Me and my idealism

I'm going to be blowing off some steam tonight......

I was at Gymboree the other day with Bear and Squirrel. I love Gymboree. I hate their prices, but I manage to land a good sale now and again. Besides, I had word that they had some pirate stock in, and Bear loves pirates.

Bear and Squirrel made a bee-line to sit on the coloured plastic chairs in front of the TV as usual. There sat a dark haired little boy, watching Yo Gaba Gaba alone. After a few minutes of TV watching Bear asked me if I'd sit down, so I did. I gave the little boy a wave, and a hello. He instantly burst into tears. He ran to a middle aged woman, jumped in her arms and sobbed "I want my mama!" The grandma snapped back "Oh, cut it out." She proceeded to shame him, stuff him into the stroller and tell him he was scaring everybody with his howls. I stood there in disbelief. Her grandchild wants his Mama and she is a complete bitch to him. It was so incredibly sad and rude and unkind. I'm glad that one lady told the woman "He's not scaring me." What sort of thing is that to say to a child? He didn't look much older than 3.

As they were leaving the woman looked at me and said "I don't know what his problem is." Pardon me? Didn't you hear him? He wants his Mama! So I said "It's pretty clear to me, he said he wants his Mommy. He's sad and needs a hug." The woman puffed and left the store. She left me wishing I had said more.

I just don't get some people. Why would you not hug a crying child? Why are feelings of sadness, of loneliness, or even just being hungry and done with the mall something to be so mean and angry about? It breaks my heart. How can we stop a hurting world if we don't embrace our kids when they hurt? How can they learn empathy and compassion when big feelings are pounded back inside?

If a friend called us in tears, would we tell them to call back when they were ready talk without crying? Of course not. The thought of it is ridiculous. We listen, we may empathize. We may even offer prayers, a cup of tea, or something else tangible. We'd take care of our friend in need.

I may think this because I am an idealist to the core, but I am so sure, so confident, that if we love our children through the tough times, their little hearts will grow strong. They will grow to be compassionate people. That's what this world needs. More care, more understanding. That's the world I want my children to grow up in. It's the legacy I want for my grandchildren. It's certainly the world that God wants for His children.