Last Friday I took Pua Pua and Mia to Happy Hollow Zoo and yet again Mia flat out refused to saddle up on the tot carousel. She did, however, reluctantly agree to sit on a bench on the carousel. We rode both of the carousels and though she was cautious and a bit nervous there were no tears. Since Papa was off today and we were invited by friends to join in their Happy Hollow excursion, we went again (that membership card has proved to be very useful as we've gone four times already in about a month and a half).
Today, Mia refused to get on the saddle yet again, but rode on the bench with her papa at her side. After the ride, Mia watched the carousel for a bit. Mia had friends riding too. The Kim boys were on, and Jonathan and Elijah. Papa took her on the carousel after watching a few sessions. Much to our delight Mia got on a horsey. She still looked rather serious, but when the ride came to an end, she asked for more. Mia rode the carousel a couple more times. We're so proud that with the help of her peers and repeated introductions she has overcome her fear of the wooden horse!
Now onto my rant. First, let me preface this by saying, I am sure this one incident does not epitomize all Silicon Valley dads.
While at the zoo last Friday, we went to pet the animals. I had gotten Mia some dried grass pellets to feed the goats, donkeys and such. I placed them on the stroller tray for Mia to grab and offer the animals through the fence. This boy, probably four, came over and took Mia's pet food to use for himself. He didn't ask, he felt entitled to take what was not his. Maybe this happened because his father was on the cell phone and not properly supervising him. Let's call it what it is, this boy STOLE Mia's grass three times (took one, fed a goat, came back, took another, fed a goat, took another, and fed a goat) as his dad continued to talk business on his cell phone. Look, I'm not saying that you can't be on the cell phone while on parent duty, but at least try to pay attention to what your kid is doing. The third time the kid took Mia's goat grass, Dad on Cell Phone finally noticed and did not so much as give me a nod or hand gesture of apology. He simply anchored his phone with his ear, reached into his pocket pulled out another quarter and shoved a bunch of grass pellets into his son's hands. Dad on Cell Phone continued with his conversation without missing a beat. He was probably hoping to buy few more minutes to finish his call, but I was so flabbergasted that I pushed Mia's stroller away whilst shaking my head. At first, I wished I had the wherewithal to first tell the kid to ask if he wanted some food and then interrupt the dad's important work conversation to say, you gotta pay attention to your kid or his memory of dates with dad will be nothing more than his dad with a phone glued to his ear. I should remember a point in yesterday's sermon at GrX, who am I to judge others? I am not God. So I guess I'm glad I was too shocked to confront Dad on Cell Phone.
Not to Papa Bear: Please try your best to refrain from unnecessary cell phone usage while on outings with Mia. If she ever steals from another kid, I expect you to give her an earful.
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3 comments:
The outing was a lot of fun. Sorry Dylan was getting fresh with Mia!
Dylan was trying to hold Mia's hand and also kissed her on the carousel. Mia said, "All done, all done!" to Dylan. We hope and pray that she can be that strong when she's a teenager and some boy tries to get to first base. Dylan's a cutie. He'll be a good big bro to Victoria!
Of course, Dad with Cellphone does not exist in Seattle!
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