This Is Why I Am An Over-Protective Paranoid Mom

The Hubby and I took the boys (4 & 2) to this cool little State Park on Sunday. It was a place John's family frequented when he was younger. The water is warm and shallow for a very long way out, and there was a very gradual slope. So it was great for the boys. I didn't have to worry about them getting too deep, too fast. We staked out our spot on the sand next to the water and proceeded to dump out our sand toys.

We had been there about an hour when I noticed this little girl down the beach screaming and wailing very loudly. I watched her for a minute to see if someone - her parents - came to her aid. No one. So I got up and walked over to her. She was hysterical and had the look of fear in her face. I was trying to calm her down so I could talk to her and find out where her mommy or daddy was. She was maybe 4. Another little girl, about 6, came over and was talking to her. I inquired if they knew each other and I was informed that they were sisters. Then yet another girl about 2 came over and said "She crying".

I asked the older of the three girls where their mommy and daddy were and she informed me that they went to get some mangoes. Huh? She then proceeded to tell me what a mango was. "That's great. But where are your parents?" "They are out there" as she points out in the lake. I look out and see two individuals waving. They weren't just a few feet out in the water... they were way the heck out there.

Finally, the mom starts walking toward us. When she gets to us she says "Thank you, she does this all the time." She then starts doing some pretty evasive maneuvers to get away from me. As I walk away I hear her tell the girls "I told you to lay down over there".

Seriously??? Where was the DNR officer or police officer I saw walking the beach earlier??? They are never around when you really need them.

Am I alone by being completely appalled by the behavior of these parents? Who knows what could have happened to their kids while they were out in the lake. It was a crowded beach. Anyone could have scooped them up and taken off with them. Or the girls could have drowned or run away.

My other issue is the "non-involved" attitudes of the other people at the beach. There were so many people that looked at that little girl crying and turned the other way and didn't give her a second thought.

I had my 2 year old get away from me one afternoon and run into a parking lot. Right by 3 adults who looked at him and laughed. Not one of them thought it was a bad idea for a 2 year old to be running in a parking lot by himself???

What happened in our society that we don't look out for the well-being of other people - children especially. Are we really that self centered? Or is it that we are so scared to "get involved" because of what might happen.

I don't go through life assuming other people will look after my kids so I don't have to... But it is nice to know that "in the event" someone out there is willing to step up and lend a hand to a stranger. I am constantly being told that I need to lighten up... But I guess this is one area where I refuse to be a "slacker mom".