I try to steer clear of controversial topics. I may have my opinion about certain things, but I rarely speak my mind unless I am surrounded by family and friends whom I trust . . . or if I really, truly believe the topic is one of value.
This is one of those times.
A woman is claiming she was kicked out a Brad Paisley concert for breastfeeding her child. You can read the story yourself on Taste of Country. Here are the facts we've been told:
- A woman had her 4 month old baby in the pit at a Brad Paisley concert
- Police told the woman she needed to leave the pit because the baby could be harmed.
- The mother said the baby was fine.
- The police, again, told the woman she needed to leave the pit.
- The mother says the baby, who was sleeping, was fine, and had attended a concert there before and had no problems.
- Police told her she could go sit in another seat or she could leave.
- She chose to leave.
- The mother now says she was kicked out because she was breastfeeding.
Ok . . . am the only one who sees this as completely stupid? Why in the world is this even a conversation? Why is it a debate?
I don't understand why a mother would take her 4 month old child to the pit? And if the baby is sleeping, why is she claiming this is a breastfeeding issue? I'm just completely dumbfounded.
My children are 11 and 13 and I wouldn't take them into the pit. I am not passing judgment on anyone who does take OLDER children to the pit. Its just not for me . . . I'd be far too worried about their safety to enjoy the concert. I mean, the pit is ROUGH sometimes. There is beer dripping, elbows flying, people pushing . . . and this woman had a FOUR MONTH OLD in that setting?
Like I said, I'm not passing judgment on people who choose to take the OLDER children to the pit . . .you bet I'm going to judge her.
Judge is the wrong word. There is only One who can pass judgement on others. But I will certainly voice that I do not agree with this woman, nor would I even slightly defend her position.
This is not a breastfeeding issue. This is a parenting issue.
Kind of like leaving a child in a car. I don't get it.
For me, deciding to become a parent was a very conscious decision. I had to be tested for everything, background checks galore . . . I even had to provide vet records for my dog. I had letters of recommendation. I had to be approved by an adoption agency. I had to be approved by a judge. The judge told me when I could actually have my children come live with me.
And then, for three years after that, someone came to my house to check to make sure I was a fit parent.
One time I got an email from the adoption agency telling me I placed my crock pot in an area that would be unsafe for my children.
I went through all of that to be a parents And Lord knows, I have never ever regretted a single part of that decision. My children are MY children; the ones God chose for me. Of that, I am sure. And I would do everthing all over again if I needed
I wonder what the world would be like if everyone had to go through the same rigmarole to become parents? Would there be children left in cars or infants in concert pits? I don't know. What I do know is that it makes me angry when I hear about infants not being cared for properly because I would have given the world to be able to hold my babies when they were infants. And I know there are other childless parents out there that would give up any concert in the world to be able to hold their baby closet to their chest . . . Brad Paisley will have other concerts . . . your baby is only a baby once. Treasure that time.