Daddy Leaves the Kids Outside
February 1, 2011
Daddy Leaves the Kids Outside

Hi, Dr. Laura Schlessinger here, and welcome to our YouTube channel where I get to do many different things, including answer your questions.  This one is from Megan:

"I'm a stay-at-home mom of two toddler boys, married four years to a great husband.  [I really like that it starts out good.]  My boys get very excited to see daddy arrive at home at the end of each day and he usually takes them outside until dinner is ready.  [I mean, this is perfect.]  Daddy usually leaves something behind, like a cell phone or something to drink, and leaves the kids in the driveway while he runs back to get his forgotten item.  [Oops.]  This annoys me.  I feel it's not safe and it's not right.  I grew up in a city, I'm not at ease when it comes to dealing with this stuff.  I fear for their safety, even though we live in a great family neighborhood.  I've addressed this with my husband each time I see it happen and he ignores me or says 'you seem to think I don't know what I am doing and you have trust issues with me.'  At that point, I want to scream.  [Not me, she does.]  Even leaving them in the garage where they will be in sight would be a better option.  In any event, this always turns into an argument.  How can I get him to see eye-to-eye with me on this?"

Ok, he's not as hypersensitive or (forgive me) a little paranoid as you are, so you're never going to see eye-to-eye.  So, it might be good for you to A) bring out his drink of soda or whatever it is, bring out his cell phone.  If those are the two things he comes back in for, just say "honey, you forgot these" and there's no more issue.
 
See, I just like the simpler solutions, rather than fighting it out.  Just realize he's a little absent minded there, the kids have been fine, most of the time kids are fine.  It's the extraordinary exceptions when something horrible happens, but I appreciate being safer than sorry.  However, you know, calm it down and be cooperative.  Cooperation is the best way to handle this.  "Sweetie, do you have everything that you need?"  And if you see that he missed something, bring it out to him.  "Can I get something for you?  Just tell me."  That's how loving people treat each other.

I'm Dr. Laura Schlessinger, welcome to our YouTube Channel...come back again!

Daddy Leaves The Kids Outside



Posted by Staff at 12:00 AM