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10/04/2005 12:54:58 PM · #26 |
When my daughter was in first grade, I dropped her off and picked her up from school every day, except on Thursdays as she went with another school buddy to go to their place for a Brownie's meeting (Girl Scouts/Guides). Well one Wednesday, I was at the school 15 mins early as usual so I could see the kids as they walked out.
5,10 mins went by and no sign of my daughter, so I got out and started searching for her. There was no sign of her and I began to get worried, checked her classroom, the office, but nothing. I had no idea where she would have gone as this was uncharacteristic of her.
Then I began to wonder if she had hopped onto one of the school buses on the off chance she had got her days mixed up. The office tried to contact the bus drivers to see if she had got on. No one seemed to have seen her. I was trying not to get upset or I would not have been able to think clearly. I then got the phone numbers of the parents that held the Brownie meetings in case she had arrived at their place. She had not arrived yet, so I had to wait around a few more minutes.
Finally the office received a call saying my daughter had arrived at their house safe and sound. I was so relieved but was not very impressed with the school as all children must get a bus pass from their teacher before being allowed to get on the bus, the parents are to write a note to request such a pass. I do think the bus driver did not check properly to make sure she was allowed on the bus.
I couldn't get angry because it was a genuine mistake my daughter had made. Fortunately she did have her name and phone number in her backpack. I hope I have never have that experience again. Now I know how my mother felt when I wandered away from my home at 2 years old, along a quiet road on the outskirts of the city, about a half a mile or more away. One of the neighbours driving by saw my blonde hair on top of my head bobbing away and realised who it was, so she returned me home to my frantic mother.
Laurie, thank God you were there at the right time. The poor little mite must have been terrified.
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10/04/2005 12:58:36 PM · #27 |
Laurie, you're my hero. WTG kiddo!
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10/04/2005 02:19:07 PM · #28 |
Laurie, you're my new hero!!! Great story, thanks for posting.
When I was about 17 I spent a night looking for my nephews. They were 5 and 10 at the time. One got money for their birthday so they deceided to walk to Chuckie Cheese (about 4 miles away) and spend it. They walked back home and got back about 11pm. Cops were their, mom was pissed... She made them both right a thank you letter to me for looking for them all night. I still have both the letters.
Message edited by author 2005-10-04 14:19:39.
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10/04/2005 02:27:34 PM · #29 |
Originally posted by jpochard:
Laurie...what an angel you are, and someone sent you to be right there for her today. I cried when I read your story (which, knowing me, really doesn't take much :)
When my daughter, now almost 11, was in Kindergarten, they let out early one day and I didn't realize it. I was at work, but had left the door unlocked. Since she could get in, the bus driver dropped her off and then left knowing she had made it inside.
No one was home, and she knew her home phone number but no other ones to reach us - so she started walking with her little backpack to her daddy's work (about a mile from the house.)
As she was walking (and crying) a nice lady pulled over to talk to her, and then flagged down a passing patrol car. She was about 3 blocks from our house, so the deputy drove her there and pulled in just as my mom-in-law (who lives with us) also pulled in.
I got home about an hour later and when I heard what had happened I almost was sick to my stomach thinking about the possibilities! I was so grateful for that lady, as I'm sure Tatyana's mom will be for you!
Immediately I typed up a step by step instruction sheet that my little girl could understand about what to do if she got home again and no one was there and posted it by the phone at her level. Then she learned all of our cell phone and work numbers.
Some of her friends think it's funny that she's almost 11 and still not allowed home by herself for any longer length of time. About 1/2 hour or so is the longest she's here by herself. I see these tiny kids out playing in the dark at 10:00 at night and I just want to scream "Where are the parents?"
Sorry....your story hit a nerve. I'm so glad it all turned out well. Bless you for getting involved! |
In New Zealand it is illeagal to leave a child alone at home under the age of 14! |
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10/04/2005 02:31:20 PM · #30 |
"In New Zealand it is illeagal to leave a child alone at home under the age of 14!"
Now there is some solid logic. I wish Canada respected their children like that. |
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10/04/2005 03:48:18 PM · #31 |
Thank goodness it was ~you~ that stopped!!! It was said earlier but I believe as well.. that you were meant to be there at that time for that little person...
Makes me wonder what is wrong with the rest of the people who had obviously passed her walking and didnt!!
*((((hugs to you))))*
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10/04/2005 04:55:46 PM · #32 |
Wow! Incredible story Laurie. Immediately made me think of that little girl who was in the news this past weekend who was dropped off in the city by her mom's "boyfriend".
I have a comment about queenbeez' story:
Originally posted by queanbeez:
i found a 2 yr old walking down the street in just a diaper..wasnt a highway but a very busy road. so i picked him up (actually wanted to take him home he was sooooo cute, like a lost puppy) but i went door to door then finally 1/4 mile up the road a woman said it was her grandson. The mother of the child was sleeping and the grandmother was deaf so she didnt hear the boy walk out the door. I knew the family from talk around town, i just imagined the boy was a secret genius and trying to run away. Poor kid. |
I've heard of parents being prosecuted for neglect when their toddlers got out - and many are quick to judge the parents, busdriver, etc. I would just say that circumstances are always different and situations not always preventable. Anyone who has raised kids knows that anything can happen in the 2 seconds you have your back turned. I'd also add that, as a man, the thought of stopping and try to pick up a small child on the side of the road out of concern, can be immediately overshadowed by the very real sense that someone could mistake your act of kindness for some predatory crime and rarely do you get the benefit of the doubt anymore. Not saying I wouldn't stop - I most definitely would. Just saying the world has made it very hard to be a good samaritan.
My 3 related experiences:
Forgot my daughter had early dismissal at school in preschool (age 5) and she sat in the school office for an hour or so before they got a hold of me. When I picked her up the school was deserted and when she got in the car she just broke down in tears. For the rest of her life, she has this fear of not being picked up or being abandoned. A petty situation, especially compared to the other stories here, but just demonstrates the impact these things have on children.
Maui, 1997. My 4 year old son and I were down by the water on the not very crowded beach, my wife was a few hundred yards away by the hotel. I was laying there within 50 feet of my son, watching him play in the surf. I turned around for less than a minute and when I looked back, he was gone. I jumped up frantically looked up and down the beach. I RAN back and forth looking out into the water ('Jaws' theme playing in my head), my heart was about to explode. I finally ran back to where my wife was and there was Brian right there with her. I swear he ad to have "transported" to her in the short time I looked away! Scared the living crap out of me. This demonstrates how little control you really have. You do the best you can (and pray).
Last story:
I cut school once when I was in Kindergarten and walked downtown (small town in Idaho) and went on a little shopping spree in a drug store. I first picked up a package of play money (came with a wallet!) and I took the money and tried to buy some other toys with it, but they were onto me and called the authorities who eventually got me home. Sadly, it was the first of many episodes of delinquency. The lasting psychological damage is manifested by my haunting fears that each of my kids is going to be just like I was!
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Thanks again, for posting this Laurie! I hope my contribution adds something to the thread. |
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10/04/2005 08:03:15 PM · #33 |
Great Job Laurie, I'm gald a decent woman found her. Could you imagine if some sicko seen her. I did not know her but I have an extremly sensitive spot in my heart for little kids. Thanks for taking care of her. I'm sure her mom would like to thank you. I geuss you were her gaurdian angel that day.
Travis
P.S. That is why I told my wife she has to pick up my daughter from school. She is also in Pre-K
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