Email of the Day

Dear Dr. Laura, 

My husband and I have flexible work schedules, and therefore, we biked to the nearby zoo. Resting on a bench, we decided to people watch before we animal watched.  It was then I saw firsthand the importance of being your kid's mom. 

I watched as a group of children, from a local day care center, were hustled around from animal to animal while holding a long rope which was led by day care employee. The children looked tired and hot. They seemed to be dreading their time at the zoo, which broke my heart. As they shuffled past us, some other children came by with their mother. These children looked happy, hydrated, and were laughing. Their mother stopped at every exhibit, read the signs to them, and helped them see the animal in the exhibit. It was really touching to watch the love and attention these children were getting, plus they were actually LEARNING about the animals! 

All night, I couldn't stop thinking about those poor children, and how their parents probably think they're doing the right thing by working; yet these children were/are miserable. I am sure they would rather have more Mommy or Daddy time than a bigger house, more toys, and be nothing more than a number to day care center. If those children's parents think the day care employees really care about them, they're dead wrong. The treatment I witnessed at the zoo was not loving or care taking. On the contrary, it was same treatment cowboys give cattle when they're trying to herd them into their pens. This was an eye-opening experience for me, and I PROMISE I will raise my own child not have someone else do it, because I am going to raise a child, not a cow. 

Sandra