And, for a real child-related-rant....

[conuly]

Folks, let's just ask a simple question.

Let's say that there's someplace you really want to be - a dog park, a playground, a classroom, a bathroom, a fenced yard... whatever. Point is, in order to get inside, you have to open some sort of gate or door. So you open it, and you go inside. Or maybe you're leaving, so you open it and go outside.

When you've done this, do you...

[Poll #992256]

I'm hoping you all answer correctly! Now, let's say you're going in, and the place is just *full* of rambunctious critters who are liable to escape - and you have one too! Assuming you picked anything other than the correct answer before, can I assume that you at least care about your own critter's safety and will properly close the door/gate behind you?

[Poll #992257]

Because we all know that when doors and gates are left open, and dogs and children escape, it's never the fault of the people who kept walking in and out and in and out and re-opening that damn door or gate!!!!!

What should I do when I see this going on?

[Poll #992258]

Comments

[strega42.livejournal.com]

Explaining my "other" answer on poll 3, as requested.

For me, I'd take my very young child somewhere else at that point, I can find another park/museum/event/something. I really don't want my young, impressionable dear children picking up that kind of thoughtlessness if I can help it. Older kids (7-8 and up) would be a somewhat different story as their attention spans are long enough for the explanation about why being inconsiderate is bad.

[conuly]

Given that this is an ongoing problem *wherever* I go, that's not an option.

At any rate, both niecelings seem to have picked up the message "Always close doors behind you" very well.

[conuly]

They also, even the baby, have a concept of "Don't leave this area", which is what really annoys me, since most of the people I see doing this, their kids don't have this concept (even at Ana's age or older!) or are young enough that, like Evangeline, it's a surprise if they do.