Parenthood 101

I saw something today that left me rather disturbed.  Seth and I had to run to the local grocery store for a few things this afternoon.  I know that it’s hot everywhere, but it is just sweltering here in Covington.  I think the temperature was 99 with a heat index of 105.  Not the kind of weather you want to spend much time in.  As we get ready to go in the grocery store, a little girl, probably around 9 years old, asks me if I would like to buy a raffle ticket.  Choosing not to waste my money, I politely told her no.  I did notice though, that there were no adults around her.  Seemingly no one there watching her.  I promise you, in today’s times, I try my very best not to let my children out of my sight for one second.  There are simply too many evils lurking around us.  As we finished our shopping and left, there was a young boy now stationed at the exit door.  Again, probably 10 or 11, hawking raffle tickets.  Once again, I politely declined and looked for his parent or guardian.  I saw no one.  Finally, as I was walking across the parking lot, I turned back around to see a woman parked in the fire lane of the grocery store, windows rolled up, air conditioning no doubt running, watching the kids.  Apparently she was their “guardian”.  Can I say how sorry this is?  As a parent, don’t send your kids out in the heat to try and sell raffle tickets if you aren’t willing to get out there with them.  Apparently it was too hot for her to be outside, but not to make her kids be outside.  I found this horrible.  If I am not willing to do something, I should not expect my children to do it.  Children are a gift from God and they should be treated as such.