Are We Bad Parents? (iTunes Giveaway)

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Last night Mr. MK and I, left our nine year old standing outside in -20 degree weather, in the dark with no hat or mittens and drove away!

no harm done

Let me explain …

Then again, it’s all been said on facebook, so I am just going to copy the conversation here (my friends names have been changed to protect the innocent).

Status: MommyKnows thinks Mr. MK & I deserve the worst parenting award! 8:50pm – 14 Comments

MTT at 8:53pm December 17
Oh oh, which one did you break?

MommyKnows at 8:55pm December 17
We left Lizzy at the school after her concert! I guess her door wouldn’t open so she couldn’t get in the truck. Obviously we didn’t notice and when we got home … she wasn’t with us! We turned around to go back but she was pretty much home! No gloves, hat, it’s DARK, it’s COLD! We suck!!

MTT at 9:00pm December 17
I bet she had some nice things to say to you guys!

NMH at 9:04pm December 17
We have all been there…
After a soccer game this summer we all got out of the car and left Adam (6) behind. He could not unlock the door because his hands were full of sunscreen and he didn’t know about the unlock button. I found him a few minutes later hiding in the car….hiding because he was afraid the police would find him and put me in jail for leaving him in the car alone.

IIT at 9:04pm December 17
omg… that is too funny. But not like funny “ha ha”, just funny. Poor thing. I hope she is ok.

MommyKnows at 9:13pm December 17
@NMH – Thanks :) poor guy!
@IIT – I actually started to laugh, because I’m awful like that! Will nearly started to cry, because he’s nice like that. Lizzy was running down the road … all red faced and cold! She’s fine and thought we were playing a joke on her :(

GB at 9:56pm December 17
Poor Lizzy….i guess she’d better come live at Auntie’s house. Sounds like she’ll be OK, even tho’ you did laugh at her ;(

MommyKnows at 10:02pm December 17
Hahaha … I couldn’t help it! We checked the whole suburban, I thought she was hiding. Then Will said, “she has to be here, I was talking to her!” I burst out laughing. I was laughing at us! I actually felt bad for her and her red little face :(

GB at 10:36pm December 17
Tell Will that talking to someone and getting no response might possibly indicate the person is not present. :)

KS at 2:04am December 18
OOPs, only having the 1 helps avoid this kind of thing! But D was away last night and W and I woke up this morning at 8.25, W starts school at 8.40. Cereal bar in the car and money to buy lunch! OOOPS

SB at 5:22am December 18
You’re all terrible lol….sounds like a movie script

JA at 7:50am December 18
You need to blog this one!

KS at 8:59am December 18
I see the kids got a ride to school this a.m., that has got to count for something!

MommyKnows at 11:05am December 18
Yes that is what you call a — GUILT Trip (pun intended).

Are we bad parents? Ummm … on second thought, don’t answer that! What’s your worst parenting oops?

***
All comments and back-links for this post will be entered to win a $25 iTunes Card (includes shipping and handling) in my $25 iTunes Giveaway. If you comment and blog about the Giveaway you’ll receive two entries (too easy). I’ll randomly choose the winner on December 22nd, 2008 @ 9 p.m. –> make sure to come by and enter often.

MK xo
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29 Comments

Naomi · December 18, 2008 at 7:57 pm

I think it’s great that she started home by herself. Resourceful girl!

Naomi’s last blog post..Later, SK8R

Heather@It'sTwinsanity · December 18, 2008 at 9:34 pm

Was she watching as you drove away?

Don’t worry, I have to do a head count when I go anywhere because I’m sure I’ll leave someone behind. It’s bound to happen!

Heather@It’sTwinsanity’s last blog post..Flashback

MommyKnows · December 18, 2008 at 9:48 pm

@ Naomi – Yes, it’s only about 4 blocks (1/3 of a mile)

@ Heather – Yep, she’s always pulling on the door handle at the same time as you hit the unlock, I guess the door didn’t open — we didn’t notice and just drove off without her! She was right beside the car! I was in the passenger seat and she was getting in right behind me.

