Last night, I came across the news story of the 2 year old toddler who was dragged away from his family while attending a movie night on the beach near the Grand Floridian Resort. As a huge fan of Disney, I’m in several Disney Facebook groups and the speculation and gossip about what had happened truly made me sick. I couldn’t sleep last night and while a good amount of my friends had sympathy for the parents, a majority were judging those parents for letting the toddler be so close to the water. For not keeping an eye on them. Heck, I’m sure some were simply judging the parents for bring them to Walt Disney World in the first place. {rolls eyes}
The thing is, that could have been me because I am not a perfect parent. There is NO such thing as a perfect parent. I’m so sick and tired of the judging going on, especially in recent months. I don’t know if it’s made worse with social media or it’s just how society is lately.
It could have been one of my kids last night. 5 years ago, we stayed at The Grand Floridian Resort. My son was three years old and he played on that very beach. Yes, there are no swimming signs and he didn’t go into the water. He COULD have – he’s a toddler and we all know how fast toddlers are. But he was right at the water’s edge like I’m sure hundreds if not thousands of people do at Walt Disney World each year.
Officials are also reporting that “the family was sitting near the water, not swimming or wading in it”. I’ve seen so many comments from people saying they should have known better or not have been so close to the water. How is it the parent’s fault when they were sitting on the beach, enjoying a movie near the water? (Updated – I’m now reading he was in the water. But again, he’s a toddler. I can’t imagine how fast he must have gotten away from his parents.)
We need to stop the judging. I don’t judge the poor mother who has been constantly judged for her son falling into the gorilla closure. I don’t judge these parents. I have 3 kids…and I know that it could be me some day. What parents have to do is come together and support each other. These parents need our thoughts, our prayers, our good vibes and our pixie dust. What was supposed to be a vacation in the Happiest Place on Earth has turned into their worst nightmare and I can’t stop thinking that it could have been me.
My heart is breaking for this family. Let’s come together and support them and send love to them. It could have been us.
cole says
not a parent but it seems obvious to me that these accidents, unfortunately, happen so quickly. Most parents have a story of their kid disappearing in a public spot or falling from something.. and it turned out okay, but it’s usually just chance that makes the difference between something like this and a story that turns out much better. It’s just so sad.
Kelly says
Well said.
Nina page says
Perfectly said.
Stormie says
Very well said !
Holly Duce says
I can’t believe how quick people are to judge instead of having empathy. What a horrible tragedy. My heart goes out to the family.
Randi says
Thank you so much for saying this. I don’t have any kids yet (trust me I want them) but I’m someone who is the last of her friends to have kids. I was 2nd parent to my much younger siblings and I helped raise them with my single mom. Still, though, I don’t have too much clout when it comes to the parenting community.
I scroll through Facebook and see these horrid comments about what the parents *should* have done. As if these parents aren’t replaying those last moments and scrutinizing them repeating to themselves, “I should have…” My heart breaks for this family and I’m disgusted by all of these Moms of the Year who think they could have prevented it, having never been in this situation. It sickens me.
Again, I have no kids but I’m an old soul and firmly believe in the “it takes a village” mentality. I don’t believe in judging parents for these accidents. I wish I could hug them and tell them to not blame themselves.
Thank you for your post.
Denise says
Thank you for this! Those parents need support not judgment, I simply can’t imagine what they’re going through and you’re right it could have been any of us.
Donna says
No one is a perfect parent but are U a neglectful parent it’s a difference U know kids cannot take care or watch themselves U know yes accidents will happen I am not judging anyone but just take responsibility for your actions bottom line their is no blame or shame it’s called responsibility
Jax says
And yet this comment is full of blame and shame…
My heart breaks for these parents. They were doing what so many others have done before them, and so many people have posted photos of their kids splashing their feet in the same lagoon. The sign said NO SWIMMING, but he wasn’t. I’m sure they would have kept a further distance, as would everyone, if the sign also mentioned gators. This was not about lacking responsibility. This was a tragic and heartbreaking accident.
Kim Delatorre says
My goodness!!!
Sippy Cup Mom says
This was a complete freak accident. I don’t believe those parents were being neglectful at all. They were doing what hundreds, probably thousands of parents have done before. It’s the same as if a car was to come at you, you never think a gator will lunge after and grab your child.
theresa says
Amen……….. enough said.. Those parents are devastated and it would be so nice to have society show compassion……. my thoughts and prayers go out to this family.
Angela Saver says
My heart bleeds for these parents! They are in my thoughts & prayers!
Kim Delatorre says
This has been on my mind since I first heard he was dragged away by that alligator. I have been following this story and reading the hateful comments from MANY MANY people. It sickens me to hear the evilness being spewed from these people! It is horrible. There were even people using “LOL”. Can you believe that?! Then, when the gators had to be euthanized in order to try to find this precious baby boy, people were more concerned with those gators and their lives, then that of this baby boys! I had to just stop reading these comments because I was SO upset! Some of these comments were from bloggers!!!! People are so evil and think they can say ANYTHING they want to because they are hiding like a coward behind their computers. I bet you a million dollars, if this EVER happened to one of those hatred filled people, God forbid, they would NOT be feeling the same way!!! I have been praying for this family since day one and I will continue to do so. My heart aches 🙁
Sara Phillips says
I am heartbroken for that family. I can’t imagine taking a magical vacation to only have it turn into a nightmare (really, in under 30 seconds).
It really could have been any family. I wish we could come together in prayer and support for them.
Kelly says
I disagree in one aspect. There is such a thing as a perfect parent. A parent that would love their child unconditionally and risk their own life to save their child’s. This child had the perfect parents. Life happens and unfortunately, this was the story written for them. Kids are borrowed until they are called to serve a greater purpose.
Brandy says
You said this very well. Hugs!
shelley zurek says
My heart breaks for this family as well. They did nothing wrong. An alligator popped up on the shore and grabbed their child. This was an freak act not bad parenting IMO
Michele Evans says
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