What is our responsibility to our children? What’s our responsibility to the children of others? Most of us have a hands-off philosophy when it comes to other kids, right? Walk a mile in their parents’ shoes first, we say with a deeply tolerant air. But we also like to say that it takes a village to raise a child. So shouldn’t we be stepping in more? After my first encounter with Gym Mom, some of you got so angry that I said loudly in front of her older son that we should never hit or push anyone. I may have embarrassed him! A few of you chided me. But aren’t we doing society a disservice if we stand around acting like bad behavior is normal, for fear that we might offend someone? To me, the smile on Gym Mom’s face was the smile of a woman who knows her kids can damn well do what they please and no one will stop them.
Most of the time.
Ten minutes into my deep thoughts, one of the nursery workers walked up to our machines. She looked up at Gym Mom and waited for her to take out her earbuds.
“Is it that bad?” Gym Mom asked witheringly. The worker nodded. Gym Mom left and didn’t come back.
I don’t see this situation resolving itself any time soon. I’m sure I’ll deal with Gym Mom again at the Y, either directly or indirectly, and I’m equally sure that she’s only the first in a long line of parents I encounter who give their kids free rein to do whatever the hell they want—even if it negatively affects other kids or takes undue amounts of time from teachers and caregivers. How do you respond to parents like this? How should I? I want to be sympathetic. I don’t want to be a pushover who’s afraid to “make a fuss” by standing up for my children.
