This is all another example of why I generally hate society and have a mistrust for most people. This incident is just another example that confirms my reservations when it comes to dealing with kids when there should be no such apprehension at all.
I am a father of three young kids (2G/1B) so having other young kids around is not uncommon. But I am always concerned about perception because wrong perceptions leads to accusations and now-a-days, accusations are the same as being guilty. Examples of how I refuse general common courtesy or avoid doing what should be something inconsequential in favor of protecting myself:
1. I live in a new (and being built) neighborhood where the bus drops off kids at the entrance (requiring some kids to walk a good distance if not picked up). Aside from my neighbor, I will not pick up other kids I see walking home ..... even in bad/very cold weather .... if I pass them on my way home. Even friends of my kids.
2. I do not drive home any female babysitters. This essentially guarantees my wife is the designated driver because she can't drink knowing she will have to drive someone home. Sounds a bit trivial but getting a night away from the kids and being handcuffed in letting loose can be a bit frustrating for her. This often means I don't partake as well which is fine. But I generally feel bad for her.
3. Just the other day, I was asked to bring home a neighbors daughter (6) with my daughter following Girls Scouts. My two youngest are in car seats. This girl was used to a booster but I didn't have one so she had to suck it up for a 5 minute drive. That being said, she was having trouble securing all the buckles (5-point). I first asked my daughter to help her but she was unable so next thing you know, I am having to do it. And again, as trivial as it sounds, I am having to ever so delicately navigate these buckles and straps around this young girls crotch. And as dumb as that sounds, my biggest fear is that my hand will bump into her in the most harmless of ways and that being passed along to her parents. Again, sounds dumb, but that's not unheard of now-a-days.
4. I grew up in a time (I'm 40 BTW) where as kids, you ran from house to house and played. You'd be in one door and out the other to the next house. I am always a bit on edge when the neighborhood kids show up and my kids are asking if they can come in. With my two youngest being girls, this means a lot of other little girls. And while I know their parents, it is a new house/neighborhood so I can't say we know each other well. As such, when my wife isn't around, I usually decline having kids in the house. Or, if the parents are around (sometimes they will text and ask "Is it OK that they're over there?" or something to that affect, I usually write back/respond that it is but note my wife is out grocery shopping and that I'm manning the house solo.
To be honest, it infuriates me that this is how it is. On one hand, I am pissed I have to manage things in this way but on the other hand, I know its worth it as the simple rumor and/or accusation can bring your world crumbling down without the slightest bit of truth to support it. This is the world we live in unfortunately.
