Being mad at family

MrMerkinball

Sorry guys - but I have to rant here........

Yesterday, my sister in law (42 years old) took my oldest daughter (7 yrs old) to Canada's Wonderland - which is a huge theme park here in Toronto, for my daughters birthday.

Apparently she left my daughter on a bench alone for a half an hour while she went on the newest roller coaster. My daughter was not tall enough.

How could anyone have such lack of judgement? I don't care that she has never had kids, and maybe doesn't know the rules of parenting....but Holy F - you don't leave a 7 year old girl alone in an amusement park for 1 minute, let alone 30.

And finally - how sad is it that you take a little girl to an amusement park for her birthday, and you make the kid sit on a bench while you go on the rides?

stargirl69

Oh jeez

This reminded me of an experinece I had a few months ago.
I went to Legoland with my sister and nephews.My sister and nephews went to queue for a water ride that had a 90 minute wait.
While I waited a family stood beside me,discussing if they should wait that long for the ride.They had four kids with them,the youngest being a baby in a buggy.Both parents wanted to go on the ride but neither were willing to compromise waiting with the baby !!!!!!
I almost fell over when the mum took out a long bicycle security chain with lock and proceded to wind it around the baby and the buggy then locked the entire thing to the fence.

I told her she couldn't leave a baby tied up like that for even a second nevermind the length of time they were going to wait on the ride.She hurled abuse at me and suggested I look after the baby as I was just standing around waiting.I obviously refused and they walked away still leaving the baby tied to the fence.

I went and found a park keeper and the family still refusing not to take turns on the ride and look after the baby were escorted out of the park hurling abuse as they went.

I guess some people are just plain stupid.

Dissidentman

stargirl69 wrote:

Oh jeez

This reminded me of an experinece I had a few months ago.
I went to Legoland with my sister and nephews.My sister and nephews went to queue for a water ride that had a 90 minute wait.
While I waited a family stood beside me,discussing if they should wait that long for the ride.They had four kids with them,the youngest being a baby in a buggy.Both parents wanted to go on the ride but neither were willing to compromise waiting with the baby !!!!!!
I almost fell over when the mum took out a long bicycle security chain with lock and proceded to wind it around the baby and the buggy then locked the entire thing to the fence.

I told her she couldn't leave a baby tied up like that for even a second nevermind the length of time they were going to wait on the ride.She hurled abuse at me and suggested I look after the baby as I was just standing around waiting.I obviously refused and they walked away still leaving the baby tied to the fence.

I went and found a park keeper and the family still refusing not to take turns on the ride and look after the baby were escorted out of the park hurling abuse as they went.

I guess some people are just plain stupid.

WOW

Danimal

stargirl69 wrote:

Oh jeez

This reminded me of an experinece I had a few months ago.
I went to Legoland with my sister and nephews.My sister and nephews went to queue for a water ride that had a 90 minute wait.
While I waited a family stood beside me,discussing if they should wait that long for the ride.They had four kids with them,the youngest being a baby in a buggy.Both parents wanted to go on the ride but neither were willing to compromise waiting with the baby !!!!!!
I almost fell over when the mum took out a long bicycle security chain with lock and proceded to wind it around the baby and the buggy then locked the entire thing to the fence.

I told her she couldn't leave a baby tied up like that for even a second nevermind the length of time they were going to wait on the ride.She hurled abuse at me and suggested I look after the baby as I was just standing around waiting.I obviously refused and they walked away still leaving the baby tied to the fence.

I went and found a park keeper and the family still refusing not to take turns on the ride and look after the baby were escorted out of the park hurling abuse as they went.

I guess some people are just plain stupid.

COME ON!!! This HAS to be a joke!!!!

dunkman

your sister-in-law needs a good talking to... obviously you know you cannot trust her again in the future.

