In our previous lives as teachers/principals, everything was more cut and dried as to procedures and what was acceptable, as opposed as to what was not acceptable at school. We constantly dealt with parents whose children could do no wrong, especially the ones who were their parents' babies, their majitos or mijitas. That is the Spanish or Mexican slang for their special babies, for whom there is no blame. That was a constant problem to deal with in the Albuquerque schools, and apparently, it is now a problem nation-wide, not only with the Hispanic culture.
While working at this RV resort, we have observed that many parents seem quite content to simply "drop off" their kids the minute they enter the park. Their kids, after all, are perfect and do not need any supervision. Should anything happen? Well, it certainly wouldn't have anything to do with THEIR kids, because THEIR kids are reliable and perfect! Sure! As if anyone who has taught in the public schools believes THAT nonsense. Tonight was a perfect (imperfect?) example
We two were simply enjoying the camaraderie and music when a park resident came up with a little freckled face boy on a bicycle. She explained that he had been riding his bike in the open air pavilion where the kids were playing basketball, and she was afraid the other kids would be hurt. She asked him to stop, but he pretended not to hear her... Later he said the music was "too loud." So she must have grabbed him by the arm and told him to stop, whereupon she brought him over to where we were standing, trying to enjoy the evening, and explained what had happened. We tried to smooth over the incident, explaining to the boy that the woman was worried about others getting hurt, and that he just should not ride there any more. We thought that ended the matter. Not. Then in a bit the father appeared, totally upset and indignant that someone had "manhandled" his child, that he had been a molested child,and that no one would EVER touch his child. He wanted to call the police and pursue an arrest for the person who had done this.... an 80 year old woman who had just lost her husband the previous week, and who had previously been a school bus driver and had seen kids in action. We tried to explain that she was just concerned about the safety of the other kids, but no, this guy wanted to call the police and press charges. At that point I contacted Don, who thoroughly chewed me out for interfering in an issue where there could be criminal charges filed. EXCUSE ME? Are the charges to be filed against the parents who were not watching their kid? The only "witnesses" were the other "friends" who were playing at the same place. Would that be called reliable? What on earth is happening in this society of today that parents cannot be called upon to be responsible for their children's actions, or even worse, deny their children's actions and activities? And, even more importantly, is the lady who took the trouble to care about the welfare of the other children to be charged with a crime for taking that boy's arm? Something is dreadfully wrong with our society when we allow such reprehensible actions against her be accepted, and when parents cannot accept the consequences of their own lack of responsibility for their children's behavior. I am especially upset over this tonight, and I am trying to figure out a way to deal with this in my mind. I hoped writing about it would help. Do any of you have any ideas?
