Okay, I probably shouldn't blog about this because I'm still pretty upset about it. But I just had to get some feedback. We went to the castle park today. That's what we call it, but I guess technically it's Shryock Park at PlayPark Pointe. When we pulled up I noticed some kids playing inappropriately on the equipment, so I used the opportunity to teach the kids a lesson. These kids were climbing on top of the railing and on top of the tube slide at the very top. I told the girls how dangerous this was and that that's not how the equipment was intended to be used. They both agreed that they should not play like that. So we went in to have a good time. The kids ran off and I started making my grocery list as I sat in one of the seating areas. The group of kids that were playing inappropriately eventually came over as I was showing the girls a birds nest with baby birds in it. The momma bird had been in and out feeding them. The other kids decided it would be a good idea to mess with the nest. I let it go for a while because they weren't actually doing it any harm, but then one of them decided they wanted to knock it down. One of them even said, "We should mess with it so the momma bird won't come back and we can take them home." I told them probably ten times to leave the nest alone and they wouldn't listen. So finally I told them that if they continued to mess with the nest I would call the city and they would make them leave the park. An empty statement I know, but it worked. Then their dad showed up and they ran right over and told him what I had said. He blew it off for a while, but then started ranting out loud to himself about it. "I don't see what the city is going to do about it anyway." "Stupid people in Augusta, think they have money and they can make one phone call and something is going to happen." Now I really, really hate confrontation. It took all I had to tell those kids to stop messing with the nest. I just sat there and kept making my list. They finally left. Who knows how long they had been there. The oldest kid, who looked at least 10, told me they had been there since 6:00 in the morning (it was 9:30 when we were there). The girls played a little longer and then we left too. I don't know if I did the right thing or what I should have done. I'm curious. What would you all have done in that situation? I've been fretting about it every since and then I saw this verse on facebook:
"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." Philippians 4:6, NLT
I guess God's telling me not to worry about it. Maybe I should listen for once:)
7 comments:
Oh sweet girl, what a difficult situation! I think you did the right thing. It's not okay to torment animals, and the father's response was inappropriate and childish. Stay strong, girlfriend :).
I think you did the right thing too. Those baby birds could have died if the kids knocked the nest down. Way to have the courage to speak up! Don't doubt yourself!
Anne R.
Oh I hate stuff like that! As an adult, when you tell children not to do something. They should listen. It's called respecting authority. Clearly these children do not respect the words of a mother saying, "do not knock that nest down."
You Go girl!! Actually you could say, "I know the mayor and she'll be sure you NEVER come back!" HA!! No worries Sami...Good for you for speaking on behalf of the mother bird, who can't speak for herself, DON'T MESS WITH MY KIDS! :) See that mommy instinct just never stops! Good job!!
You did the right thing.
It sounds like their "nest" is a little unstable.
Sami, I can definitely tell you that you did the right thing since I was there and witnessed what was happening. You did absolutely nothing wrong. There parent should have been watching them in the first place. I am glad to know those cute baby birds are okay because of you! :)
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