Barefoot child at Wal-Mart

[cassiesmom]

Can I just rant for a minute?

I went to Wal-Mart yesterday - something I don't do often, but yesterday's trip was a necessary one. Their prices on things like paper towels and toilet tissue, basic socks for work, and light bulbs are a help to me. Ours is a super Wal-Mart, so I was able to pick up a few other things there instead of having to go to the grocery store as well - a time-saver.

As I was checking out I noticed the people in front of me had a small child with them - I'd say preschool age, probably 3 or 4 - that was barefoot. The soles of his feet were filthy, so they must have brought him to the store without shoes. I followed them out of the store and they allowed the child to walk through the parking lot barefoot. I couldn't believe it.

What if that child would have stepped or slipped in a liquid spilled in the store? Or, heaven forbid, another person's body fluid infected with something awful? Or broken glass in the parking lot? I was flabbergasted that these parents would do such a thing. And also that the store would permit the child to walk around barefoot -- they're liable if the kid cuts his foot or worse. The parents were appropriately dressed (and shod). I don't know why they'd let the child leave the house without shoes.

And this is classist of me, but if the child is on Illinois All Kids, those are my tax dollars that will be paying for your son's lacerated foot, so put some shoes on that child NOW.

Thank you for letting me rant,
elyse

[Daisy and Delilah]

I'm with you, Elyse. I can't stand to go barefooted outside. I realize it's the way some people want to go or have to go but it is a pet peeve of mine. For every reason you mentioned. To not put shoes on a child is inexcusable.

[Lady's Human]

Well, to keep shoes on my daughter is a constant fight, possibly the parents got tired of it and saw that particular day as a battle that wasn't worth fighting in that regard.

[pomtzu]

Up until a few years ago, I went barefoot as much as possible, but only around the house and yard. Of course, I also ended up stepping on a lot of stinging insects too! I can't imagine anyone going without shoes in stores and parking lots. Most every store around here - and all restaurants - have a notice on the door - "shoes and shirts required". Thank goodness - some male species that I've seen without a shirt - well - it just isn't a pretty sight!

[Asiel]

I can't believe any parent would let a child go barefoot in stores and parking lots. Some people don't deserve kids period.

POM---put your shoes on

[cassiesmom]

Well, to keep shoes on my daughter is a constant fight, possibly the parents got tired of it and saw that particular day as a battle that wasn't worth fighting in that regard.

But, LH, in the grocery store, though? I guess I'm just a worry-wart. I'd be very concerned that the child could step on something nasty. The other thing is that this particular Wal-Mart's parking lot isn't lit too terribly well at night and there's almost always trash scattered around. Papers, empty cardboard boxes from pop and beer, cans and bottles and plastic bags even soiled diapers. One time I opened the car door and almost stepped on a used condom - yuck! I'd be afraid of the boy stepping on a nail or glass or who knows what else. If he wants to go round without shoes at home, that's okay with me, but for safety's sake not at the store. Especially that store- open and busy 24 hours a day. I'm not sure if it's up to wal-Mart or the shopping center management to keep the parking lot picked up but it's an ongoing task.

[Lady's Human]

Impossible to judge who what or why based on one incident of a child going barefoot.

IT happens.

You can what if all day long about thousands of things in life, with each what if ending horribly. For whatever reason, the child was barefoot. It happens. I know it happens with my kids on occasion. Doesn't mean I'm careless, it means someone was having a bad day.

[lizbud]

I wouldn't like to see a little kid going barefoot in a store or in a
store parking lot. Not a good idea at all, for all the reasons you've
already mentioned. As a parent it's our job to make decisions for our
kids. Barefoot at home is one thing, outside the safety of home, is
quite another.

[moosmom]

I swear I don't know where parent's minds are these days. Unbelievable!!!

[Lady's Human]

So everyone else's kids were immaculately clothed and groomed at all times outside the home ?

Never one thing amiss?

Give yourselves a group medal and a pat one the back, because you're the only parents in history to accomplish that.

[lizbud]

So everyone else's kids were immaculately clothed and groomed at all times outside the home ?

Never one thing amiss?

Give yourselves a group medal and a pat one the back, because you're the only parents in history to accomplish that.

No one claimed any such thing. I believe you're just being argumentative.
It isn't allways easy to be the parent & make informed decisions for your
children, but hey, it is our JOB & our responsibilty.

[Casper]

Maybe they were visiting from Arkansas. No one wears shoes here.

[Lady's Human]

No one claimed any such thing. I believe you're just being argumentative.

No. just amazed that people can be so judgmental about the parenting abilities of generations based on a child sighted in passing barefoot in a checkout line.

Big deal, the kid was barefoot.

[aTailOf2Kitties]

Nothing surprises me at WalMart anymore. It's practically a natural history museum dedicated to the lesser-evolved forms of human life.

[Lady's Human]

So.......what if someone, not wanting to be seen with a barefoot child in a store (they wouldn't want to be the cause for the damning of their generation's child rearing ability), left said child in the car while they ran in to grab something?

Or left a dog and two kids in a car while they ran into the local grocery store to grab a single item?

It's a no win.

Not everyone is going to conform to your belief of what the perfect parent is, and EVERYONE has bad hair days.