In the news recently, there have been two incidents of children getting caught in terrible situations, both the Harambe, the gorilla incident, and the Disney World alligator event. These were both two awful things that will break your heart for the parents, children, and families involved. These incidents were accidental, emotional, terrifying, awful, and eye-opening. In my opinion, the focus of these events should be on supporting and uplifting the families and friends involved in the situation. Unfortunately, the majority of what has transpired after these events is hate. Hate towards zookeepers, hate towards parents, hate towards people with other opinions and hate towards people that honestly didn't have much control over anything that happened.
Kids are quick. One second they are there and the next they're gone. Anyone that has babysat, has children or has even watched children in a grocery store should know these things. Kids can be mischievous, but kids are a joy to have around and they bring more light into your world than any other trivial matter ever will. It's time to stop hating and shaming the parents of these two situations, especially if you have no experience with children.
No one is perfect, me and you included. That goes to say no parent is perfect either. But that doesn't give anyone, and I mean anyone, the right to judge, criticize or blame parents when they don't do something exactly the way you would have handled it. I honestly don't know what I would have done if my future child fell into a gorilla exhibit, nor would I know how I would react if my future child was taken into the water by an alligator. No one should be judging these parents involved in these situations! Until you have been put in those situations, or unless you were there as a witness, you don't know what it is like, and I honestly hope no one has to experience those things.
What these families and parents need at this time is not hate and shaming and advice and ''well, I would've done this'', and ''it's all your fault'. Things happen and sometimes we don't know why. Hindsight is 20/20 and everyone becomes an expert when they aren't the ones in the situation. This isn't fair to the grieving and recovering parents. These parents need love, support, condolences, care, kindness, and time to recover. Losing a child, or experiencing something that endangers the life of your child must be a very hard, dark thing to wrap your mind around. I can guarantee the parents in these situations are being hard enough on themselves and we don't need everyone else throwing their three cents in.
You parent however you want, and let others parent the way they want. Breastfeeding may work for you, but don't shame another woman who chooses to formula feed. You may want your kids in public school so you can pursue a career, but don't shame the stay at home mom who is homeschooling her children. Stop judging other people's parenting style and skills! It isn't right nor is it fair. My mom would lock me outside in the summer with nothing but a water hose and popsicles when my brothers and I would be too loud and rambunctious, and this didn't scar or harm me. Some of my best memories come from those experiences. Some people today may call it 'neglect', but that's the furthest thing from the truth.
Everyone has a voice and the right to use it. It is a founding core principle of this great nation. All I am saying is that we need to think before we speak, especially in times where we don't know the whole story and we don't know what a person or family is going through.
Prayers to the parents and families to those involved in the recent tragedies. Send them love not hate, criticism, and judgment.
