Troubled by something I saw the other morning in Arlington

[loves2read]

I am one of those kinds of people--or used to be--telling kids being obnoxious in the movies to be quiet and sit down, telling kids in ToysRUs to stop playing with the toys and running around...finding lost kids in stores...scared my husband to death b/cuz he was afraid of what the parents' response would be (rarely thankful)...
And you are right --
parents who let kids get into situations where they need "finding" or "chiding" aren't going to thank you for your help cause they either 1 have no sense of shame or don't want to be reminded they failed or 2 they don't really care that much about their kids...

most of what they do and say is lip=service that allows THEM to do what they want vs really do the job of being a parent...

but those kids--you might be surprised....
my daughter taught at elementary school in AISD that had high % of low income kids...
she got to school around 715 in the AM and in winter that is dark still...not so much this early in school year...and there were always kids there...most of them walked...
there were always kids there before the school opened...waiting for the free breakfast...
most of the time they weren't dressed for the weather if it was cold and they certainly didn't have rain coats and rain boots if it was raining...

I have come to the very harsh/Draconia/yes--Nazi-like belief that some people shouldn't (for a variety of reasons that don't agree with Hitler's philosophy) be allowed to have kids...
unfortunately I can't do anything about it...

[Squirl]

Originally Posted by Eric S

I thought about this... and it was really nagging at my conscience. I've got to be truthful: Whenever I see situations where kids are around unescorted and it seems very wrong to me, I feel that if I did or said something I would just be told to mind my own business. People are very particular about their kids, for better or for worse. Once back in New Jersey, there was this little kid (like 2 or 3 yo) running around in the street. Where was his mother? So me and the wife got the kid out of the street and back onto the sidewalk and looked around. After a couple of minutes, lo and behold, the mother appears around the corner, WAY down at the other end of the block - in no hurry. When she finally arrived, we told her that we had to get her kid out of the street. The response that we received was very snippy and not at all appreciative in the least . We just said to ourselves, "young mothers ." But, really, that is what I expect for intervening for any child in some of these areas where you see kids running around without supervision. I hate to generalize, but some areas seem as if it is anything goes... and if you say or do something, expect to get cursed (cussed?) out.

Very conflicted . I do honestly in my heart feel that all adults should bear some responsibility for all kids within our sphere of influence, not just our own. But this day and age, man, it just feels sort of hopeless because I really fear that the "no good deed goes unpunished" way of thinking has its roots in situaions like these.

-Old Man Simpson

I have paid the price in the past for intervening with other people's kids. Doesn't matter if I believe children are at risk. The safety of kids supercedes the repercussions of someone being unhappy with me.

[loves2read]

I agree with that Squirl--
but you can't fault Eric for not stopping his car and trying to catch those kids...
they would have run away from him in all likelihood if he had tried and that might have caused a worse outcome

You have to choose the way to intervene so that you don't exacerbate the problem...
and you can't always do what you would like to...

[Squirl]

Originally Posted by loves2read

I agree with that Squirl--
but you can't fault Eric for not stopping his car and trying to catch those kids...
they would have run away from him in all likelihood if he had tried and that might have caused a worse outcome

You have to choose the way to intervene so that you don't exacerbate the problem...
and you can't always do what you would like to...

Absolutely! That's why, if I were the OP and witnessed this again, I would call the police.....
I don't recommend approaching the children.

[Eric S]

Originally Posted by loves2read

but those kids--you might be surprised....
my daughter taught at elementary school in AISD that had high % of low income kids...
she got to school around 715 in the AM and in winter that is dark still...not so much this early in school year...and there were always kids there...most of them walked...
there were always kids there before the school opened...waiting for the free breakfast...
most of the time they weren't dressed for the weather if it was cold and they certainly didn't have rain coats and rain boots if it was raining...

Loves, that sounds kind of hopeful and kind of sad at the same time.

Originally Posted by loves2read

I have come to the very harsh/Draconia/yes--Nazi-like belief that some people shouldn't (for a variety of reasons that don't agree with Hitler's philosophy) be allowed to have kids...
unfortunately I can't do anything about it...

Yes, well, a sense of personal responsibility and an ability to be financially responsible comes much later in life than many of these parents have yet lived. Self determination, motivation for a better life, and confidence, actually, are somewhat lacking, too. It really is a shame. "...shouldn't be allowed to have kids..." Shouldn't allow themselves to have kids. A license to parent would be nice, yes? I think people should stop having "accidents" that end up becoming "lifestyle choices."

-OMS

[lonestar2007]

I would have called the police. At that hour they probably are heading into the station for shift change and more than likely there would have been a patrol in the area. You could have told them the direction the kids were heading and let them intercept the kids.

I would still call the cops and report it, even now, so they would be aware of it. Maybe it was just a one time thing (hopefully it was), but at least there will be a report on it and a reason for the cops to be paying attention to that area around that time.

There are so many dangers out there now that being hit by a car is only just one of them. I don't care how young the parents are, how poor they are, etc., they bring life into this world, they are responsible for it. So yes, I would have definitely called the police. An ounce of prevention could save a world of heartbreak.

[Texascrude]

Originally Posted by loves2read

I am one of those kinds of people--or used to be--telling kids being obnoxious in the movies to be quiet and sit down, telling kids in ToysRUs to stop playing with the toys and running around...finding lost kids in stores...scared my husband to death b/cuz he was afraid of what the parents' response would be (rarely thankful)...
And you are right --
parents who let kids get into situations where they need "finding" or "chiding" aren't going to thank you for your help cause they either 1 have no sense of shame or don't want to be reminded they failed or 2 they don't really care that much about their kids...

most of what they do and say is lip=service that allows THEM to do what they want vs really do the job of being a parent...

but those kids--you might be surprised....
my daughter taught at elementary school in AISD that had high % of low income kids...
she got to school around 715 in the AM and in winter that is dark still...not so much this early in school year...and there were always kids there...most of them walked...
there were always kids there before the school opened...waiting for the free breakfast...
most of the time they weren't dressed for the weather if it was cold and they certainly didn't have rain coats and rain boots if it was raining...

I have come to the very harsh/Draconia/yes--Nazi-like belief that some people shouldn't (for a variety of reasons that don't agree with Hitler's philosophy) be allowed to have kids...
unfortunately I can't do anything about it...

YES! YES!! YES!!! Give me your name and I'll write it on any ballot!

The responsible parents have to few kids, and the irresponsible have too many. I feel a disturbance in the force... and it's not going to end well.

[Camelia38]

If this is nagging you, there is a reason. Do something. Make a phone call to the police just to let them know about the situation.