GrandMa Boom, a.k.a., Janai Mestrovich, shows vigilance to protect toddler.
(Originally posted to FaceBook, March 15, 2019)
My plan was to call 911 for the police. The woman told the 2 yr. old if she didn't stop running around the table she would take her out to the car and lock her in it to stay there alone. I was horrified. That is when I thought I would call the police if she actually did that.
I hoped she would not follow through. Meanwhile, the little girl kept watching me and came near my table. I told her it was easier to see her pretty shoes when she walked instead of running. She looked down at her shoes and back up at me, smiling. She kept interacting with me. I was so relieved for the interaction and her not running anymore.
At the same time I thought about idle threats being detrimental for many reasons with children. Moreover, the idea of instilling fear of being locked in a car alone was inhumane, dangerous, ill fated psychologically for the child if carried out and unhealthy even if it wasn't carried out.
The little girl had eaten sugar food. She was not given anything to play with at the table and was unable to just sit and be quiet. Young brains are traveling many times faster than our adult brains and need to be occupied. Energy is scooting along exponentially in a little body, let alone after sugar, and those little bodies have difficulty containing it. Yes, they can learn to manage it......with encouragement in a healthy way for positive results that are not harmful and damaging to self worth. Boundary setting is a good thing.....but not with dangerous threats.
The little girl would not leave my side and followed me to the door when I left. She asked me for a hug. I got permission from her caretaker. It was so sweet. Then she blew me a precious little kiss. And I blew one back to her. Her eyes followed me out the door until I was no longer in sight. I was so grateful to be there when the threat happened and use my voice in a way that was acceptable in supporting her. And I would have used it in a legal manner if that was needed.
Speaking up for children's rights is without question an essential ingredient in today's world. I do it all the time, just not usually in a way that I may have had to do it today. #heartnsoulshineat69
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