Mean Mom

Sigh, I am officially the meanest mom on the street! :o(

While no one has said I am, and more importantly my child hasn't either, this is how I am feeling!

We live on a block that ends as a cul-de-sac. Because of this, our neighbors, with children all under the age of 8, allow them to ride their bikes in the street. From day one this shocked me! Keep in mind we have sidewalks on both sides of the street!

Maybe they trust their child to "watch for cars", but what about the cars not watching or even seeing these kids on their bikes! For example, last week I was leaving the house about 9:30 in the morning. As I am backing out the driveway, I don't see any cars or anything and proceed to back into the street. Right before I reached where the sidewalk is, out of the corner of my eye I saw something so I stopped. Two kids on bikes were coming up the street fast as can be. I didn't see them until they were headed behind my truck because the neighbor's truck parked on the road was blocking my view of them. My heart was pounding because I honestly would have backed over these kids, no joke!

Why are these parents putting their children at the mercy of others??

Anyways, after dance class today, I decided to clean out my Element and sweep the mulch off the driveway (dang rain!). Well, the whole neighborhood seemed to be out visiting, and all the kids riding their bikes up and down the block. Of course the girls all came by the house to chat with Regan, asking if she could ride her bike. My answer of course is "Baby, you cannot ride your bike in the road, you know that." So Regan tells the little girl she is not allowed to ride in the street. Get this, the little girl - 5 years old says "I can watch you". Holy shit, really?! I felt like I was in a parallel universe!

Within minutes 5 different girls have come up to see if Regan can go ride her bike with them. I felt HORRIBLE! Like I was the meanest mom ever. It is so hard to tell your child they cannot do something when, and I'm not exaggerating, the entire street is traipsing up and down our block. Even the lady across the street's 3 year old is allowed to play in the road!

But you know, I have to give it to her.....she never threw a fit or cried about it. She just accepted it for what it was. I was so proud of her. Cause I think she understood the reasoning. But even still, I felt so guilty. I called her over and told her that I was sorry that they were all able to ride in the street when she couldn't. That I knew it seemed unfair. But that I was worried that something bad would happen. I briefly told her about those girls I didn't see until the last minute. She said "they could have gotten hurt or even died, huh momma?" I said "yes baby. I don't want anything bad to happen to you so I cannot be like all the other parents and let you go in the road".

This really does not make me happy. And you know, this is just the start. Summer is almost here and short of them blocking off the street, I will never allow her to ride up and down in the road by herself! My daughter is far to precious to risk anything happening to her! She is a blessing and I will always treat her as such. Even if I am the mean mom! I am really frustrated with the parents being so lax around here. It really makes things more difficult for others who have rules against things like this! Sigh!