I know this topic has been roaming the internet due to the season and the news. I have seen a lot of people saying things like how stupid people are that they can’t remember their kids are in the car. People saying that people are failures as parents if they want to use apps or devices to prevent this from happening.
Here’s the thing in my mind, we all make mistakes. Children fall into pools, children fall down stairs, I even read about a young girl who died when she knocked her dresser over on herself in the middle of the night. Are these parents failures too? If so add my name to the list.
Being Human
What does being human mean to you? Is it that you have emotions and thoughts, that you can speak your mind? Is it that you can cry tears?
Here’s what being human means to me. Being human means you make mistakes, you fail at things, you succeed at thing, you grow, you love, you hurt, you respect other humans. I will be the 1st to tell you … I make mistakes…. some times big ones and some times little ones.
Being a Parent
Being a Parent is no easy feat and we all make mistakes. As news reports, some of the parents who have left children in there car have been charged and made the choice to “forget”. This people need serious help and I mourn for those innocent babes. I think this is the rarity.
Mistakes
We all make mistakes. And I think that as a parent anything we do for the safety and protection of our children is important. We put helmets on our children when they ride bikes, seats belt and car seats in the car, gates on the stairs. Why then are we claiming that using a app or a device that helps you remember is such a bad thing? I mean we added seat belts and child care seats to cars and they have save lives.
Just Options
I am not saying we should depend on such thing but I am saying that added help can’t hurt. I remember how forgetful and spacey I was after having each of my children. I know that when they went out with dad he was extra diligent to check in with me. We always let each other know when the kids are dropped off at school and the like. This way we hold each other accountable and we both know that if plans change we will make sure the other is ok.
When I was a single mom after being widowed, I would have used am app and/or device because my mind wasn’t always intact. I would have felt more confidant in myself knowing I had extra protection. Of course I always made sure friends or family were checking in, just in case. If I had really been worried about doing something that would have put my son in harms way I would have asked for help.
Just Being Smart
There are lots of things you can do that don’t mean buying anything or downloading and app. As a young woman I was taught to always check and double check the back seat (for someone who shouldn’t belong there.) As a mom I put my purse in the middle of the back seat or on the floor. I also have a baby mirror in my car so I can see the carseats.
Doug and I always check in with each other though out the day. Texting to say hey I’m at work, I just dropped Kelton off at school, I am headed home to play with Kiernan, etc. I don’t do any of these things because I think that I WILL forget my children, but because I am human and make mistakes too. I want to make sure my precious babies are safe no matter what.
Just be Kind
We are all teaching our children to be kind. The best thing we can do is set a good example. (Even when they aren’t watching.) Don’t belittle another parent for using any device to help them be a better parent. We should instead support each other in whatever way possible.
