Have you ever noticed that some moms hover over their children to the point of suffocation? I used to be that mom. Really, I was so afraid of something bad happening that I was there to prevent any sort of actual living from happening. Then there are those other moms. I'm sure that many of you have seen them at your local playgrounds and neighborhood pools: the moms who seem to get into public and relinquish all control of their children. Most moms, like myself, fall somewhere in the middle between the two.
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I may not stand within a one-foot proximity of my children these days when they are in the pool, but my eyes are always on them for several reasons. I need to keep an eye out for drowning, them playing a little too rambunctiously in other children's space, and other children crowding my children. For one of a million reasons, I watch my own children. It's my job to keep them safe, out of harm's way and to make sure that they behave like good citizens of the pool, playground or what have you. I am teaching them to live in the world with other people by being responsible and courteous. It's working.
But I've been learning a lesson lately; the parent's who watch their children, end up watching everyone's children. It's not my choice to keep an eye on everybody else's child at the pool–not by a long shot. But I also can't ignore a child who needs help. Apparently, some other parents have an easier time relinquishing their parenting duties. No good deed goes unpunished.
I'm not saying this pheomenon is something new. Its just begun to be more noticeable as we are spending more time outside around more children. I just wish I knew why some parents think that as soon as another responsible adult is around, it is the go signal for their parenting hall pass. I've literally seen people walk in, sit down and become completely oblivious to what their child was doing. I don't even know how you do that without being blind.
No joke, I have had people come to my home for parties, dinners, whatever and the minute they walk in the door, perfectly good parents simply stop parenting and let their children run wild. I find this crazy because I want my children to be on their best behavior in other people's homes. So that leaves me wondering: Is carefree parenting just an excuse for lazy parenting? Is that why people really chastise over protective parents for being overbearing? Is it really just because it's just too much damn work to keep up?
Since I always seem to end up being the one keeping an eye on everyone else's child at the pool, perhaps I should start wearing a T-shirt that says "Unattended Children will be given Espresso and a free kitten"?
Image via The TRUH about Motherhood
