# Why would you trust me with your kid, you fruitcake ! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 9, 2003, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-you-trust-me-with-your-kid-you-fruitcake/200614 "2003-09-09T21:31:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![superstar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f4b2a3/32.png) [@superstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/superstar)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-you-trust-me-with-your-kid-you-fruitcake/200614/21 "2003-09-11T22:01:15Z")
Sometimes I’m so desperate to have some time alone without my kid, some peace and quiet from the continual questions, loud screeeeeching like an aeroplane and the constant asking for things that I woulod probably leave my child with the next person who walked past! Maybe she just wanted to get rid of the little one. The child is probably a real handful and she’ll do anything to rid her afternoon of the madness! Take the time to scare the crap out of the kid so she will be better behaved for her mother, and then the mother can use you as a threat in the future…“If you don’t behave I’ll send you to that scary lady again”… ---
**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-you-trust-me-with-your-kid-you-fruitcake/200614/22 "2003-09-11T22:10:37Z")
Concerning what your lost child should do, at the mall. Yes, they should find someone who works there. But you should tell them to find a woman who works there. No it is not a guarantee of better care. But the overwhelming percentage of child molesters are male. You are already pushing the kid’s luck, let’s let someone else take the great strides for equality between the sexes, huh? Teach the kid to find a saleslady. You take every break that comes your way, when it’s your kid. Santa Claus, my ass. Go for the girl behind the McDonald’s counter. It might not be me, this time. Statistically she is a better shot as a temporary guardian. Tris ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-you-trust-me-with-your-kid-you-fruitcake/200614/23 "2003-09-11T23:51:14Z")
I think there should be public service announcements on this subject. If people don’t have common sense anymore, then maybe they need more formal education. ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-you-trust-me-with-your-kid-you-fruitcake/200614/24 "2003-09-11T23:52:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lissa \* > **The eldest said that when she was three (making her younger sister about one) their mother had been giving them a bath when she got into a fight with her boyfriend. He ran out of the house, and she chased after him. When mommy didn’t come home, she carried her sister down the street to a neighbor’s house because they were hungry. Thankfully, this stranger was a kind woman who fed the girls and put them to bed in a spare room.** Thankfully, that stranger was not me, who’d have called the cops and had that mother arrested for child abandonment. I’m not one to cry for calling child protection services on people, but that was certainly a time for it. ---
**Author:** ![Wabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba9def/32.png) [@Wabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wabbit)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-you-trust-me-with-your-kid-you-fruitcake/200614/25 "2003-09-12T00:32:12Z")
Heh–I don’t have this problem as apparently I am one scary looking mo-fo (I’m not really, but apparently my ‘at rest’ face is looks like everyone else’s ‘very pissed’ face). Ah well, I feel your pain. Sorta. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Eats\_Crayons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-you-trust-me-with-your-kid-you-fruitcake/200614/26 "2003-09-12T02:29:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by norinew \* > \*\*Instead, the book suggested that you teach your child that if they get separated from you, they should ask a grown woman with children for help. Not that no grown women with children would hurt a child, but statistically, they’re the least dangerous, and asking a low-risk person for help is better than just standing around looking lost. Of course, when my kids were little, I would also point out, in a store or something, what a store employee looked like (vest, nametag, whatever), and tell them, “if you get separated from me, find someone who works here and ask for help”. \*\* Hell, ya! As soon as I was able to talk and was mobile enough to get lost in K-mart, my mom taught me how to go straight to a cashier because they were unmistakably “employees on duty” (and they weren’t likely to leave the store or take me anywhere) because they could page my mom with the microphone or call a manager. I got lost in Storybook Gardens as a _really_ small tyke and went all the way back to the gate because the “ticket booth” was the only place that had a cash register and I didn’t trust any other adult. I knew to say “I’m lost can you page my mom. My name is Crayons.” I always thought it was fancy when I’d hear the page. Some of these stories are absolutely apalling! ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-you-trust-me-with-your-kid-you-fruitcake/200614/27 "2003-09-12T11:47:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by superstar \* > \*\*Sometimes I’m so desperate to have some time alone without my kid, some peace and quiet from the continual questions, loud screeeeeching like an aeroplane and the constant asking for things that I woulod probably leave my child with the next person who walked past! > Maybe she just wanted to get rid of the little one. The child is probably a real handful and she’ll do anything to rid her afternoon of the madness! > Take the time to scare the crap out of the kid so she will be better behaved for her mother, and then the mother can use you as a threat in the future…“If you don’t behave I’ll send you to that scary lady again”… \*\* Boy, do I hope you’re kidding. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-you-trust-me-with-your-kid-you-fruitcake/200614/28 "2003-09-12T12:12:30Z")