Hannah · December 18, 2008 at 10:44 pm

Oops!! I’ve never left a child behind, but I’m sure I have done other awful things that would qualify me for the worst parent award. I dropped Ethan when he was only a few days old (I was still trying to get the hang of holding him … obviously didn’t have it down pat, LOL)
Anyway, I’m glad Lizzy is okay and just thought you were playing a trick on her. You won’t be paying for therapy when she’s older!

Hannah’s last blog post..Moving on up

Michelle · December 18, 2008 at 11:49 pm

Our worst parenting moment – well I think there is a tie for them

1. We came in from getting groceries and our son who was probably about 6 months fell asleep in the car. We unloaded the groceries and each of us thought the other had brought him in. Luckily it was not too hot in the van and I realized in about 20 minutes that he was not in the house.

2. I was out picking grapes in the neighbors yard with our 2 year old and knew they had a rat trap in the yard. I moved it to where it wasn’t as noticeable. But when I picking a little further ahead our son stuck his finger in it. I am still surprised that nothing got broke or severed.

Heidi · December 19, 2008 at 6:26 am

Well, I guess it’s hard to remember everything. I haven’t forgotten any of my kids YET! I’m sure it’ll happen. But I do remember my sister and brother getting forgotten at church growing up. Not hard to do though when you have 5 kids and more than one car with which to ride in.

Anastasia · December 19, 2008 at 6:29 am

no you are not bad parents. things happen :)

Jenn B · December 19, 2008 at 7:38 am

i have some time to add more i’m sure since my kids are only 2 & 3, but thus far to my recollection, my ‘worst parent award moments’ are both seatbelt related. When my son was newborn (& i had ‘newborn fuzz brain’) i once drove through a parking lot with his door still open, thankfully when i got to the road, i saw it & got out & shut it. Then i got home & realized he was also not buckled into his carseat. I cried long & hard (as any new, post-pardem mom would, lol).

second was also my son, driving to chik-fil-a for his 3rd birthday party. just forgot to buckle him. didn’t cry this time when i realized it, but i did feel horrible & got that “sick to my stomach” drop feeling. ever since then any time i almost forget he is quick to remind me. Such a little “rule-follower”. give him a rule & he will generally beat it into the ground & make sure everyone around him follows it too…

Jenn B’s last blog post..Twitter Updates

John Yeo · December 19, 2008 at 10:23 am

I think you are not bad parents. Things happen now and then, unexpectedly and we never know what will happen next.

I think a headcount helps whenever we leave a place. =)

John Yeo’s last blog post..5 Relaxation Techniques For Stress Management – Excellent Tip for Brides-to-be

Ashley · December 19, 2008 at 12:13 pm

Haha, oh dear. I don’t think that makes you a bad parent I think it makes you a normal one. My Mom left me at 3 in the bank….all of us Mommy’s wind up with full brains sometimes and unfortunately those things happen.

The only way you’d earn bad parent title is if you didn’t notice she was gone when you got home and went to bed….that might not look so good.

Have a Merry Christmas and don’t worry, I’m sure Santa won’t hold it against you.

Ashley’s last blog post..Even Scrooge Says Merry Christmas at the end.

Jamie · December 19, 2008 at 12:48 pm

Oh man! LOL! that IS a good one!

Our worst parenting moment? Hmmm.. I’m sure there are many, but I have somehow managed to block most of them out of my head. heh heh heh. We’ve walked out of the house without the baby in the carseat before. OOOOOOOO, how about the time when we had taken all the carseats out of the van, Ja had put them back in. The next day, I buckled everyone up, and drove to whereever we were going. We got there, and taking Talya out of the seat, I thought, hm, he didn’t put it in very tight… it wasn’t buckled to the van seat at all! YEESH! Needless to say, I give it a good shake whenever we go anywhere now!

