The week that Mike was out of town, I took the Boys to McDonald's for dinner. It was too hot to cook, it had a playground and there were going to be friends there from MOMS club. So I figured, why not, beats eating alone. What a total nightmare. No one wanted to eat, they just wanted to get down and play. Plus it is really hard to steer a double stroller and carry a food tray at the same time. I wasn't aware that the "playground" was really just a bunch of slides and tubes that little kids could get into, but not really easy for adults to access either. So once Luke got "in" there, there was no way for me to get him out until he came down one of the slides. All Gavin wanted to do was follow Luke, and there was NO way I was letting him up there. So I finally decided that I had all the "fun" I could handle for one night and told Luke we were leaving. He of course tried to quickly climb back into the PlayPlace. So I get him by the hand, I have Gavin in the other arm, and I am trying to get Luke to get down. Not working. So I have to put Gavin down, so that I can get Luke out. Gavin takes off running and heads straight for the door…which is an automatic door and opens right up for him to escape. I dart after him with Luke "under my arm" and scoop him up just in time. Into the stroller everyone goes. I say good-bye to one of my MOM friends on my way out (she was talking to another mom who was there but not part of MOMS club). I tell my friend that we are headed out and that I have had all the fun I can handle. The mystery mom says "Great job keeping your cool. I was going to help, but then I thought 'mind your own business', so great job." I say "thanks. I didn't feel that 'cool', but thanks."
I didn't think much about it at the time. All I could think was "Dear God, get me out of here in one piece." But on the way home, I started thinking. This woman was going to let my 13 month old child walk out the door because she didn't want to interfere. I mean, it wasn't like I was ignoring my children, I just had my hands full. And an extra hand would have been nice. (I'm still a firm believer that you should grow another arm and pair of eyes every time you have a child, but that is another post). Are we so worried about overstepping, that would would let possible harm come to a child? I know I wouldn't. In fact, I have parented other peoples children at the playground when I saw a bunch of them pushing each other while trying to climb the ladder to the slide. I didn't discipline them, just said, "One at a time, and NO pushing!" So when do we step in? When would you?
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
I have been astonished by the number of people who have not stopped Cameron darting away from me... like the 10 or so people who didn't stop him on his way to the crosswalk at the Grafton Farmer's Market while I am running full speed yelling "Cameron Stop!" Hello - child heading for the road!
unbelievable.
I stop kids all the time and I don't even have any! I have body blocked a strange child on more than one occasion. Are you kidding me?! I say any child going anywhere at full speed without an adult 12 inches or less behind them is fair game. And seriously, how difficult is it for another adult (esp. one with free hands) to simply STEP IN FRONT OF AND BLOCK A CHILD RUNNING OUT THE DOOR! I probably would have said something nasty, but then again, you are way cooler than I am.
I stepped in at a BBQ when a little boy was trying to lift a toddler up around his neck and it was choking him. He was just trying to love him, but the toddler was REALLY not breathing. Totally red-faced, tears streaming down his face, and no sound coming out of his open mouth. It was scary! Everyone was just looking at them and saying "No!" while looking around for the mom. I stood there for a second, shocked, but then rushed over, Maya in tow, and wrenched them apart. By that time the Dad had seen what was happening and came running over. But that little toddler was seriously in danger, and everyone was just not sure how to discipline the little boy (because he wasn't doing it to be mean). It was crazy. Step in if there is a dangerous situation!
Also, reading your post TOTALLY reminds me of going to eat at Ikea. Finn sees the toys and just wants to play, and not eat (the cafeteria and toys are right next to each other). It's usually a disaster with Finn wanting to steal an armful of stuffed cats, or something. Ugh.
Post a Comment