Hey Carny! STOP YELLING AT MY KID!
After an experience this week I came home to find an e-mail in my inbox from the Parent Bloggers Network regarding the question, “How far would you go for your kids?” I had an answer.
We have a week-long “Fall Festival” event in our area that is mostly a contest to see who can gain the most weight from eating deep-fried twinkies in a week, but also includes rides and games.
Carnivals and festivals are supposed to attract kids. It’s fun entertainment right? For some reason our experience the other evening was far from delightful.
As we walked through the crowds a carny at each game booth kept yelling at our 5 year old - as if he controls where we let him play a game! At first I thought maybe it was just a few extra special weirdo’s, but the farther into the carnival we got, the yelling increased.
Ethan was starting to get a little scared. I could tell by the way he tightly clutched my hand and attempted to hide behind me as we walked forward. In an effort to comfort him I explained they weren’t talking to him and just to ignore the yelling. It didn’t work and sometimes you reach a point where enough is enough.
I put my son’s hand within my husbands and calmly walked over to a game booth that included throwing darts at balloons. The carny, still yelling at my son, just looked at me and asked if I wanted to play. I said, “No. But if you don’t quit yelling at little kids I’m going to spend the $3.00 for a damn dart, just so I can throw it at you!”
Granted it only worked with this particular game booth, but I felt better. Honestly, I can’t imagine there is much of anything I wouldn’t do to protect my child. So how far would you go?
My name is Emily. I’m 30 years old. I have often been told that I ask a lot of questions, but I think I have more to say than ask.
When my oldest daughter started high school, she had problems with a girl being so mean to her. I’m not sure anything since has made my blood boil like that did. My daughter would come home and cry over this (she never had hung out with this girl, she didn’t even know her) as a mother it was heart breaking. I wanted to beat some ass over that one
We’d all do anything to protect them, wouldn’t we? If we needed to? I think we would. Most of us — luckily — are never really tested, except in little ways here and there.
Good for you! flippin’ carnies!
if I had a kid, there is a song lyric that describes it perfectly, I think. “I would give my life to save you/ I stand guarding at your door”
It’s nothing I can put in print because I’m not sure about the statute of l imitations, but remind me and I’ll tell you some time. It involves a scared first grader with new glasses and a 3rd grade bully………..and me.
Anything. Just anything.
Thanks for checking on me. Everything’s good, but just very hectic. I’ll post about it when I get a chance (probably Sunday), but I started working parttime after being home for over 10 years, so we’re going through crazy schedule adjustments, dentist hell (wisdom teeth, implants, fillings…), and my oldest turning 18. Plus, it freaking snowed today. Snow. 11 days into Fall. Snow. I’m a little bitter.
Love that. I wish I could have seen it.
Oh, that’s priceless! Yay for you for doing something! (although as far as Carny’s are concerned, most could do with a dart lobotomy…)
as far as i needed to. whatever it takes.
Hey! You finally got that moment–the one with the silver nail polish,
YIPPE!
I really hate carnivals, but they’re great to photograph!
Sometimes I have to laugh at “sales” tactics like that because it guarantees that I WON’T play / buy / contribute / whatever.
I don’t like being yelled at, and certainly wouldn’t want my child yelled at. It makes me angry just thinking about it!
I’m just thankful I’ve never had to find out how far I’d go.
I’d have thrown that dart…at a non-vital organ.
I wonder if the people yelling actually thought that yelling would entice a kid to come over and play games.
That is awesome! I hate carnies with a passion. The only reason I still go to carnivals is to see if they have those awesome mini donuts. If they don’t, I’m outta there!
Ha! We went to our local Fair last night and I was *shocked* at how the freakin’ carnies screamed at the kids. Grr.
I would do probably anything for my kids. I’ve quietly scolded mean children who’s parents were out of ear shot and I’ve given the stink-eye to bully-ish older kids. I’m mean.
When we were at a carnie and an old gross man tried to grab my eldest daughter by the arm to get her to look at a game, I started hitting him with the silly stuffed bear Hubby had won for me. Darn thing broke wide open and we had stuffing EVERY WHERE. It was almost funny except then ALL the kids started crying because I had hurt the silly bear….
LOL…I love your dart strategy. They definitely over-do the yelling bit. It is one thing to attract people to your booth. Quite a different thing to scare the hell out of little kids with all the constant screaming.
Never come between a Mamma bear and her cubs…ever.
Sounds like something I would do. Go mom!
They scared Sophie too- it made me MAD! Stinking Carnies.
ps- just found out about this blog. It’s great! I love, love, love this template- and you are a flippin RIOT! I knew I liked you!