sad but let’s face the facts. Kids are going to get hurt. It’s a fact of life.
The part that bothers me is she wasn't even near the playground. Her child wasn't a priority. She a couldn't even see a corner of the playground from her table. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think that’s right. Maybe I’m just over protective. I’ve let Jake fall. I’ve made him pick himself up and dust himself off. I’ve had some other parents ask me how I could be so "mean." So no, I don’t think I'm over protective at all.
Maybe it’s because I read the news. Maybe it’s because I remember why John Walsh does what he does. Or that I remember why that Amber Alert system is in place. That scares me more than a chipped tooth ever could.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
My wife and I raised four children. They are all adults now. I don't think we were over protective. But we NEVER would have let our seven year old play unsupervised in a park. We liked to be there even when they were older, a lot older. Now that three of them are quite proficient in martial arts we aren't quite so concerned. But being our age, we are glad they are watching our backs! (And somehow they think they should look after us!)
ReplyDelete