Freaking Out, Part I
My cousin recently sent me an email about how a child died from playing in a ball pit at McDonalds. As the story went, the child was pricked by a hypodermic needle that had been thrown into the pit; later, he complained of a burning sensation in his buttock. His mother, noticing the spot was swollen, assumed he had a splinter in there and took him to the ER. The boy died that night of a heroin overdose.
I checked up on this story and found that it is, in fact, an urban myth. However, I am not any less relieved, because I know that something like this IS possible! I mean, how often do you think these ball pits (found at many children’s playgrounds) are cleaned out, inspected or even disinfected? Any number of items could be in them at any point.
Even though this specific story is fabricated, just knowing that it could be true will prevent me from ever permitting my kid to play in a ball pit. Call me paranoid, but I’d rather not take that chance, thank you.
The recent tragedy involving the Amish community of Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, has got me going again. Immediately after hearing the news, I called my husband at work and told him, “That’s it! We’re home-schooling Squid!”
Where do I draw the line? Already, I’m freaking out about the possible harms that could be done to my child. And, while I know I must allow him to experience life just as it is - pain and all - I want to protect him as much and as long as I can.
Perhaps my biggest fear, though, is turning into a total freak! I don’t want to be one of those overbearing, anxious, nervous mothers. I don’t want my child to end up resenting me for taking away his right to be a little kid. I can obviate risk, but I can’t eliminate it; I know that. Yet, the thought of anything bad ever happening to my baby scares the shit out of me. How do I protect him without depriving him of experiencing the joys of childhood?
October 18th, 2006 13:25
ugh.
the media is insistent we turn into a horde of fear based mongrels. it’s so easy to be caught up in the flurry, and so wretched to one day blame ourselves for a bad decision…but that said, life shouldn’t be lived in fear. life is a lot sweeter than the media likes us to believe. (and believe me, I have much work to do in this regard)
October 19th, 2006 02:35
Do they really still have those ball pits in places? I have yet to see one.
Anyway, I try not to be over-protective. I look at it like this, during my pregnancy I was very careful, yet my son had a stroke. I try to live life believing that what is going to happen does; no matter how well/poorly we prepare ourselves. Good luck with striking a balance :)
October 19th, 2006 18:34
Thanks for commenting on my blog.
I try to not freak out about these stories and really want to be a casual mama that doesn’t worry about my kids safety as much as I do. I skeeve out on the ball pits and douse my daughter in anti-microbial hand wash the second she comes out of those places. I’ve turned into a complete nervous wreck since I became a mama and try to find a balance but it’s damn hard.
October 19th, 2006 21:41
Turn off the tv or at least stop watching the news. The media trys to freak us out about things and I refuse to let them. I try and be sensible about things and I listen to my mommy instinct.
October 23rd, 2006 02:22
I think it’s normal to worry about the safety of our children. And you’re right, toys aren’t often cleaned or checked when they’re used by loads more children - what I did was bought my son his own little ball pit and balls and he can happily throw them around my living room all he wants. He gets to enjoy himself and I get to know that what he’s playing with is safe.