This morrning on the way to taking my daughter to school I was passing a car on a very busy roadway, that was plastered with pro-life and anti-abortion stickers and riding in the front of the car in the passangers seat was a child no more than 5 years old that could not even see over the dash and had the seat belt tucked UNDER his arm. As a parent this enraged me so bad that this person could be so pro-life but be such an moron by puting his sons life in such jeapordy. A child should never be in the front until at least age 12 and judging this kids size should be in the back in a booster,any sencible parent should know this. Anyway when we got to a light I pulled next to this car and proceded to tell the father that if he was so pro-life he should start by taking care of the one he already created,and then asked him if he would rather have a fetus killed when it can't feel and understand or live to his sons age and die from a parents stupidity like his.
Do you think I was right?
2007-03-14 03:59:35 · 24 answers · asked by atlanta_calling 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
Did I go to far or was I justified in what I said?
2007-03-14 04:01:34 · update #1
I think the pro-life/pro-choice argument can infuriate anyone to the point of saying something out of character. I also think that when your a parent yourself, and you see a child in danger, the same could be said. I feel that you did what you thought was right, however it may have looked. Don't doubt your passion about being a good parent, just to be PC. If this other person didn't like having something said to them, maybe they shouldn't be billboarding their emotions on their car...then doing something assnine like not having their child in proper restraints. If someone's well being is in danger, then in my opinion, it warrants something being said.
2007-03-14 04:06:26 · answer #1 · answered by Queenelizabeth79 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Well I think that there may have been a better way to say it, maybe something along the lines of, Are you aware that your child should be in the backseat in a booster chair at that size/age? I think that should he have gotten pulled over he probably would have recieved a ticket for his stupidity of letting his child ride next to him in the front. Some parents just don't stop to think of this. I have a friend whose youngest children that are only 5 and going to be 4 are in booster seats, when at their size they have no business being ina booster seat of that size. They should both still be in car seats with built in straps until they are 40 pounds and both are far from 40 pounds. I don't believe you were wrong at all for what you said I just believe you maybe could have said it in a different manner.
2007-03-14 11:16:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ok, you were definitely right in bringing the danger to his son to his attention however, even though ou were enraged by the circumstance and ironic nature of the situation (anti-abortion stickers) I don't think the manner in which you addressed him was appropriate. I am sure that his response was not one of gratefulness but rather a harsh response to you . You should have simply schooled him on the correct way to secure the child to prevent harm in an accident and even suggest the child ride in the back because the impact in case of an accident is less likely to be fatal. In this case even if the father knew you were correct in what you said his response to you would not be acceptable because of the manner in which you presented the argument.
2007-03-14 11:13:02 · answer #3 · answered by redz 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your valid complaint lost something when you brought the politics into the discussion. You had a very good concern for the child's safety, but by tainting the discussion with a political statement, the guy is just going to say "some pro-Choice whacko" and not deal with the real problem at hand--his bouncing kid. Your complaint was ineffective because you decided to make it more than what it should have been.
Would you have screamed at him in the same manner had he pro-choice stickers? There is the answer to whether you went over the top or not.
Don't get me wrong--we all do it when we see something wrong and try to extrapolate onto it something else. Nothing wrong--you're just human.
Better luck next time.
2007-03-14 11:11:01 · answer #4 · answered by apleyden 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You were exactly right and I wish there were more people who had the guts to say what's on their mind and to stand up for what they believe in. Sounds like that guy was a hypocrite. Most of those people are. They rally against abortions but also vote for people who want to take away humans' rights such as universal health care and programs for the poor. It's like once a baby is actually born, who cares? Who cares about all of the adults who need assistance from the government, they seem to forget that we were all once fetuses, too.
That guy was an idiot and I'm glad you called him out. You may have saved his child's life.
2007-03-14 11:11:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It depends. You did jump to conclusions rather quick there. First, that may not have been his car. I am pro-life and have 2 bumper stickers on my minivan. My husband drives my van but is pro-choice. So, that may not have been his car. Second thing; the child could have also slipped the seatbelt under his arm without his father knowing. I know I used to do that as a child. I know that there has been a time when my three year old had unlatched the harness in her carseat. Another thing; you jumped all over this man with your child with you. I'm sure she didn't need to hear a few things you said. I'm not trying to pick on you, just pointing a few things out. You could have just said "hey, did you know that they are very strict around here about child carseat laws?" Then go on to say that the child is safest in the back seat.
2007-03-14 11:09:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
well you probably went a little to far but you definitely did right by saying something cause all that is true and it was very stupid for someone to promote pro life and not take care of their kid the way they should. It would have made me mad to I don't let my daughter in the front seat cause of the reasons and if you get in a wreck the air bag could break their bones.
good job
2007-03-14 11:07:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it was appropriate to say with a child sitting in the passengers seat listening. I think I would have just said, "I noticed your bumper stickers. It's apparent that you really love children, so I thought I'd let you know that by letting your child ride in the front seat you are endangering his life. The safest place for him is in the backseat in a booster seat. I know you wouldn't want anything to happen to him in an accident. " It's about educating, not brow-beating.
2007-03-14 11:41:50 · answer #8 · answered by Ree 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would have done the same thing! We can hope that you made the father think that his child is so important - he should act like it!
It is a shame that this parent is more concerned about the beliefs of other people than the safety of his own child!
Unfortunately there are too many parents out there that want to be their child's friend or just "popular" with their kids than remain the parent and do what is right for their safety!
GOOD JOB! and Thanks for the rest of us who didn't get to say it!
2007-03-14 11:38:16 · answer #9 · answered by Glory 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't think you said it right. You were attacking the wrong problem. You may have considered reminding the father that the backseat is the safest place for any child, especially if the car has an airbag and that a shoulder seatbelt is unsafe if tucked under an arm. Then I would have directed him to the nearest fire department or police station to get some more information. I'm glad you said something, but you may have gone about it the wrong way.
2007-03-14 11:04:08 · answer #10 · answered by Barbara B 4 · 3⤊ 3⤋