An open letter to parents
Dear parents,
As someone that grew up with my mother taking me to the library each week during the summer, I applaud your efforts in encouraging your kids to read by taking them to public libraries. However, your use of public libraries as playgrounds where your kids can run around like rabid animals should be criminal.
As an adult, I visit the local public library every couple of weeks and am frankly growing tired of having to slam on my brakes when one of your idiot children bolts into the middle of the road and in my direct path. Your icy glares that insinuate that I am at fault for almost turning your child into a lumpy speed-bump do not change the fact that your child is clearly out of control.
When I visit the library on my lunch break and cannot even get through the entrance doors because your children are running around in front it I can’t help but wonder where you are. I finally make it inside after being run into my countless kids that do not know the meaning of ‘excuse me’ or ‘I’m sorry’ and I see the place swarming with children much like the playground down the street at the park.
Where are these kids’ parents, I wonder.
After navigating my way through the stacks I find the answer. The back of the library is full of parents chatting away, clueless to the chaos the children are causing.
Parents, I understand that after being cooped up with a rambunctious 4 year old all week that you need to get out. I get that you need to have a conversation with someone other than your child. I get that, honestly I do. What I don’t get is how you can be so selfish and inconsiderate of the other people that go to the library. We don’t want to be sued for running over a child that you are not watching. We don’t want to be bruised from rude kids running into us. We don’t want to have our time wasted because your kids are running around and in the way because you are not watching them.
If you want to let your kids run wild, go to the park. And if you insist on coming to the library, at least teach your kids some manners before you get there and let them run loose. And if you are a parent that already has well-mannered and well-behaved children, then I applaud you above all others.
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