Susan GrahamThings I Shouldn't Admit - Part 2
November 7th 2009 11:06
I Lost A Kid
It wasn't mine, but I don't know if that's better or worse. Besides, I found him again.
Errr, well, his mom happened to find him first.
This happened to be a really, really bad thing, because....I was supposed to be watching said boy.
In my defense, I had told the mom that I would love to have little "Jimmy" over to play, but that I would be working. I also asked Jimmy's mom if it would be okay if the children played outside--even though I wasn't going to be watching them 100 percent. (The kids were 5 (hers) and mine (6), and had specific rules to follow including staying away from the front of the house.)
Anyway, mom okay'd the plan. I slipped into my den to work. I must note, my den has a rather big picture window where I sat. Every 5 minutes or so (well, let's say 10 or 15 minutes), I'd watch for the children, and sometimes call outside to check on them.
And this is where I made the mistake. I kept seeing my daughter cross in front of the window. She was obviously walking around the house. Well I didn't see Jimmy,and (sigh) I didn't worry about it the first two times my daughter passed the window alone.
I know. I know. I'm cringing just thinking about it. But my daughter didn't look distressed at all, which I assumed she would have been if her friend was hurt or missing. And I just made the assumption (albeit a bad one) that they were playing hide and seek and she was busying herself while she counted.
Anyhoo, after she passed by my window a third time--still alone, my panic kicked in. I ran outside and asked her where "Jimmy" was. Again, figuring she couldn't find him hiding in the woods or something. Well guess what!
She BURST into tears. Oh, s----!
Worse, before any of this fully processes in my brain, I see Jimmy's mom's car come barreling through the subdivision--yes, barreling (can you say 40 in a 15 mph zone) -- Double s---!
She pulls in my driveway and whaddaya know, her son pops out of the backseat with a big 'ol smile.
Mom? Smile's not so big. In fact, it's upside down and teeth are showing.
Turns out, little Jimmy saw his big brother playing at a neighbor's house and wasn't too happy to be left out, playing with a girl none-the-less. So without a word, he takes off down the street. My daughter, doesn't come in to tell me. Nope! Instead, she walks him down the street, apparently trying to convince him to come back, all while making sure he gets to his destination safely. Since she's too afraid to tell me when she gets back to the house alone, she spends the next ten minutes wandering around the house wondering what to do.
So, what I didn't know at the time, is told to me in detail by said unhappy mother.
Yikes! I'd love to say I handled this mishap with grace, but well, I floundered on that too.
I've never lost a kid before!!!!
For those that prefer a happy ending, Jimmy's mom and I both agreed we were grateful and lucky that nothing happened to either child. And we still talk. But sadly, I haven't watched her kids since.
Has anyone ever lost a kid before?? You can lie, and say yes, if you want to. I really don't want to be the only LOST Mommy out there.
It wasn't mine, but I don't know if that's better or worse. Besides, I found him again.
Errr, well, his mom happened to find him first.
This happened to be a really, really bad thing, because....I was supposed to be watching said boy.
In my defense, I had told the mom that I would love to have little "Jimmy" over to play, but that I would be working. I also asked Jimmy's mom if it would be okay if the children played outside--even though I wasn't going to be watching them 100 percent. (The kids were 5 (hers) and mine (6), and had specific rules to follow including staying away from the front of the house.)
Anyway, mom okay'd the plan. I slipped into my den to work. I must note, my den has a rather big picture window where I sat. Every 5 minutes or so (well, let's say 10 or 15 minutes), I'd watch for the children, and sometimes call outside to check on them.
And this is where I made the mistake. I kept seeing my daughter cross in front of the window. She was obviously walking around the house. Well I didn't see Jimmy,and (sigh) I didn't worry about it the first two times my daughter passed the window alone.
I know. I know. I'm cringing just thinking about it. But my daughter didn't look distressed at all, which I assumed she would have been if her friend was hurt or missing. And I just made the assumption (albeit a bad one) that they were playing hide and seek and she was busying herself while she counted.
Anyhoo, after she passed by my window a third time--still alone, my panic kicked in. I ran outside and asked her where "Jimmy" was. Again, figuring she couldn't find him hiding in the woods or something. Well guess what!
She BURST into tears. Oh, s----!
Worse, before any of this fully processes in my brain, I see Jimmy's mom's car come barreling through the subdivision--yes, barreling (can you say 40 in a 15 mph zone) -- Double s---!
She pulls in my driveway and whaddaya know, her son pops out of the backseat with a big 'ol smile.
Mom? Smile's not so big. In fact, it's upside down and teeth are showing.
Turns out, little Jimmy saw his big brother playing at a neighbor's house and wasn't too happy to be left out, playing with a girl none-the-less. So without a word, he takes off down the street. My daughter, doesn't come in to tell me. Nope! Instead, she walks him down the street, apparently trying to convince him to come back, all while making sure he gets to his destination safely. Since she's too afraid to tell me when she gets back to the house alone, she spends the next ten minutes wandering around the house wondering what to do.
So, what I didn't know at the time, is told to me in detail by said unhappy mother.
Yikes! I'd love to say I handled this mishap with grace, but well, I floundered on that too.
I've never lost a kid before!!!!
For those that prefer a happy ending, Jimmy's mom and I both agreed we were grateful and lucky that nothing happened to either child. And we still talk. But sadly, I haven't watched her kids since.
Has anyone ever lost a kid before?? You can lie, and say yes, if you want to. I really don't want to be the only LOST Mommy out there.
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