Laura's Corner

Toddlers smoking? Who knew?

Posted by Laura Beyer on May 12, 2008

Has anyone heard the recent news? I am sure we all have. As a mother of teenage daughters, I have been taken aback, to say the least. A new phase of moms and dads has come aboard. Not sure why, but some of these superstar parents now believe that allowing their children to smoke is a good idea. Recent news has come to light that two parents have been caught allowing their toddlers smoke marijuana. Unbelievable. What is more shocking is that these "parents" are being allowed to keep their children. Funny. I always thought this was an illegal substance. Yet, the police and child protective services believe these parents deserve the right to keep their children in their "care"? The most recent was an innocent two year old whose account was recorded on a cell phone. In the background, the child's mother states, "I hope I don't get in trouble for this". Guess what? You won't. You might as well give him his own personal stash so he can begin dealing at day care. The sooner the better. What is so great is that your two year old will not be held accountable and neither will you. Come on people. How far have we come? Why are these women choosing to put the welfare of their children on the backburner? How low can one's self esteem be that they are willing to sacrifice their young babies for the entertainment of others? Is it time we require common sense classes to every parent prior to them leaving the maternity ward? Another story comes to light as early as this afternoon. A young child goes to the Greenfield Ponderosa with his mother and aunt. While his mother is paying for the food, this child not only has a cigarette in his mouth but his aunt is seen attempting to light it for him. An employee of the restaurant steps in and tells them to take the cigarettte out of this child's mouth. KUDOS to the employee for stepping in. I am sure this employee was shaking in his or her boots but knew it was the right thing to do. (The full story is in the link below) http://www.greenfieldnow.com/watch/?watch=26&date=5/12/2008&id=39547 I am so angered that this type of behavior appears to be of normal behavior for certain individuals. I am sure these parents will blame the system, school, friends, others and anyone else when this child ends up the next drug dealer or prisoner. Most importantly, if this behavior occurs in public, what goes on behind closed doors? God only knows. I can honestly say that if I see injustice occuring, I step in. One instance comes to mind. I was in line at a Walgreens. The mother in front of me was with her lively 5 year old. This "mother" stated to her 5 year old, "You are stupid just like your father, you are an idiot, shut up, etc". I could not believe my ears. I was with my own daughters who knew I was going to blow my top. As we both left the store, I was about 15 feet from her. I said to this woman, "Do you love your son"? and she replied, "Of course", I went on to inform her that I didn't believe that she told him she loved him, not once. I told her that my daughters know I love them because I tell them so. She went on to say that her behavior was not my business yet I told her if I heard it, it was. Another instance occurred at PickNSave. I am in line and a mom and her 7 year old son were directly in front of me. This boy decided to rest for a minute and put his head down. This mother smacked her son on the back of the head and told him to "get up, you aren't finished yet". (putting about 3 more items on the belt). Again, my heart was pounding, but I took a deep breath. As we walked out of the store, I asked her if she had ever been slapped? She stated she had and I said, "Didn't feel good, did it"? Needless to say we have our hands tied. The law is becoming more and more lenient to these types of crimes. How sad. How much more lax have to become? When is it going to be illegal to allow your child harmful substances? Does anyone in the court system realize the type of damage which will be instilled on other children? If these types of parents know they will only receive a slap on the wrist they will likely continue to test the waters. Let's stand up for innocent children and others. You may be the only person who is willing to do what is right. I know that someday, one of the children I stand up for will remember what I have done and pay it forward. He or she will say, "Because of the kindness of that woman, my life was changed". It may give him or her the chance for a normal life. Do what is right and make a difference.