**Superstar** , you need some help. I think you’re overwhelmed with child-rearing. This is not the way to teach a child to behave. How do you teach a child the difference between leaving them with strangers at a mall and leaving them with strangers on their first day of school? Please, get your husband or mother or someone to watch your child while you take a break. All mothers have been where you are, and the smart ones know when to ask for help. ---
**Author:** ![Isabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5a626/32.png) [@Isabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isabelle)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-you-trust-me-with-your-kid-you-fruitcake/200614/29 "2003-09-12T18:29:38Z")
I would have said “Well I need to check with my parole officer. Last I checked I wasn’t allowed to be around little children” That should have shut her up **dragongirl** ---
**Author:** ![superstar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f4b2a3/32.png) [@superstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/superstar)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-you-trust-me-with-your-kid-you-fruitcake/200614/30 "2003-09-12T23:20:42Z")
Of course I was kidding, but those of you with children would understand that these feelings do come into your head sometimes. Of course I would never leave my little one with anyone I didn’t trust 100%,in fact the only person I’ve ever left him with is his Grandmother and no-one else, but the idea of a couple of hours of quality time alone does make me daydream. My attempt at a little humour was obviously not appreciated, if only you could have heard the funny voice I used when I typed it. ---
**Author:** ![superstar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f4b2a3/32.png) [@superstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/superstar)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-you-trust-me-with-your-kid-you-fruitcake/200614/31 "2003-09-12T23:20:44Z")
Of course I was kidding, but those of you with children would understand that these feelings do come into your head sometimes. Of course I would never leave my little one with anyone I didn’t trust 100%,in fact the only person I’ve ever left him with is his Grandmother and no-one else, but the idea of a couple of hours of quality time alone does make me daydream. My attempt at a little humour was obviously not appreciated, if only you could have heard the funny voice I used when I typed it. ---
**Author:** ![nmdswife2006](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e47774/32.png) [@nmdswife2006](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nmdswife2006)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-you-trust-me-with-your-kid-you-fruitcake/200614/32 "2003-09-13T05:23:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by monstro \* > \*\*I think there should be public service announcements on this subject. If people don’t have common sense anymore, then maybe they need more formal education. \*\* Well, that is an excellent idea! ---
**Author:** ![MidnightRadio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@MidnightRadio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MidnightRadio)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-you-trust-me-with-your-kid-you-fruitcake/200614/33 "2003-09-13T06:56:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lissa \* > \*\*I think I would have taken the child [that the woman left with Gravity] directly to the security desk and handed them over to the security officers with an explanation of what had happened. Hopefully, the moment of panic she felt when she saw the child was gone might have made her wake up to what she was doing. \*\* Wonderful idea! ---
**Author:** ![pencilpusher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d6d6ee/32.png) [@pencilpusher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pencilpusher)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-you-trust-me-with-your-kid-you-fruitcake/200614/34 "2003-09-13T11:20:39Z")
**superstar** I feel your pain kiddo! I was feeling that way yesterday when my 7 month old wouldn’t stop crying. 4 HOURS of crying and shreaking and wailing. I thought I was gonna go NUTS. AH the joys of being a SAHM. I have left my baby with NOONE but his gramma and godmama and only a couple times each when things were really rough. I was in the hospital for a week last month and DH stayed home from work to watch him. We don’t trust ANYONE to watch him on an ongoing basis except ourselves. I cannot imagine just dumping him off with a total stranger! What is WRONG with those people?!?!? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-you-trust-me-with-your-kid-you-fruitcake/200614.md?page=1)