Busy, busy, busy!

The Carlin family has been full of mini adventures recently.

Stephen and I just celebrated our five year anniversary. We spent our actual anniversary in typical parent fashion, going to open house for pre-school and getting a new battery for one of the cars. Aren't we so romantic?

The next day the grandparents took the kids so that we could have a much needed break. Let me tell you, it DOES NOT STINK to be wealthy, even for one night. We were spoiled to a luxury suite at the Grand Hyatt by a dear friend that included champagne, fruit and cheese.

I wish that I could tell you all that we went to a swanky restaurant without the kids, but we really just ate at the hotel bar. I know that it was the GREATEST burger that I have ever eaten, and possibly in the top 10 meals I have ever had. (I think I am going to have to do a blog about food soon. God, I love food.)

It was so nice to not have the Disney Channel on, or to trip over toys, or have a kid climb in bed with us, even if for one night. I was able to relax in a bubble bath TWICE and take a nap. By far the best anniversary ever!

Connor had his first day of three year old pre-school on Monday. He is going five days a week this year, and love love loves it. (So do I!!!) He is tired afterwards, but is generally better behaved after getting away from us for half the day. In true Connor style, he was fine when we dropped him off while all the other kids were crying. However, when we picked him up he cried and cried because he didn't want to come home. He has made another child cry because he talked to her too much. She wasn't quite prepared for his level of energy, and he wasn't sure what to do because she wasn't answering him. The poor girl has the seat across the table from him all year. I hope she comes out of her shell or it will be a long year for the teacher...

The Problem with Parks...

The problem with parks, pools, play centers or generally anywhere for kids to run and play is that some mothers believe that the activity itself is a babysitter.
The rest of this blog will be dedicated to parents such as these, so if you don't want a lecture or don't want to hear me complain, you can leave now...

"We are at Monkey Joe's, so I am going to let my little angels govern themselves while I catch up on my reading." NO! Please take this as an opportunity to play with your children. Ride the slides with them, or race them through the obstacle course. Make sure that your child takes turns, and that he or she is being safe and considerate of others.

"Oh, a sprinkler playground... I am going to stuff my face and chat with other mothers while our children run unsupervised." This happened in front of me yesterday. The end result was that her child was being wild and accidentally knocked Avery flat on his cute, perfect face. Prior to getting his clock cleaned he was having a wonderful time.

The mother of the wild child had no idea that her son had knocked anyone over, nor any idea where he even was. When it was pointed out that her son had inadvertently hurt someone, she just said, "Oh," and went back to her conversation. She didn't apologize, or tell her child to take it easy, or EVEN LOOK TO SEE WHERE HE WAS.

We left and took Avery to Children's Healtcare Urgent Care,

where we are frequent flyers. Two hours later, after having

his face cleaned and numbed, and being sedated and stitched, we went home, where we were told that the same child knocked over another child and the mother was still OBLIVIOUS! No apology to the other family, no concern that her child was playing too rough.

I am not mad at the child. Accidents happen. Every single bit of frustration I have is directed at that mother. How will her child ever learn to have concern for others? Does he have a chance of growing up to be responsible, even his mother isn't?

Mothers like the one I encountered yesterday ruin everyone else's fun. Activities are not babysitters. They are learning and teaching experiences, and they are way more effective if the parents participate.