A F-ING SPRINKLERS GOOD MORNING!!! to you all! Yup, Forward Ambulation this morning (no morning jits today) had me in deep thoughts. Then, someone’s stupid sprinkler decides to automatically come on. “Startled” is an understatement. That action received a stern “FAWK!”
What Would You Do Wednesday Ed-vise today. Cause it’s WEDNESDAY! And I do love WEDNESDAYS!
LOST!
No, not the TV show…which was really cool…at least the ones I watched and the ones Pops would give a rundown with Spousal Support Unit from time to time.
I’m talking LOST in a crowd.
As an “adult” having an idea and a smartphone really helps. It did me when I got lost my first time in Dubai.
How about your kid? Do they know what to do if they get separated from you?
One time, when I was like really young (can’t remember the age) mom took me and sis to Knotts Berry Farm. For those who don’t know, that is a theme park that was originally a berry farm. It actually is a pretty cool place but I don’t think the “Gold Panning” thing gives real gold anymore.
Anyway…
We were doing the stroll through the park. It was a summer day. They used to have an arcade with all the video games of the time…mostly pinball. A shooting gallery as well.
Bells and lights lured me into the caverns of fun to see what it was all about. I must have become mesmerized by whatever I was looking at because I did not notice that I had left mom and sis. They just kept walking.
I stepped out into the sun and low and behold…no mom…no sis. I was, for lack of a better word…LOST!
A bit of panic as I really didn’t know what to do or who to talk to. I think I exited the park at one point into the parking lot. Then came back in. Wandered around a bit more. Then, did what any young kid at that age would do: CRIED!
It was the only thing I could think of.
Knott’s folks came and helped out. They took me to their security booth and did a page across the park. Nice and loud. For everyone to hear. To include mom and sis.
Mom showed up. Mom has red hair and, lets say, from time to time, an anger management issue. Apparently, at that time, I triggered her anger management issue.
To say the least…she was PISSED!
Red in the face. Not a bit of relief on her face of seeing her “baby boy” safe. Nope. Straight up RAGE. With a capital “R.”
I think we had been at the park for like 2 hours maybe. She took the liberty of beating me all the way back to the car. Sis was disappointed in me as well since I ruined the Knott’s Day for her.
Safe to say I don’t think mom even made sure I was buckled up before she tore out of the parking lot.
I smile looking back. GAWD she was pissed. I don’t think she could have hit me hard enough to make her feel better. And, at that time, there were no cameras to post that on social media. She probably would have gotten a ton of likes.
What Would You Do if your kid came up missing in a crowd?
Kids get distracted pretty damn easy. Do they have a plan? Do you have a plan? Do you get distracted and forget about your kid? Forget that they are supposed to keep a hand in your pocket while walking in a crowd?
Couple ideas perhaps to help.
One, have them move to one of those planter decorations somewhere and climb up on it. They can look for you and you can look for them.
Two, pre-designate who to talk to or where to meet. Even County Fairs have employees. Point them out to the kids that the employees are OK to talk to. Police wander around as well. Point them out.
Three, let them know not to go to the parking lot without you. No, no, no exceptions.
Most important, DON’T PANIC. Panic makes you pissed at your kid.
I’m just saying
That’s it for today. Be the person a stranger will do CPR on. Check in on each other and remember bananas do not go to school when they don’t…PEEL GOOD! BWAHAHAHAHAHHA…get it?
Peace
Ed-vise 