Watch Those Kids!

I feel I should preface this post with the fact that I do not have children. Despite the fact that I have been an active aunt for many years, I’m also not going to delusion myself in thinking I know what it’s like to take the kids out while you run errands or do your holiday shopping. I will say that I do think there are sadly, a lot of parents out there who need to learn to actually keep an eye on their children while out and about – especially during such busy shopping seasons as we are in now. There are people who are moving up and down the aisles at a constant rate these days in the stores hunting for the perfect gifts for family and friends. Needless to say, it’s a hectic season and one where we should all perhaps do our best to be cordial and considerate to those around us while out in public. How people behave generally in stores though is not my main concern here.

While at a local Meijer store today with a friend of mine who was doing a bit of holiday shopping, I turned in an aisle to go off and find a scanner to price check something. As soon as I turned around my foot caught to something that nearly sent me flying forward. Thankfully I was able to catch my balance and not fall flat on my face in the aisle. However, I felt completely and utterly awful to say the least when I turned around to see what I had tripped over and spotted a startled little girl. I immediately apologized up and down to the poor child and inquired to her if she was okay. I turned around to who I presume was the child’s mother who nonchalantly told me it was okay, even as I apologized to her as well. I found myself feeling just horrid of the event as I slinked my way past the parents out of the aisle apologizing again on my way out of it. As I made my way out of the aisle I couldn’t help noticing that nobody walked over to the child I tripped over to check on her. It seemed the parents of this little girl had just gone back to yakking with someone else in the aisle.

Now I do try not to judge others unfairly or without cause. I don’t like to presume things about people I don’t know, but I couldn’t help as I pursued off wondering why her parents didn’t keep an eye on her or at least tell her to stay close to them. They were at one end, I was at another with my friend and when I turned that little girl was like right there – which unfortunately had led to the tripping as I didn’t spot her in time crouched down right behind me. As I made my way back into the aisle I felt so horrible again when I notice the little girl approaching her father and him putting an arm around her. She looked ready to cry, which honestly broke my heart. I have a soft spot for kids and I just still am in disbelief it even happened. She did seem fine though and without anyone making a fuss over her, I can only presume she was and likely just startled bad enough. After all, I’m going to take a stab in the dark here and say it’s not every day a stranger trips over her.

Please correct me if I am wrong, but is it too much to ask parents to watch their children? I don’t want to be the bad guy here and Lord knows I am going to be dwelling on some level with how awful I feel about accidently tripping over that little girl for awhile now. But I can’t help this slight aggravation towards parents now who do not keep an eye on what their kid is doing, especially when the aisles are crowded and full of holiday chaos due to the season.

--XOXO, Jane