Jamie’s last blog post..It’s just a mug.

Cindi · December 19, 2008 at 1:40 pm

I would have been wondering why she was so quiet! When both of my sons were very young, I can’t tell you how many times I locked my keys in the van!
I was so out of it, I couldn’t even hear the buzzer going off telling me the keys were in the ignition. Your daughter is okay and that is all that matters. Take care, Cindi

Amy @ Living Locurto · December 19, 2008 at 2:57 pm

OMG! You’re crazy:-) Was she totally scared? She’ll never let you live this one down. LOL!

I have a few friends who have locked their kids in the car. Scary when you’re in 100 degree Texas weather. They were right there and knew it happened though. One’s back hatch was open, so at a stop light in a really busy intersection, she got out to shut it. When she went back to let herself in, as the light was changing to green, the door was locked!! Her baby was stuck in a running car in his car seat with her cell phone, purse and everything else. EEK! She waved someone down to use their phone and the police had to come help her.

At least you didn’t have to call the police. I don’t think you’re a bad parent until police have to get involved. ha!!

Amy @ Living Locurto’s last blog post..Friday Inspiration

Madeline · December 19, 2008 at 4:53 pm

Nice one! It’s always good to know that other parents are human.

Madeline’s last blog post..Teething Update

kategvt · December 19, 2008 at 7:36 pm

i feel bad for Amy @ Living Locurto friend! my sister in law locked her sleeping 2 year old in her new car…with the keys…at her mom’s wedding…it was hot…boy, that was scary!

i haven’t forgotten my lil man…but i have forgotten to fasten his carseat…TWICE! thank goodness he TOLD me a few miles into the trip. I felt like an awful mom, until i remembered when i was a kid i’d lay on the “back well” of our car and stare out the back window! now those were the days!

Deanne S. · December 19, 2008 at 10:06 pm

That’s funny, if you are like me, you were probably just enjoying a peaceful ride too much to notice!! Funny.
I can’t think of my “worst” moment right now…I’ll have to get back to you, but I can share my mom’s (I’m sure she’ll thank me). We were driving home from getting groceries, and my mom had an antique car with no seatbelts, she didn’t realize my sister (who was about 8) hadn’t closed the door properly, and when we turned the corner my sister was leaning on the door and rolled right out of the car! Luckily she wasn’t hurt, but my mom is still just sick about it when we bring it up! My husband’s worst moment: Locking our 2 year old in the running van at the mailbox that is about 1 KM down the road….he had to run all the way home, and break into the house to get the spare key (I was in the hospital after having our second son)! Good thing I can remember other people’s bad moments…none of mine come to mind ;)

180/360 · December 20, 2008 at 1:27 am

I feel guilty for laughing at this story! I’ve not exactly left a child anywhere (YET,) but I’ve lost them temporarily and that level of panic is unlike any other. I think that this stuff is bound to happen when we are parents — don’t beat yourself up! At least she’s a smart girl. :)

180/360’s last blog post..To Cleanse the Palate

lace · December 20, 2008 at 10:39 pm

I can’t think of anything terrible. I’m not a parent yet either so I don’t have any bad parent moments. I probably have some bad aunt moments though.

Just thought of one. I was with my friends and their little girl (I was their nanny) We were getting ready to leave but were still loading the car. I put the 3 year old (I think she was 3) into the car. Somehow the door got shut and the child got locked in the running car. I’m a little fuzzy on the details, but I think it was the child’s mother who shut the door. No one had extra keys and we could not get in. It took about 5-7 minutes but we finally got the child to roll down a window so we could unlock the car. It was a good thing she wasn’t buckled into her seat yet.

lace’s last blog post..“Only Hearts Club” at Simple

adnan@modern furniture · December 21, 2008 at 7:36 am

She is really a brave girl… and do not say u are bad parents, these happens in families… no wirres.
By the way… she is really cute, looks like a cute doll!! :D

Brooke · December 22, 2008 at 9:01 am

It all worked out in the end. I measure all parenting that way. :)

One Scrappy Gal · December 22, 2008 at 8:03 pm

Poor kid!

