# Stupid kid and stupider mother **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 10, 2004, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-kid-and-stupider-mother/244450 "2004-05-10T14:07:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-kid-and-stupider-mother/244450/21 "2004-05-10T19:08:47Z")
> [@county](#): > > I think the woman was well within her rights. I mean it didn’t say no kids or anything did it? Anyway, I run my dog off-leash and don’t even bother with dog parks and stuff, those dog statutes and leash laws aren’t that important anyway, > I mean, they are just misdemeanors, pay the fine and be done with it. My cousin, when he was little, used to run around screaming **MOM MOM, LOOK AT ME, LOOK WHAT I CAN DO…MOM! MOM! WATCH! MOM! MOM! MOMOMOMOM LOOK! LOOK! OVER HERE!** And he yelled it so much, and all the time. And eventually, no one EVER LOOKED or EVER PAID ATTENTION to him and he ended up just screaming stuff to himself. Anyway… what were we talking about? ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-kid-and-stupider-mother/244450/22 "2004-05-10T19:31:22Z")
> [@jeevmon](#): > > **county** has a history of being an idiot. Technically speaking, does it qualify as history if it’s still happening? “Pay the fine and be done with it.” Christ, what a jackass. At least we have a _real_ jackass here to put the garden-variety stupidity in the OP into perspective. ---
**Author:** ![Viscera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/258eb7/32.png) [@Viscera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Viscera)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-kid-and-stupider-mother/244450/23 "2004-05-10T20:23:34Z")
Clarification point: The Lake temperature on Sunday morning was 57 degrees, on the Chicago shore. 59 degrees Monday morning. Vis ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-kid-and-stupider-mother/244450/24 "2004-05-10T21:35:53Z")
> [@spectrum](#): > > I’ve never heard of a “dog beach” before. That’s a great idea. I wish I didn’t live in the middle of the damn country. > > Yes, the two people in your post were morons. Not an uncommon trait in this country. > > But a dog beach… that’s just cool. I love dogs. Potter’s pond and the surrounding area are a dog park. No leashes required. I wouldn’t let my dog swim in the pond even if she weren’t terrified of water, though. It’s amazingly polluted. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-kid-and-stupider-mother/244450/25 "2004-05-10T21:57:42Z")
I once found what I thought was a cat beach. But it turned out to be just a big litter box. ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-kid-and-stupider-mother/244450/26 "2004-05-10T22:56:10Z")
Jeevmon, did you ever hear the mother explain why she had brought the child there? I just keep picturing this poor little boy, so terrified he can’t come out of the ocean because the beach is full of dogs, gradually turning bluer and bluer and bluer. ☹ Not that the dogs or their owners were doing anything wrong, but neither was the little boy, in all likelihood, and he was the one suffering. ---
**Author:** ![MelCthefirst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@MelCthefirst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MelCthefirst)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-kid-and-stupider-mother/244450/27 "2004-05-10T23:36:33Z")
Or did you explain to her that it was a dog beach, so that she doesn’t put her son in danger again. I’m all for educating people where possible. ---
**Author:** ![MelCthefirst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@MelCthefirst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MelCthefirst)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-kid-and-stupider-mother/244450/28 "2004-05-10T23:38:11Z")
> [@jeevmon](#): > > **county** has a history of being an idiot. I can’t tell if he’s a troll or if he’s actually believes and does the things he says. He does seem to thrive on everyone jumping on him for being an ass, so I’m leaning towards troll. That’s more of a masochist than a troll isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![county](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce7236/32.png) [@county](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/county)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-kid-and-stupider-mother/244450/29 "2004-05-11T10:43:43Z")
> [@Q.E.D.](#): > > You’ll think differently the first time someone’s unleased Doberman bites your nuts off. . 😃😃 ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-kid-and-stupider-mother/244450/30 "2004-05-11T11:41:56Z")
> [@county](#): > > I think the woman was well within her rights. I mean it didn’t say no kids or anything did it? Anyway, I run my dog off-leash and don’t even bother with dog parks and stuff, those dog statutes and leash laws aren’t that important anyway, > I mean, they are just misdemeanors, pay the fine and be done with it. Yes, of course. What makes breaking a regulation important or not is just the possible punishment. Who cares about the risks involved? ---
