So after the kids' audiologist appointment I took the kids to McDonalds. The only people in the playplace were two mothers and their four boys, probably all between the ages of 6 and 8. The minute we walked in, one of the boys immediately yelled out, "Lets get the baby!" And they all proceed to follow Carter around. At first I wasn't worried about it, cause they weren't touching him, but then I started hearing things like, "You get the boy and I'll get the girl," and "Get em guys, get em!" and "Kill the babies!" All lead by this one particular boy. So the other boys dutifully followed Abby and Carter around constantly, and turned it into a hunting game. Meanwhile, I could hear the two mothers, who were out of sight, just chatting away, no clue what their hoodlum boys were doing. It made me really upset. I know boys like to play those kinds of games, but I didn't like it that they were including my children, who had no clue what these kids were threatening.
At one point they had both of my kids completely surrounded in one of the enclosed common areas. One of the kids accidently tripped Carter and the "leader" shouted out, "Trip the baby! I'm going to count to ten and if you don't trip the baby, I'm gonna get all of you!" At that point I walked over to them and said, "If you touch my kids, I'm telling your moms." They stopped, but started back up again after a while, watching me the whole time and laying off when I gave them dirty looks. They were making me so upset, but I've never been in this situation before, so I didn't know if it would be an appropriate time to go over and talk to the moms. I had a feeling, based on their lack of interest in what they were doing, that they would blow it off and say, aw, they're just being boys.
And then there's more. As we were leaving, Abby and Carter stopped to say hello (durned social children) to two ladies sitting in a booth. One of the ladies asked me about their hearing aids and I told them all about it, and she proceeded to tell me that if I would read one particular passage of scripture over and over, and pray, God would heal my children. (I never asked her what the scripture was.) She said that she had brain damage, and she found this scripture and read it over and over again and prayed and she was miraculously healed. And so I told her that I felt that maybe the Lord would "heal" them by them getting cochlear implants one day, insinuating that maybe it wasn't the Lords will for them to be miraculouly healed. And she kept pressing the issue insisting that God could do more than that and heal them instantly if we would only have faith. *sigh* I just wanted to say, do you know how many times I prayed for the Lord to heal my children? TRUST. ME. Its not because I don't have the faith, or haven't prayed enough, or haven't read the scriptures enough. I know God has the ability to heal. I know it happens, and I truly believe in miracles. I even know that if He wanted to, He could genetically alter my children so that their hearing could be restored. But I also know that He has a plan for each one of us, and this is a trial that we were meant to have. I have accepted and embraced that fact, and my testimony and love for the Savior has grown through this trial. I almost wanted to tell her, "I don't WANT my kids to be healed," because I wouldn't change one single thing about my children. They are beautiful, AMAZING people, and they don't need to be fixed.
Certianly I'm not the only one that's had a weird experience at McDonalds. What's yours?
19 comments:
i just wanted to puke after reading this. i would have wanted to rip those little snots' heads off. And that woman? What the heck is the matter with her? I don't think her "faith and prayer" healed her brain damage after all. And i just hate it when people try to turn Heavenly Father into some magical Santa Claus if only you say the right magic words (their strange version of "faith"). What a complete idiot.
okay---1st off I would not be as nice as you! When P was little I had a few situations where I did have to say things to older kids. (Like when one kept pulling on his shirt at a play place and trying to drag him all over) I was not nice...and they usually listened. One case I did talk to a Mom. those boys were not being NORMAL! Boys do not threaten and be mean to babies! P would never in a million years do that to little toddlers or babies (even before L was born). ANd IF my child was doing something mean and I didn't see it I would LOVE for another Mother to come over and tell me.
Of course on the other hand those mother's sound CRAZY--from what they told you:( I could have probably have left in tears after that! GGGEEEEZZZZ---you had a hard day!
I don't have any McDonald's stories, but I have a religious fanatic story... At Lucas's baby dedication in October, our pastor alluded to the fact that Lucas is deaf, and my husband mentioned that we would be getting a cochlear implant. After church, these two 16 year old kids ran up to us, and told us that we needed to think twice before operating, because he just needed to be prayed over. I humored them and let them pray over him, and they reminded us to have his hearing checked again before "we put him under the knife." I was infuriated. If it were so simple, wouldn't we have already done that? You're right, they don't need to be "fixed". Love your blog, I found it through someone's blogroll.
Sorry, for some reason my comment published twice, so I deleted one...
