Not my kid!

Yesterday at preschool a woman hollered at me for not stopping her kid from pulling up a flower - several flowers actually. Let me back up and explain. After preschool most days the kids run around and play for about 10 minutes while the parents visit. About two weeks ago the church planted some beautiful flowers out where the kids play and they are now in full bloom. Thus far the kids haven't messed with the flowers and they still look lovely. That is, until yesterday. For some reason a little man went right up and plucked two of the flowers off and was walking around with them. The woman whom I was speaking to and I kind of giggled a minute after after seeing him with the flowers in hand, knowing that he probably shouldn't have done that, but hey, he's four.

Then the mom of said little boy walks over and yells at us for not telling him to stop. She tried to crack a smile, but you could tell she was serious. The woman I was talking to told her that we didn't see him do it in the first place, and the mom corrected us again and told us that we SHOULD have stopped him - yelling at him if necessary. I held my tongue - I don't know this mom other than seeing her at preschool, and she's pregnant, so I wanted to cut her some slack. But she kept on us and the amazing part was - she never spoke to her kid about not doing it again. I dunno - I'd at least pull the kid over and explain about the pretty flowers, and not to touch them, or anything. Don't holler at another mom - because lady - it isn't my job to police your kid. Now, if he was going to run out in the street or was picking up a knife, certainly I'd say something. But honestly, plucking flowers while his mom stands five feet away? And yelling at me - what's that going to accomplish? If you want me to keep an eye on your kid just ask. But seriously, hollering at me for your momentary lapse in kid care isn't the right answer.