But you know what… moments like these build character!! Just think…. she won’t grow up to pick her nose and swill beer because she was once left behind. Or something…

I love her eyes. They are gorgeous.

Now… a totally random song…

I bet we’ve been together
for a million years
and I know we’ll be together
for a million more

shalala laaaaa

One Scrappy Gal’s last blog post..***MEEPoleep*

Lisa · December 23, 2008 at 11:16 pm

My mom left me locked in the bathroom at a gas station when I was 8. We stopped to get gas I went to the bathroom and the door got stuck. I could not get out and she drove off without me. Luckily we only lived 5 minutes away and she noticed I was missing as soon as she got home. I was still locked in the restroom when she came back to get me. I eventually forgave her:)

I also have to admit to forgetting to buckle my kids and shut thier doors. They buckle the top themselves and by time I get to third seat sometimes I forget who I have buckled. Luckily they tell me before I get going. We also have automatic doors so if I forget I can just push the button for it to close.

Felix · December 24, 2008 at 11:55 am

Once I’ve losted my little sister, it was terrible but everything was fine, because she went to play with other children at the other place. Now 10 years past but I still affraid to lost her:(

Alan Breen · December 28, 2008 at 12:31 am

My brother and his family were driving to their vacation; everyone in the car was asleep but him. He stopped at a rest area around 2am, got out to use the rest room, his wife woke up and took the kids to the restroom just in case.

He came back to the car and didn’t bother to look in the back seat – his wife had been asleep in the center seat so she could be near the kids. Yes; he drove off and left his family in the restroom. It was 2.5 hours later before he realized they were not in the car. Needless to say, he freaked out turned around and drove like a bat out of hell getting back to that same ole rest area he had left nearly 3 hours ago. This was before the era of cell phones.

He will never be able to take a trip again without making sure everyone is in the car before he leaves any location. It’s funny now, but his wife didn’t think so at the time!!!

Happy New Year

Alan Breen’s last blog post..Wyeth Pharmaceuticals suffers a reverse in the Little Rock breast cancer case

Linda@Baby Items · December 31, 2008 at 10:41 pm

Not sure if this is bad parenting but it is pretty funny afterwards. My son is 2 years old and I was in a room fixing some stuff and he was playing at the door. He likes to close the door and open it. Somehow he managed to lock the door from the outside (the small indoor key was in the lock). I was home alone with him and it is a pretty robust door. Imagine my fear when i discovered i couldnt get out.

I spent 2 hours trying to talk my son into turning the key again but I he got bored and went playing with his toys i think. After 2 hours my husband came home luckily.

Linda@Baby Items’s last blog post..Dangerous Baby Car Seats

James · January 3, 2009 at 10:21 pm

happy New years!

Bella Band · January 4, 2009 at 4:10 pm

Accidents happen to everyone. Obviously you did not mean to leave her there, and I’m sure she understands that. Just be thankful that nothing happneed to her.

Tracy · January 6, 2009 at 5:35 am

I learned at my last job that many parents do these things. One forgot his baby in the car and just went home without him, the other just locked the car with the car keys and the baby in the car…

I think it’s because life’s full of stressors and we sometimes concentrate on them when we should be concentrating on our children. Finding stress relief is important and minimizas the chance this would happen, in my opinion: http://www.stress-help-guide.com

mercola · January 12, 2009 at 8:32 pm

i think your absent minded. maybe because of stress. you should get enough sleep and eat healthy foods and have a good exercise. don’t worry your not a bad person. you just made a mistake and you didn’t do it intentionally. next time make sure she is there inside your car.

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