Bonita of Bwana
Posted : 5/11/2008 9:25:04 PM
Hmmmmm let's see the longest I ever lost track of a child or grandchild was 5 minutes. She snuck under the divider in the dressing room. I was standing outside the door talking to her, and trying to explain why at 6 years she could not have a bikini just "'cause everyone else was wearing them". Right about the point I thought I was "wining" the arguement I realized she hadn't continued her point of view.... risking the " Mother Privacy PLEASE !!!" that had become her recent mantra I opened the door. It took security , the salesclerks and myself less than 5 minutes to locate her. The look of triumph at putting one over me was quickly replaced by total fear when she realized I was beyond angry!!
She was grounded for a month and never pulled that stunt again. I have had some issues with my grown kids. But while children I was righfully proud of them.
I never understood friends who left the kids in the car to run in the convienance store and get milk , or who turned them loose out front to play until dinner. My kids and now the grands simply did not and never will have this experience. I have known lovely folks who for what ever reason could not have kids. Then I have known folks who breed like freaking rabbits. They could care less about the kids. They use them for attention , or for a check from the state.
At a recent PTA meeting ( I HATE pta meetings, ) I was sitting next to a couple of very upscale well dressed and obviously educated couples. They commented on my grandson who was a primary person in the program. I thanked them for the complements and asked which child was thiers? They pointed out a shy looking kid, expensive haircut and pricey jewlery ( this is the 3thd grade) . I complimented her pretty hair. They sighed a long suffering sigh and said dismmisively they hated the fact that she just wouldn't speak up. That dispite the HOURS speant practicing the 4 lines she had she just had to whisper. They had even paid a local drama coach to make an effort to teach her... I was floored. The entire time they were grumping about the kid's too soft delivery they missed it. She kept her eyes glued to the floor and when she flubbed the 2nd line my grandson leaned over and whispered it to her. The Preformance was over and my grandson bounced up , happy and triumphant his giggle alone made the torture of the PTA meeting bearable. We high 5'ed and hugged , pictures were taken and the highlights repeated over again. We were nearly out the door when I realized this little girl was walking with us. Of course we complemented her and talked about her lines.... The parents had not realized she was with us until I took her back. Not One photo taken, not one compliment given..... I offered to send them copies the pictures I took... they said "thank you " then posed with her for pics.... It is just us??? Is it something I over do???
People who do not realize the treasure they were blessed by deserve the pain they will have since the joy is overlooked while they deal with the drudgery of childcare. I am 51 and I was lucky enough to have a 4 year old at the show with me this weekend. Was she a pill?? Duh...so were the puppies and the Hubs. Did I feel like an amazing person when she called me G'ma, Momma or Anything else?? Yep. I turned one Ex pen into a doll house for her and we played together all weekend. SHE was the best part of the weekend, ask me, ask the dogs ...the family in the rig next to us seemed to have an entirely different view of how much fun having the kids there really was.
The parents of the beach boy should be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible/ A judge can see the damage the neglect they are starting now, at 4 years will do in the next few years. Someone, Somewhere should have the guts to stand up for this child and acknowledge there is a couple, or heck a single person who would do whatever it took to cherish and love this little person. They are a gift, not a right.
Bonita of Bwana