I haven't had strange moments at McDonald's but I have raised boys and if any of them ever acted the way you are telling about, I would want to know so that I could deal with it immediately. I would have told their mothers the minute the word "kill" was uttered. That is where it went beyond fun. Tripping little people on purpose also goes beyond 'boys will be boys'. I, too, have had a moment with a religious fanatic though. When Kim was a baby, we went back to visit my mother in the little hick town I came from. We were at the store and I was showing my beautiful baby off. I was asked about her tiny size and explained that she is a dwarf. A woman I only knew slightly said to me that she KNEW that God did not want my baby to be this way and offered to 'pray over' her. At that time, I didn't have much religious knowledge or experience and so the need to be polite made me allow her to pray over Kim. I didn't mind the praying, although the tone of it was overly pleading for my taste, but like you, I didn't think Kim needed to be 'fixed'. She was healthy and sweet and I felt like what difference did it make if she was short? Like you, I wouldn't change Kim if I could. She wouldn't be herself and I love her just that way. By the way, I love your kids too. They are so much fun and so full of life and so sweet. What more could we ask for them?
Oh, you had better be glad that I wasn't at McDonald's with you! I would have totally yelled at those boys the moment they said trip or kill. Then, I would go straight to the moms and tell them to get their boys in check or I would find the manager. I have no problem doing that. The only horror stories I have at McDonald's is a parent coming INTO the playplace with Tommy and telling me that they found him in the PARKING LOT! I don't mind it when other parents interfere, especially when the safety of children is involved.
if evan ever said those things I would have been absolutely mortified. I would have yelled at those boys without a doubt. it makes me mad just reading that. I would have said how would you like it if I tripped you ya little punk.....ugh, this is why I dont like people!
Being a dwarf sometimes seems to be a magnet for religious zealots or rude people. Wearing two hearing aids, at times, only adds to the "stare, whisper, comment, question, stare" routine.
You and Brian are fantastic parents with amazing kids. All of this will make your kids stronger and able to recognize others needs and gifts as they grow up. To look past the exterior and recognize the spirit of someone rather than the shell.
I went through phases of resenting my differences, praying for things to change, but now I know this blesses me in numerous ways. Abby and Carter are lucky they have each other and your families!
As for those boys at McDonald's...ugh...those parents need to pay more attention to what their children are doing. Ugh.
Forget the moms--next time tell them you're calling your FBI agent brother! Or your 6'5" 280 lb. nephew.
Oh, my! We've had some interesting times on the McDonald's playground, but nothing quite as "Lord of the Flies" as your experience! If it were my kid causing trouble, I would want to know. Still, it's hard to believe that none of the mothers had any clue that their kids were up to no good! Some people.
There are people out there who believe that God is a vending machine, and if you put the prayer quarter in, you get whatever miracle you want. These same people have never had challenges in their own lives, and have developed rather poor character as a result!
I totally had a glimpse into the future of these boys torturing small animals and becoming serial killers. Where in the WORLD do they develop this tribal mentality??? And their mom sitting completely clueless? You should have said something to the Moms. I probably wouldn't have the nerve, but I would have at least left as fast as I could! That's the most insane thing I have ever heard. I'd stick to Chick-fil-a if I were you!
My downstairs neighbor tried to "save" me one time, when I was with John when we were dating. It's always creepy, no matter who does it.
Shame on ALL of them! Those boys were completely in the wrong. I don't believe in the 'boys will be boys' mentality. Right is right and wrong is wrong whether you are a boy or a girl. Anytime there are older kids around my own, my eyes and ears our out like a hawk. Next time I'm sure you'll know more of what to say to the boys and the moms. If I were the mom, I would be mortified if my son was involved in something like that. That was ridiculous.
As far as the lady, I think you're wonderful for not letting it effect you too much. Thank heavens for our understanding of a loving Heavenly Father and the Plan He has for us.
This just make even more happy that we never go to McDonalds. It also makes he hope for a girl even more.
I hate going to play places for this reason. I mean, Mary loves them and the other kids being bullies does not seem to affect her... but I get real mad, real quick! I had a couple girls at Chick-Fil-A being mean to Mary a little while back... and the parents were not even in the room... they were out enjoying their meal. So, I started intervening and sending dirty looks out to the moms. Geez!
As for Sunday, I think we are coming. It will be good to see you all!
Wow! I am so sorry. I dont know what I would do in that postition. I know it would be really hard not to slap those boys. Those moms were totally in the wrong for not doing anything.
Why is it that smaller/younger kids and those with "disabilities" seem to have a stamp on their forehead that says "Pick on me"? I'm with Marianne. There is wrong and there is right. You could talk to the moms, but I'd guess that you would've been right about their reaction. I'd feel more comfortable getting after the kids anyway. The other option is to accompany your kids through the playplace. Seems a little odd, I know. But your adult bulk may be enough to ward off any further bullying. Besides, then you're close enough to rip heads off if necessary. :)
As a mom of two boys (one of whom is a BOY boy), I never would have let my children stalk your kids. I watch my boys like a hawk in that situation, just to make sure that they are being good.
And, I've gotten the whole 'healing' thing over and over again- typically from well-meaning older people, but it's always such an ackward thing. I kinda think my kids are fine how they are. I'm in agreement w/ you!
You are way too nice! Sam and I both would have said something. Most likely those were the prissy kind of moms who think their kids are perfect in every way and fail to notice they are BRATS!
Post a Comment