Usually controversial topics aren't my thing but this Harambe thing has me just a little riled up. I write this blog as therapy, a way to reflect. As a way to be
thoughtful of my parenting and to let my children know how much I
love them. Because this will be old news in two weeks, I'm going get this written down now.
A mother and her 4 year old son (some sites say 3) were at the Cincinnati Zoo. The boy made his way into the gorilla exhibit. He was in the exhibit with the gorilla for several minutes. A zoo staff member, in the best interest of the boy's safety, killed the gorilla. Now, there's a great deal of other information floating around the internet that I'm not sure is true or not. All of it is rather irrelevant to make my point.
Here are some comments I've read regarding the incident:
So there was the celebrity: "Shame on those for the murdering of #Harambe" -Kelly Osbourne
Also the person who very likely has no experience or further education in animal behavior but is a clear animal expert: "no it wasn't safest for the child the gorilla was protecting the child. yes he drug him through the water but thats how they do there kind it was a shamless murder" (I'm pretty sure that was supposed to be shameless, and never mind the grammar-remember, these aren't my words)
The non-parent with parenting advice: "I just think that if you are a parent there are baby leashes that leash your children you can't control."
The person that has no sympathy for children that aren't as well behaved as her own: "Sorry. My kids never even wanted to misbehave in that manner at the zoo! My sympathy goes with the primate, he was endangered the kid wasn't. The parents need to compensate the zoo for their loss!!"
The perfect parents: "My kids NEVER left my side at that age!! They were ALWAYS holding my hand!! I ALWAYS made sure they were by my side in the mall, at the zoo, at the park, etc." A comment from another followed, "Absolutely!! I have three and they NEVER wandered off and NEVER left my sight!!"
When these things happen I can't help but wonder how my children would react and how they would feel when they're old enough to respond in a public forum. What I hope, hope, hope my grown children say and feel in response to this incident:
What a tragic accident.
Thank God that little boy walked away alive.
I empathize with that family. Something that could have happened to anyone, in their case, had tragic consequences.
Thankfully, the zoo employee had that child's best interest in mind. May he be at peace knowing he did what he thought was best.
What a sobering reminder of how vigilant we have to be in watching our children.
I'll use this to remind my children of how important it is to mind and follow directions, especially at places away from home.
Because honestly-don't be so negative. And if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.
There was someone that commented, and even though I don't agree with her-she was right. I couldn't find exactly what she said but this covers the idea. There was an article on Scary Mommy basically defending the mother as people are calling to have her investigated for child neglect. There were many mothers defending with comments that we've all made mistakes and lost track of our kids for just a split second. The person I'm referring to commented to say that yes, we probably have all lost sight of our kids for a second BUT-if this child had been with a baby sitter, a teacher, a child care provider we would all be singing a different tune about how that provider should have been more careful and diligent in keeping watch of that child.
She's probably right.
I thought back to last year when a child drowned at a local swim school (which, by the way, solidified our decision not to put in a pool). Many parents were outraged that such a thing could happen. I wasn't. I was VERY sad, but not outraged. Accidents happen. A child slipping out of sight does not equate to negligence. It just doesn't. Negligence is when no one is even bothering to look for the missing child.
There doesn't ALWAYS have to be someone to blame and pay the price. Sometimes there are just tragic accidents.
Kids are up now, so I'm off to talk to Gage about this.
I hope to be back sooner than later.
Love.