Porchsitter

Honestly, that kind of breach of trust would be difficult to mend.

decides2dream

WOW.
:shock:


firstly, i am so, so, so glad to know your daughter came home safe and sound...the what-ifs of that scenario are just scary to imagine. secondly, hell yea, you're right....childless or not, christ.....seriously, is she an idiot? never, never, never in a million years would i ever do something like that. and damn, lesson learned.....never leave your kids with your SIL, ever.

electronblue

Danimal wrote:

stargirl69 wrote:

Oh jeez

This reminded me of an experinece I had a few months ago.
I went to Legoland with my sister and nephews.My sister and nephews went to queue for a water ride that had a 90 minute wait.
While I waited a family stood beside me,discussing if they should wait that long for the ride.They had four kids with them,the youngest being a baby in a buggy.Both parents wanted to go on the ride but neither were willing to compromise waiting with the baby !!!!!!
I almost fell over when the mum took out a long bicycle security chain with lock and proceded to wind it around the baby and the buggy then locked the entire thing to the fence.

I told her she couldn't leave a baby tied up like that for even a second nevermind the length of time they were going to wait on the ride.She hurled abuse at me and suggested I look after the baby as I was just standing around waiting.I obviously refused and they walked away still leaving the baby tied to the fence.

I went and found a park keeper and the family still refusing not to take turns on the ride and look after the baby were escorted out of the park hurling abuse as they went.

I guess some people are just plain stupid.

COME ON!!! This HAS to be a joke!!!!

maybe they have some really good rides out there.










(jk of course!)

ZiggyStar

At what age do you begin to leave children by themselves?

dunkman

ZiggyStar wrote:

At what age do you begin to leave children by themselves?

not 7 anyway.

perhaps 12 or so... it depends on the whereabouts and the circumstances.

ZiggyStar

dunkman wrote:

ZiggyStar wrote:

At what age do you begin to leave children by themselves?

not 7 anyway.

perhaps 12 or so... it depends on the whereabouts and the circumstances.

Oh I agree not at age 7. I should have said that in my previous post.

MrMerkinball

dunkman wrote:

ZiggyStar wrote:

At what age do you begin to leave children by themselves?

not 7 anyway.

perhaps 12 or so... it depends on the whereabouts and the circumstances.

Exactly....I am guessing that I will know when it is time. But it is my decision......not hers and Christ - 7 years old.

I also talked to Mikayla (my daughter) about it last night.

Me: Sweetie, where you scared being alone?
Mik: no, I was fine.
Me: What would you have done if a stranger came up to you?
Mik: i would NEVER talk to a stranger
Me: What if a Stranger grabbed you?
Mik: I would kick him really hard and run away
Me: What if he was faster than you?
Mik:....I guess I would yell
Me: You are not in trouble, and this is not your fault. No matter what adult you are with, even if it's me or mommy, if you are asked to wait alone, you say no.

Bathgate66

I see you said sister in law.
I guess shes married to your brother ?
Maybe take it up with your brother,
leave it to him to read your sis-in-law the riot act.
I totally understand your perspective,
7 is too young period, no matter the length of time .

DeLukin

If she doesn't have kids maybe she just doesn't know that 7 is too young. If she was a parent, that would be different, but I don't think you can expect her to just instinctively know right from wrong in that situation. She was definitely being selfish, but remember what you were like before you had kids? Maybe go easy on her this time. At least now you know not to leave your daughter with her again...

Who Princess

Once I got past my anger at the disregard for your daughter's safety, I was angry some more at the selfishness of your SIL who was supposed to be treating a little girl to a day of fun but instead focused on her own enjoyment. I don't have children but whenever I took my nephews or niece somewhere special (they are all grown now), the emphasis was on what KIDS enjoy doing, not entertaining me. And I can't imagine ever compromising a child's safety. In your position, I would be furious with your SIL. Have you talked with her about it yet?

MrMerkinball

Bathgate66 wrote:

I see you said sister in law.
I guess shes married to your brother ?
Maybe take it up with your brother,
leave it to him to read your sis-in-law the riot act.
I totally understand your perspective,
7 is too young period, no matter the length of time .

