I don't have any children so I don't claim to know anything about parenting; however, I think I know weird parenting when I see it.
I went to Publix to purchase groceries for tonight's dinner. Baked Penne Parmesan with Garlic Toast and Rice Krispie Treats for dessert since you were curious.
There was a nice lady in line behind me purchasing baby formula, a baby bottle and a bottle of water. We started discussing how expensive it is to have a child nowadays and how we felt bad for being spoiled brats as kids. Her advice to me-"Wait as long as you can before you have a child. It is so expensive.". I thanked her for the wonderful advice. As I was placing my bags into my cart she began to tell the cashier how upset her husband would be if he found out that she was giving the baby a bottle that had not been sterilized or even cleaned for that matter. I turned around and she was placing the powder formula into the bottle-which came directly off the shelf-and began pouring water into the bottle. I was in shock. I bid farewell to my new friends with a puzzled look on my face.
I step outside and directly in front of me in the fire lane is a BMW SUV with the motor idling. I peered inside while walking by and what did I see? A little baby in a car seat and no adult in sight. I began to put the pieces together in my head and realized that little Mrs.great-advice-dirty-bottle-giver was also Mrs.leave-my-infant-in-the-car-unattended-with-the-motor-running-in-the-fire-lane. {that was a mouthful}
I wondered if that was the wisest decision to make...what if instead of kind Victori walking by, it was the cops, or heaven forbid, a social worker from Family and Children's Services?
Should I take her advice?
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Although I understand your concern, don't pass judgment too quickly... I can't count the times I've had to make a quick stop for a "dirty bottle" and a can of formula. There's nothing like a screaming hungry baby after a long day of running errands. No one's perfect, you can't always be prepared! You aren't gonna kill your baby with a fresh-out-of-the-package baby bottle.
ReplyDeleteAs for leaving the baby in the car.. I've done it too. I've LOCKED my kid in my car for 5 or 10 minutes (motor NOT running) to return movies, pay for gas, or pick up a pizza...Although its not the best idea, and can be dangerous.. the frustration that comes with getting them in and out ... and in and out... can, at the time, overcome your best judgment.
Although I'm not necessarily one to be taking advice from either... maybe you should wait until you've had a child before you jump to conclusions! ... And yes, you should take her advice :)
Thank you for the thoughtful and heartfelt comment. I really appreciate it! :)
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