Oblivious

I am often surprised - and slightly in awe - when a parent is completely oblivious to the consequences of their child's behavior. I am not talking about a crabby child having a meltdown... been there, done that. I have all of the sympathy in the world for a child that is tired, ill, stingy, whiny, aggressive, or has special needs. My child is no saint, and we are as imperfect as the next family.

I have little sympathy, however, for a parent that buys each of their children (ages 2 - around 7) an over sized balloon, and then proceeds to look on aimlessly as said children bop people in front of them on the heads with their new "toys" over, and over, and over again. Apathy, or oblivion, presents the man, but either way... I do not deserve to be hit on the head by a child of any age.

On this occasion, I turn and patiently ask the father figure (the good Lord only knows who is actually raising this brood), "Can you take those away until after the show? I'd rather not be hit on the head for the entire 2nd half of the circus."

His firm and well-thought-out reply: "They're 2 and 3. They are having a good time."

My head wanted to scream, "So, if painting a stranger's house purple made them happy, you'd let them do that?!" Instead, I remain calm and explain that I, too, have a 3 year-old, but that in having a good time, she is NOT allowed to ruin anyone else's good time with toys, or food, or anything else for that matter.

His reply: "Well, we're going to do what we're going to do."

I am now angry and defensive. I respond calmly, again, with the most logical thing that I can think of at the moment. "Fine. I will just go and speak with an usher that will be happy to teach your children how to handle their toys, and that will perhaps ask you to move to a place in which you won't be allowed to bother others."

"Dad" took the toys away, set them aside, and said that he'd hand them back out after the show. No more was said, and life went on for all of us. I am still, however, carrying a bit of a grudge that people - like this man - can walk through life completely oblivious to others.

Perhaps he was allowed to do such things when he was a child...?

MWM Turns 30