You forgot the kids

[Solumina]

Happened last night. I had to call someone's unit because their kids (four and five) were in the pool without any adults, pretty easy to spot when both kids are clearly black and they were clearly the only black people in the pool area (not to mention the fact that one was struggling to swim and nobody seemed to really care). When I talked to the kids I found out that they had come with the mom's boyfriend but he had to change, he failed to tell them that he was going to the unit to change so they kept thinking that he would come out of the locker room at any moment. I told them that they couldn’t be in the pool without an adult and that I needed them to wait at the desk with me. I gave it another five minutes before asking if they knew what unit they were staying in, thank goodness they did know the number because the reservation is under the boyfriend's cousin's name and I don't think they would have known that. Turns out the boyfriend had gone back to the unit to change but had gotten distracted and apparently mom thought nothing of it when he came back to the unit without kids and was really surprised when I told her that I had two kids with me who said that this was their unit number. I told them that they needed to come and get the kids or I could send them back to the unit with security so she said that they would be right over. When they did show up of course they didn’t thank me for keeping an eye on the kids, nor did they apologize to the kids, but hey I didn’t actually expect them to show so I guess that is a plus. I left a note for my coworkers and told security their unit number so if there are any other issues with these people they will be reported for negligence.

*sigh*

I think the part that bothers me the most is the fact that the kids were very nice and well behaved, they had no problem waiting with me at the desk, even though we keep it a bit chilly (they just asked if they could have a couple of extra towels, even saying please and thank you). There are so few well behaved kids these days, they deserve so much better.

[Mishi]

Poor kids! They do deserve so much better, you did well looking after them Solumina.

[Kristev]

Good kids, bad parent.

[bainsidhe]

Well, up until the lack of thanks from the parental units, it seemed more of a total brain fart than your run-of-the-mill bad parenting. And polite kids don't happen by themselves. Nevertheless, this was an accident waiting to happen.

[RetailWorkhorse]

How you should basically let your 7-8 yr old kids play in the park without supervision, because it encourages them to become independent human beings.

And have great big TARGETS on their backs.

I have the feeling I'm gonna be a paranoid parent.

...what am I saying; I'm already paranoid!

[Racket_Man]

Well, up until the lack of thanks from the parental units, it seemed more of a total brain fart than your run-of-the-mill bad parenting. And polite kids don't happen by themselves. Nevertheless, this was an accident waiting to happen.

One message board I'm fond of has been discussing a book encouraging "free-range" children. How you should basically let your 7-8 yr old kids play in the park without supervision, because it encourages them to become independent human beings. What a lot of the people discussing the issue has missed is 1) It's illegal (at least in my state) to have children under 12 go unsupervised and 2) Offering up your local toy/book store as a place to "free-range" your children is unfair to both employees and the kids.

at least you got well behaved and polite childern.

to your second point I will choose to go over to Fratching for further discussion. I guess times have REALLY changed since I was a kid (not all that long ago but is seems the times now are far more paranoid)

[Jester]

One message board I'm fond of has been discussing a book encouraging "free-range" children. How you should basically let your 7-8 yr old kids play in the park without supervision, because it encourages them to become independent human beings. What a lot of the people discussing the issue has missed is 1) It's illegal (at least in my state) to have children under 12 go unsupervised and 2) Offering up your local toy/book store as a place to "free-range" your children is unfair to both employees and the kids.

Hell, that's how I grew up!

My parents were great, don't get me wrong, but once I learned how to ride a bicycle, I was GONE. All over town (though of course I never told Mom and Dad just how far afield I ranged), both on my bike and just walking/exploring. From about the age of six on.

Are there dangers inherent in this? Of course. All one has to do is read or watch the news to know this. Is there something to be said for allowing kids to just be kids? Naturally. It seems to have worked alright with me and my sisters, though of course individual mileage will vary.

I have no doubt that there could be a healthy debate on this, and I would love to see it. Hopefully it will be in fratching, as I was not trying to prompt a debate (nor did I take either side, incidentally), just pointing out the vast changes in 30 years.

God, that last phrase made me feel so damn OLD. I'll have to balance that out by going on a silly costumed bike ride/pub crawl in the morning. (Yes, I'm serious. It's sponsored by the local burlesque troupe.)

[Mongo Skruddgemire]

At least the children were nice. It's nice to see that there is some reason to have at least a little faith in the future of humanity.

[Julesy]

Since the parents didn't thank you:

THANK YOU!!


These parents make me shudder. I'm all for not being too overprotective, but forgetting the children at the pool? That is, well, a bit too much for my brain to handle.

[blas]

You did a very good deed and everyone here is very proud of you. Remember that instead of the idiot parents and their lack of gratitude.