**Author:** ![Elenfair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cc9497/32.png) [@Elenfair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elenfair)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-kid-and-stupider-mother/244450/31 "2004-05-11T12:27:28Z")
For the record: Minneapolis area dog parks have clear rules about children - they’re even posted at the dog park entrances. Kids are to be kept close to parents, aren’t allowed to run around screaming and teasing the dogs. It’s a DOG PARK, not a kid park, so keep your kids leashed. 😃 I love that philosophy (for a dog park). As for swimming, bugs, illnesses and crap: I do minimal vaccinations with my guys (we titre instead of re-vaccinating) and we yet have to encounter a problem. Most dog owners are responsible, at least at our parks, and the worst we’ve ever had has been an ear infection for my Toller who, of course, swims his heart out. Unlike the aussie and her “rose ears”, his ears don’t dry out quite as well. Easily remedied by washing out his ears with ear cleaner after every swim! Remember that wormy dogs can be walking along the sidewalk grass in your neighbourhood and that your dog is, in some ways, just as likely to pick them up there (or drinking from icky puddles) than at the dog park or dog beach 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-kid-and-stupider-mother/244450/32 "2004-05-11T12:44:02Z")
> [@StarvingButStrong](#): > > I just keep picturing this poor little boy, so terrified he can’t come out of the ocean because the beach is full of dogs, gradually turning bluer and bluer and bluer. What ocean borders Chicago? The dog “beach” in question is on LAKE Michigan. Which is freshwater, btw. :rolleyes: [hijack] I used to work at an amusement park on Lake Erie. I’d go to the beach on my breaks, when I had a split shift. I was laying on my towel one day and some people went by, talking about how they’d have to get a shower to wash all the salt off their skin. There’s no salt water within 500 miles of Sandusky, Ohio. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: [/hijack] ---
**Author:** ![county](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce7236/32.png) [@county](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/county)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-kid-and-stupider-mother/244450/33 "2004-05-11T12:50:02Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > Yes, of course. What makes breaking a regulation important or not is just the possible punishment. Who cares about the risks involved? Exactly, the cost of doing business. ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-kid-and-stupider-mother/244450/34 "2004-05-11T14:18:18Z")
> [@Dogzilla](#): > > What ocean borders Chicago? The dog “beach” in question is on LAKE Michigan. > > Which is freshwater, btw. > :rolleyes: > > There’s no salt water within 500 miles of Sandusky, Ohio. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: [/hijack] Did you have to be such a dick in your response or what? Cripes almighty, I’m sure it was an honest mistake. ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-kid-and-stupider-mother/244450/35 "2004-05-11T14:34:24Z")
> [@Dogzilla](#): > > What ocean borders Chicago? The dog “beach” in question is on LAKE Michigan. > > Which is freshwater, btw. > :rolleyes: Sorry! Okay, amend that post to: I just keep picturing this poor little boy, so terrified he can’t come out of the lake because the beach is full of dogs, gradually turning bluer and bluer and bluer. Not that I see it makes any difference to the point I was bringing up. Allergic kid is ‘trapped’ in water too cold to remain in indefinitely, with apparently a mother who didn’t give a damn. Did some Good Samaritan dog owner briefly clear an escape route for him, perhaps? That would be an act of charity and thus worthy, regardless of the legalities of the situation. _Someone_ please tell me the kid got out. ---
**Author:** ![jeevwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@jeevwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jeevwoman)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-kid-and-stupider-mother/244450/36 "2004-05-11T14:40:07Z")
The kid, I assume, was fine. We left just as the rain started so I can’t say for sure if he was, but he wasn’t surrounded by dogs or anything and could have gotten out of the water at any time. As for the mom, she was nearby but not within talking range so we didn’t say anything. (She was up on the rocks that border the lake.) Was hardly paying attention to her kid, anyway, though she had to have noticed that it was clearly a dog beach. And I am pretty sure that people aren’t allowed to swim there, though I can’t say for sure that it’s posted anywhere. Still, common sense would indicate that you don’t send your kid there to swim. ---
**Author:** ![county](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce7236/32.png) [@county](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/county)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2004, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-kid-and-stupider-mother/244450/37 "2004-05-12T11:26:21Z")
> [@jeevwoman](#): > > Still, common sense would indicate that you don’t send your kid there to swim. Sure and common sense would tell you that you can leave a well trained dog outside on a sit and stay while you have a cup of coffee. But just do it and listen to the whining. ---
**Author:** ![emarkp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3be4f8/32.png) [@emarkp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emarkp)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2004, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-kid-and-stupider-mother/244450/38 "2004-05-12T17:14:35Z")
> [@jeevmon](#): > > It turns out that this kid was both allergic to dogs and scared to death of them. Which begs the question: > > WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU SWIMMING AT A DOG BEACH? > > And, for his mother: > > WHY DID YOU BRING YOUR DOG-ALLERGIC KID TO A DOG BEACH TO SWIM, YOU STUPID SOW? Wow. The ignorance displayed here is amazing. It’s “raises the question” not “begs the question.” 🙂 (I am astounded at the mother too.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-kid-and-stupider-mother/244450.md?page=1)