My Wife's sister......knowing their relationship, it is up to me to handle. It won't go well if my wife handles it.

decides2dream

whoprincess wrote:

Once I got past my anger at the disregard for your daughter's safety, I was angry some more at the selfishness of your SIL who was supposed to be treating a little girl to a day of fun but instead focused on her own enjoyment. I don't have children but whenever I took my nephews or niece somewhere special (they are all grown now), the emphasis was on what KIDS enjoy doing, not entertaining me. And I can't imagine ever compromising a child's safety. In your position, I would be furious with your SIL. Have you talked with her about it yet?

exactly!


also, as to the age.....it's not just about age, but also the situation/environment. places such as amusement parks are havens for child abductions b/c obviously, there are lots of children about, a lot of action, crowds, etc....makes it 'easier' for children to get seperated, lost, away from friends or family. so even a bit older, while i would feel better leaving an older child alone, i still think in such situations that ideally, in such an environment i would hope no child would ever be 'alone'....but that's just me. sure, as kids get older, 13-15, go to amusement parks with friends and all....but still, it really is such an individual decision just when your child is ready, when you feel comfortable. you can never keep a child absolutely 100% 'safe'...but you damned well can do a LOT to try to do so...

MrMerkinball

whoprincess wrote:

Once I got past my anger at the disregard for your daughter's safety, I was angry some more at the selfishness of your SIL who was supposed to be treating a little girl to a day of fun but instead focused on her own enjoyment. I don't have children but whenever I took my nephews or niece somewhere special (they are all grown now), the emphasis was on what KIDS enjoy doing, not entertaining me. And I can't imagine ever compromising a child's safety. In your position, I would be furious with your SIL. Have you talked with her about it yet?

When she dropped Mikayla off, I was dealing with a crying 2 year old, a 5 year old who was jealous. I calmly told her to go home and that we would discuss it later.

When she said that I needed to realize and accept that Mikayla was growing up and that it wasn't a big deal....I told her that it wasnt her decision to make.

Claireack

MrMerkinball wrote:

When she said that I needed to realize and accept that Mikayla was growing up and that it wasn't a big deal....I told her that it wasnt her decision to make.

Glad you said something to her straight away. At 12 we let our son have more independance, he goes swimming, to the pictures, park, on his bike, friends houses and at home (not for long). But 7? Ridiculous!! Besides if I'd taken a child there I would be wanting the child to have fun not sat alone somewhere.

JaneNY

I'm not sure there's much to be gained by talking to the woman about it. The situation is over and the woman may not even 'get' that what she did was wrong. Simply resolve to never hand over the care of your precious daughter to her again no matter what she offers in the future. What she did was unconscionable.

Lizard

That's all kinds of wrong.
Damn.

JordyWordy

JaneNY wrote:

I'm not sure there's much to be gained by talking to the woman about it. The situation is over and the woman may not even 'get' that what she did was wrong. Simply resolve to never hand over the care of your precious daughter to her again no matter what she offers in the future. What she did was unconscionable.

I think there's a whole lot to be gained by it. she could do the same with a somebody else's child and not be so fortunate that nothing went wrong. How many 7 year old children are well-behaved enough to stay on a bench in an amusement park for that long? I just think that anyone who can live to be 42 and not realise that its wrong needs to be told why it is wrong.

stargirl69

Danimal wrote:

stargirl69 wrote:

Oh jeez

This reminded me of an experinece I had a few months ago.
I went to Legoland with my sister and nephews.My sister and nephews went to queue for a water ride that had a 90 minute wait.
While I waited a family stood beside me,discussing if they should wait that long for the ride.They had four kids with them,the youngest being a baby in a buggy.Both parents wanted to go on the ride but neither were willing to compromise waiting with the baby !!!!!!
I almost fell over when the mum took out a long bicycle security chain with lock and proceded to wind it around the baby and the buggy then locked the entire thing to the fence.

