I have this thing about not leaving my children with people. Actually, both Henry and I do. It’s not that we don’t trust people, it’s just that we don’t trust them. Ya know what I mean? So there are very few people we leave them with. The whole Penn State scandal didn’t help matters.
I hear friends rave about how great family cruises are. How you can leave your kids in the cruise day-camp – or even leave them there in the evening to watch a movie while you’re at the evening entertainment…. um, yeah, right. Can’t do it. Just can not do it. About the only place I leave the kids is for an hour or two at the YMCA child-watch and the church nursery.
So when I overheard a conversation about the overnight camp out for Girls Scouts at a recent holiday dinner I about had a panic attack. You see, I just signed both our girls up for our local troop. And overall, I’m really looking forward to the girls being involved in such a great organization. They’re excited too.
I decided during that conversation I’d have to be one of the moms on the campout. Call me a freak or paranoid or over-zealous. I really don’t care. You can call me anything in the book because I’ll have you know there are three precious children who call me “mommy.” And here’s what they expect: to be loved.. to be taken care of… and to be protected.
So Henry and I are will continue our “it’s better safe than sorry” motto. Scouts Honor.
P.S. Anyone need Girl Scout cookies? Sales start soon!
(c) 2016 Leighann Marquiss
Comments (11)
I was always the same as you…I would not leave my kids with anyone but family. Yup, I completely understand what it is like to be an ole’ mother hen!~ And I think it is a crazy world… and yes, it is a mother’s job to protect those kiddos from harm. So have fun at the overnight camps! Ha! (:>)
I agree 100%! My kids are both very little still so I do not have to worry about sleepover/campouts yet, but when I do I am sure I will be a nervous wreak and be suggested sleepovers at *our* house and be the first in line to camp (though I dislike camping). My kids have been watched by my family only and have never had a night way from us. It just does not feel comfortable. Keep going with the mommy and daddy instinct that God gave you and keep those babies close you will know when the right time to allow them to go alone is!
Ha I have been the same way with all 5 of my children. I just recently let my 14yr go on overnight youth group things and I do trust my church family with all my heart. I have always been that way and it always will.
But as for me I have to draw the line at an overnight with 20 screaming little kids with high pitched screams and giggles and hopped up on sugar, daddy gets that gift!
oh boy, cookies sound great. Tell them they can call me 🙂 I’ll only order if they ask me personally 🙂 (mainly I just want to hear their sweet little voices haha)
I am with you on this. And, just to further your paranoia, there is a blogger who shared how her child was molested by the church nursery worker….sorry for adding to your woes, but not really, snakes hide everywhere.
Your best defence is to be frank with your kids, have the no touching talk, that it is ok to scream, hit and not be polite if anyone tries to touch who is not on the touching-list (parents, doctor only).
If the statistics are right, 1 in 4 girls are molested, sadly usually by someone in their close circle, then we parents have to be vigilant.
No apologies motto: I can trust you when I see you, otherwise, I can’t. That keeps it really simple.
mj
I heard an interesting quote the other day “is it paranoia if you’re right?” I totally understand & the statistics and news stories back you up too.
Also, I will take some cookies for sure.
-Katie
Unfortunately, you have to be careful even with family, too. Children are gifts God has given to us. Protect away! : )
We are like that too. Often getting ‘made fun of’ by family for being so protective. Lauren had a birthday party she was invited to of a family we didnt know. I had to stage a 3 day detective inquiry before allowing her to go.
In this day…cant be too careful.
never left any of mine either ….just the way it was. And I was always glad my mother was one of those on the girl scout trips. Youre a good mother!
Hey…do you deliver cookies? My daughter attends Chatham….and you know I live on the Eastern Shore!
@Gigi – I will deliver anywhere within the Pittsburgh, PA area. If you’re willing to wait til Easter, I will deliver to the Hagerstown MD area!