Children's Safety

Look and the following two pictures. The first one is for a merry-go-round ride. The second photo is for the Ferris wheel.




Do you notice anything weird? I was astonished that the merry-go-round required safety belts, but the Ferris wheel didn't. Both rides took my 5 and 7 year old children unsupervised. Don't get me wrong, when my children were under 2 1/2 years of age, someone older stood near them to keep them from falling off the horse. It was thrilling for the children when they were old enough to hang on by themselves and enjoy the ride. They perceived a risk on their first "solo" merry-go-ride trip. The thrill is gone.

Teens Alone in Detroit

Back in September, Katie told Amy that she wanted to take her to see a band that they both like for her birthday. They talked it over and decided that they would invite a group of friends and all car pool together to see the concert, which was in Detroit. Invitations went out and then I was approached with the idea. I wasn't thrilled with the thought of my girls attending a concert in Detroit, but decided that it would be okay if they were in a group and if someone else drove, due to our car situation. I didn't want they stranded in Detroit at night.

Two weeks ago, I learn that only one friend is going. He has a dependable vehicle and plans on driving. Amy is uncomfortable attending a concert with Katie and a guy Katie works with at the library, so Amy invites Steve to go with them. Tickets are purchased and plans finalized. Then, I am informed that the concert is on Sunday at 7:00pm. At this point, I feel that I can't NOT let them go, but I'm not thrilled knowing that they will be out until the wee hours of the morning on a school night. (Another school day wasted!)

They left yesterday afternoon because they wanted to get good parking. When they arrived in Detroit the parking lots were full from another event in the area. The young man from the library has noticed a parking garage 15 blocks from the concert and wants to park there. He thinks that they can walk to the concert and back to the garage when the concert is over. (He's from a small town of 10,000 people.) Amy tells him that 15 blocks is too far to walk. They are arguing, when a policeman who is directing traffic, asks where they are going. They explain the plans and he tells them NOT to park in the parking garage 15 blocks from the concert, because the car will not be safe. YIKES! He directs them back to the full garage near the concert venue and tells them to wait until a spot opens up. Forty-five minutes later, they are safely parked in the garage and attend the concert.

On their way home, they miss the exit and end up in Ann Arbor. After stopping for a bite to eat at Denny's, they get directions back to the interstate. At 3:30am, they arrive home safe and sound. It will be a long time before I agree to a concert. I will ask lots of questions before giving permission to attend events.

Katie had to be to work at 9:00 this morning. She staggered to the car half asleep. Hopefully, she was awake when Mike dropped her off at work. Amy needs to be back at school this morning. She will probably sleep all the way to school before taking mid-term exams all afternoon. I remember the days when I could function on no sleep. Too bad they are long gone!

Intimidation and Personal Safety

Last night, Mike and I went to the local public library to pick up some books and DVD's. I was getting a huge stack of books for the younger girls and ended up with 4 large bags to carry out to the car. Mike grabbed two bags and headed out to the car. Another homeschool mom entered the library as I was leaving and we stopped to gab for a few minutes.

I began walking to the car and a man called to me asking for directions. He walked over to where I was standing, which was between two 50' raised planters. The two planters form a walkway to the parking area with no exits, except at the beginning and end of the planters. The man, who had been drinking, kept backing me into a corner and wouldn't let me pass. He was mumbling and incoherent. He kept getting closer and closer to me. Eventually there was only 3 inches between us, with me crammed up against the planter. He kept blocking me in, like a defensive basketball player. I was very uncomfortable. Was he after my purse? Would he harm me?

Mike could see me from the parking lot and came to rescue me from the situation. The man began yelling at Mike, but let me pass. My relief was unbelievable. Why was I unable to be rude to this man who was making me uncomfortable? I'm ashamed that I was unable to assert myself. This was a good learning experience for me and one that I will be using to teach my 5 daughters. NEVER let yourself be pushed into a situation, because you don't was to be rude. It's okay to forget good manners when someone is using your politeness to their advantage. All the kids and I will be doing some role-playing later today. And I won't be going to the library alone in the evening anymore.