A Rant and a Question about being overprotective

**shortstack** · 01-28-2009, 09:39 AM

I took my little boy to pre-school this morning and as we were getting out of the car a lady I had never seen before walked over to me and asked me to walk her granddaughter into the school. She handed the little girl her backpack and told me to tell her teacher that her tuition money was inside. Shocked I agreed and began to walk inside with her and my son. The little girl grabbed my hand as if this was nothing out of the ordinary and I took her backpack for her because it was clear that at 3 years of age it was way to heavy for her.
Anyway to make a long story short am I overprotective of my children or was this just not right? Isn't it weird for that lady to trust me with her granddaughter when she did not know me at all? I always make sure my kids are in their classrooms, settled and happy before I leave their schools. I am not allowed to walk my daughter in her school but I wait outside, in my car until she comes to her classroom window and waves to me goodbye.
What if I wanted to steal the little girl or her tuition money?

Andrea

**writtenonmybody** · 01-28-2009, 09:48 AM

I would do the same thing you do and agree with you. Maybe she was just very trusting? I dunno. You've never met this woman before? I think it's just weird.

**mom2bobsarah** · 01-28-2009, 09:51 AM

No, I do not think you are being overprotective. At my kids school you have to walk your pre-schooler in and you have to sign them out at the end of the day on a sheet, everyday. People just don't think sometimes, especially grandparents, I think they still believe that bad things don't happen to kids.

Perhaps if you know the parents you might want to say something to them as they may not realize this is happening or let the school know. The next person may not get that little girl to her class.

**TexasPeanut** · 01-28-2009, 10:00 AM

You are not overprotective, that lady is a bit under-protective if you ask me. It's one thing to know another parent and ask them to do this as a favor because you are just in a huge hurry, but to ask someone you don't even know? Maybe because it was her granddaughter and she normally doesn't take her to school she didn't know what to do, but still she could have walked her into the office or something. And to tell you to tell the teacher about the money? That to me, is insane.

I was one of those "stay until I see you go into the room" kind of parents when my DS was in elementary.

**nancycg56** · 01-28-2009, 10:03 AM

That was weird and no you are NOT overprotective!

**G'MaDebbie** · 01-28-2009, 10:07 AM

No, I do not think you are being over protective, and if my parents were doing that with my child, I would be furious! I would definately say something to her parents. I am also a grandparent, and know full well that my DIL and DS would have my hiney in a wringer if I did something like that.
That lady is very lucky that you are a good person, next time she may not be so lucky. I am wondering if maybe there is a problem with paying her tuition and the woman was embarrassed to deal with it, which is no excuse, but possibly an answer as to why she did that.

**shortstack** · 01-28-2009, 10:46 AM

I don't know her parents at all. She is in a different class then my son. I did tell her teacher though and I'm hoping she says something about it.
Andrea

**pen32** · 01-28-2009, 10:47 AM

i think it is something you should definately bring to the attention of the school...
you are right...fortunately you aren't a nut case, this time the little girl was in good hands...
but what about the next time this happens? or if they do this sort of thing at the park...'can you watch my kid for me while i get something out of my car'?
you can't be too overprotective when your kids are that young and you are concerned for their saftey. this isnt a concern about parenting differences, this is child safety. its not like you are questioning how they raise their kid- what time she goes to bed, if she watches too much tv, etc...you are worried that someone might steal their kid!
...tell the principal, this way you can sleep at night...

**TigerGirl1226** · 01-28-2009, 10:53 AM

All I can think is that maybe she had other children in the car and didn't want to leave them unattended? :shrug:

**Gibs** · 01-28-2009, 11:10 AM

Very weird. I do not think that you are over protective. Thats really weird of that lady, almost as if she was afraid to bring this little girl into the school. You know what comes to mind (and parhaps I am not a very trusting person because of my past) but I was thinking that parhaps there is no money in her book bag, she told u it was, the teacher will look, no money, and parhaps u will be blamed. That is exactly my first thought.

Anyway I lived in a smaller place when my kids did go to preschool most of us parents knew each other ok, and I still would NOT have handed someone else my child to bring in to school, unless it was my best friend, myself or my husband that was all who ever dropped them off or picked them up.

**AmyBoz** · 01-28-2009, 11:13 AM

I don't think you are being overprotective. You can never be too careful.

**IntlMom** · 01-28-2009, 11:22 AM

That's just plain weird. I commend you for bringing it to the teachers attention.

**redhead68** · 01-28-2009, 01:29 PM

Here's a good response I learned recently: "I'm sorry. Since I don't know you, I don't feel comfortable taking on responsibility for your [fill in the blank]. I'm sure you understand." It will take the wind right from the sails of the person taking advantage of you.

**Momto2Boyz** · 01-28-2009, 02:02 PM

We have to sign the kids in and out at school too. And if someone other than a parent is picking them up, we have to write a note and that person has to show their driver's license. At my son's grade school, I can't even do that! If they are not on our emergency contact list, they are not allowed to pick up our kids...period.

It seems really strange, probably a good thing you brought it up to the teacher.

There is a point in life when kids need some freedom and responsibility, but age 3 isn't it!~

**MomToTwoBoys** · 01-28-2009, 02:51 PM

I wouldn't even do that with my 10yo. Wow...

All of the schools here require the parents to drop them off unless they're within walking distance or are old enough to be there by themselves. My 5yo's class needs to be familiar with who is picking up the kids and dropping them off. I never let my kids go to school unless I'm with them or I know someone who is taking them there.