I’ve seen it. You’ve seen it. We’ve all been unnerved, angered, surprised, and left with our mouths left wide open from the way some folks treat their kids – especially at “the mall.”
Yesterday, a girlfriend and I went on a Megabus trip to the Harrisburg Mall (which is very nice, by the way) in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – if you guys haven’t taken advantage of their cheap trips, you really should. For both of us, it cost $4.50 roundtrip, but I digress once again.
Being the observer that I am, I was people watching on a bench while waiting for my girl to come out of a store. I happened to be near two of those little rides that the kids can ride a minute or so for fifty cents. A few kids had already taken their turns when a little girl ran excitedly to get on. There were two older girls with her, but the mother never came near the ride – she went directly into one of the stores. After a time, the two older girls left the area and went to join the mother. The toddler who was no more than three years old stayed where she was, running around, enjoying freedom as a child her age should. Only problem was, I shouldn’t have been the one to watch her actions and make sure she didn’t hurt herself. This went on for a few minutes. From where I sat, I could see inside the store and not once did the mother come to check on the toddler. One of the older girls would peek from the store’s window, but never left to check on the kid either.
As the toddler continued to play by herself, a lone man came on the scene and stood by the railing, looking down on the shoppers below. The toy ride was the only thing separating him from me. I couldn’t see the kid anymore. I got up and walked around the ride to where “happy girl” was. There she stood right next to this male stranger, trying to mimic him as he leaned over the railing. I held my hand out and said, “C’mere, Sweetie.”
Sidebar folks – this is why I don’t believe in and have never taught my kid to “never speak to strangers” – a stranger can save your life or at the very least help. I never taught her to just go and talk to strangers either, but I think you guys feel where I’m coming from.
But, the little girl happily took my hand as I led her into the store that was more important to mom than the whereabouts of her kid. As I handed the babe off, I simply said, “She was running around by herself.” The mother angrily stared at the older child and said, “thank you” to me. As I walked away, I wondered what kind of trouble awaited the older kid. I shook my head.
Now, I was willing to watch the kid free of charge, but the babysitting fee would have raised drastically if I had to run after the child who was snatched by a pervert. Thank God it didn’t end that way, but you never know the intentions of others.
This is an actual photo of the mall I got from the internet. This is what the little girl saw as she was peering down.
Story #2: I was in the fitting room, trying on jeans that didn’t completely cover my little ass (why do designers think everyone wants their cracks showing? How much material does it take to cover a butt as small as mine?) when from another room, someone was berating her child. She was yelling at the kid about how she couldn’t take her anywhere and why she “gotta touch that” and my all time favorite, “I’mma punch you in the face. You took all the beads off my bracelet.” I mean, every sentence was followed by another degrading one.
And my girl heard even more than I did – she said the girl told the little one, “That’s why I’mma leave your ass home next time” and “…always touching something.”
As I exited the fitting room, the bad parent did too – a young girl (not surprising), with the kid who was knee high to the door knob and younger than the one in the first story. I just shook my head. What kid no taller than your knee caps can keep their fidgety hands by their sides and not touch anything? You must have patience to have children, children!
I’m sure you all have seen some of the same mannerisms or worse. How does it make you feel when you witness that type of behavior and have you ever intervened?
Thanks for your feedback.
writing is my thang 
Amen sister I have to bite my tongue sometimes to keep from saying something that will make their self esteem go down, some children start out with such low self esteem and to react negatively makes it worse. even a child like my Ray who thinks very highly of his little self lol can be brought down quickly. I saw it for a very brief time when his mother visited!
I hear you, Joanie! We have to keep the “littles” in prayer constantly. Thanks for responding too! 🙂
AMEN FOR YOU TILLY GOD FORBID THAT CHILD HAD YOU THERE! AS FOR THESE BABIES HAVING BABIES, BOY THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT A MENTAL ,EMOTIONAL SCARS THEY LEAVE ON THEIR CHILDREN. CHILDREN ONLY LEARN FROM WHAT THEY SEE AND WHAT THEY ARE TAUGHT. I JUST PRAY TO THE GOOD LORD IN HEAVEN THAT THESE CHILDREN WILL HAVE A HEALTHY LIFE NOW & WHEN THEY ARE GROWN! BOY IF I WERE THERE I WOUD HAVE FREAKED ON THESE CHILDREN (THE MOM’S) THAT IS!!!!!!!
Tilly meant to say thank God That Child Had you there not God Forbid Sorry about that kiddo I Love Ya Always ❤
I got you, E! I know what you meant, girl! 🙂
Yes, E! Those of us who are a certain age realize everything you said! 🙂
hey Tillie, I’ve finally caught up. just got out the hospital. I would have scared that mother so bad, where’s the mother of this child (and I mean LOUD} i’m tired of them putting their children on the older siblings too.
I hear you Tuck. I hoped the embarrassment of someone bringing her child to her would be enough and hopefully a lesson learned too.
I respond by grouping the mothers in the “lost generation.” Unteachable and unwilling to listen to any constructive criticism. On another note, I agree the Megabus is the bomb! Went to New York roundtrip $34 saw a show and had lunch and the whole day was worth it. Kuddos!
Yes, Bodgee, I’ll be hopping on the Megabus again for sure. It’s a sad fact, but so many young mothers fall into the “lost generation” category.
It used to take a village. Life was easier and better then. Not anymore…
Yes, Doxology, it will ALWAYS take a village.
Parents must teach their children! Children brains are like sponges which can absorb knowledge and information quickly. Children can be taught not to touch things when they are on outings or visiting homes. More so, children can be taught not to run around in public and stay by their mother’s side while shopping. Old school upbringing is priceless. Time & patience is key! The next time you go to Harrisburg Mall, I would like to go!
Zanetta
You are absolutely right, Zanetta, about the upbringing of children. A lot of younger parents nowadays do not know how to teach (anything)! I would love to go to the mall again – let’s see what we can arrange.
I hope the first mother takes this as a lesson and watches her child more carefully. She was lucky this time. Suppose you were that pedophile.Instead of being angry with the older child she also should have been checking on her daughter. As for the other one you know I heard a lot of this in the office but once they got in the booth with me, I did not allow it to happen. But what can you do. If you say anything you may have to fight. feel sorry for children who have these children for parents.
Exactly, Mel. I could’ve walked away with that child, and the other mother is just one of many (unfortunately).
You have that right Tilly.!!!!!!!
I know you feel me, E! 🙂