I told her she couldn't leave a baby tied up like that for even a second nevermind the length of time they were going to wait on the ride.She hurled abuse at me and suggested I look after the baby as I was just standing around waiting.I obviously refused and they walked away still leaving the baby tied to the fence.

I went and found a park keeper and the family still refusing not to take turns on the ride and look after the baby were escorted out of the park hurling abuse as they went.

I guess some people are just plain stupid.

COME ON!!! This HAS to be a joke!!!!

I can absolutely assure you this was NO JOKE !!! I was stunned ... I am trying not to be "to" judgemental but the family were .... well .... neds,chavs,trailer trash,whatever terminology is used around the world for people who contribute little to the care of their children or society.

stuckinline

mrmerkinball, you have every right to be upset. what your sister in law did was WRONG
this is my fav part:

"When she said that I needed to realize and accept that Mikayla was growing up and that it wasn't a big deal....I told her that it wasnt her decision to make." you are 100% correct here. your sil was irresponsible!!!

i also agree the day should have focused on your daughter.

Danimal

stargirl69 wrote:

Danimal wrote:

stargirl69 wrote:

Oh jeez

This reminded me of an experinece I had a few months ago.
I went to Legoland with my sister and nephews.My sister and nephews went to queue for a water ride that had a 90 minute wait.
While I waited a family stood beside me,discussing if they should wait that long for the ride.They had four kids with them,the youngest being a baby in a buggy.Both parents wanted to go on the ride but neither were willing to compromise waiting with the baby !!!!!!
I almost fell over when the mum took out a long bicycle security chain with lock and proceded to wind it around the baby and the buggy then locked the entire thing to the fence.

I told her she couldn't leave a baby tied up like that for even a second nevermind the length of time they were going to wait on the ride.She hurled abuse at me and suggested I look after the baby as I was just standing around waiting.I obviously refused and they walked away still leaving the baby tied to the fence.

I went and found a park keeper and the family still refusing not to take turns on the ride and look after the baby were escorted out of the park hurling abuse as they went.

I guess some people are just plain stupid.

COME ON!!! This HAS to be a joke!!!!

I can absolutely assure you this was NO JOKE !!! I was stunned ... I am trying not to be "to" judgemental but the family were .... well .... neds,chavs,trailer trash,whatever terminology is used around the world for people who contribute little to the care of their children or society.

That is just absurd!

I have an idea! Let's chain our kid to the fence! What a bunch of goons!

stargirl69

Danimal wrote:

stargirl69 wrote:

Danimal wrote:

stargirl69 wrote:

Oh jeez




It was utterly absurd.I think they thought they were doing the "right" thing by at the very lowest level of parenting they werre insuring no one ran off with the baby.

Digital Twilight

It's really hard to find the words...

dimitrispearljam

all this is not so easy..not only hoiw old is the children but matters where u leave it,,for sure not 7 years and in a park

norm

MrMerkinball wrote:

When she said that I needed to realize and accept that Mikayla was growing up and that it wasn't a big deal

what a tool :roll:

blackredyellow

whoprincess wrote:

Once I got past my anger at the disregard for your daughter's safety, I was angry some more at the selfishness of your SIL who was supposed to be treating a little girl to a day of fun but instead focused on her own enjoyment. I don't have children but whenever I took my nephews or niece somewhere special (they are all grown now), the emphasis was on what KIDS enjoy doing, not entertaining me. And I can't imagine ever compromising a child's safety. In your position, I would be furious with your SIL. Have you talked with her about it yet?

That's what gets to me too... Obviously if it was my child left alone, I'd be more upset about that part, but the selfishness about doing it on "her" day was what bothers me the most.

Talking to someone that self-centered probably won't change their opinion at all, and I doubt that she will feel like she did anything wrong.

norm

whenever i would take my nieces and nephews someplace i NEVER let them out of my sight...the one time i did, my nephew was 14 and niece was 9 and i let them go to a movie by themselves while i waited in front of the theater...and i was paranoid the entire time and didn't relax until i saw them come out of the theater