horrible story in NY papers today -- 3 year old boy died

[mrsltg]

Being part of a family who suffered the loss of a child I know how guilt-stricken parents become regardless of the circumstances. My mother is a broken soul to this day, even though it's been nearly 23 years since my sister died.

Indeed. It is a loss that is unbelievable until you've been through it and realize that, hey, you can feel pain you had no idea was possible to live through.

This is a tragic event. It's horrible that this child died.

His parents are morons for taking him to this movie. Does this mean he should die or that his death is their punishment? Of course not! I don't recall seeing anyone say anything remotely like that. The rag, ummm excuse me, Newsday, felt it was necessary to repeat the name of the movie they were at. Clearly the writer had the same "what the heck" reaction that most of us are experiencing. It doesn't mean we're going to tar and feather the parents for heaven's sake.

Erin

 

[cheyita]

This is a horrible story. I feel terrible for that family. I also hate to see young children at PG-13 and R movies, but that makes no difference to me in how tragic this is. This could have easily happened at any G-rated movie.

Choking has always been one of my greatest fears with my children, but I will admit I don't cut up their hot dogs anymore and let them eat popcorn, etc. Sometimes I worry that I've become too leniant, but at what age do we consider them safe to put a whole grape in their mouth, or an unsliced hot dog? Parents can drive themselves crazy with worry!

I had a scare a couple of months ago when - on a hot summer day - my DD8 was drinking ice water, took an ice cube in her mouth and it got stuck momentarily in her throat. I noticed she wasn't breathing for a few seconds and was about to start a Heimlich when I suppose the ice melted enough to go down. I don't know if kids can actually choke on ice or if it always would melt in time, but it was the worst feeling I've ever had.

 

[chager]

Originally posted by cheyita
I had a scare a couple of months ago when - on a hot summer day - my DD8 was drinking ice water, took an ice cube in her mouth and it got stuck momentarily in her throat. I noticed she wasn't breathing for a few seconds and was about to start a Heimlich when I suppose the ice melted enough to go down. I don't know if kids can actually choke on ice or if it always would melt in time, but it was the worst feeling I've ever had.

This happened to my cousin about 10 yrs ago. He was 8-9 at the time. We were at McDonalds and he started choking. Only we didn't know it was ice he was choking on. We had the squad called (once I got through to the manager we had a choking child ) It turned out to be ice, but it was scarey. They checked his throat to make sure it wasn't scratched and gave him a clean bill of health. Needless to say we had a no ice rule for a while after that.

 

[crazymomof4]

I'm begining to think that EVERYTHING on the CB turns into a "debate".

The MOVIE!?!? Really!!!

I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child. I don't know what I'd do!

I would like to thank the OP for posting this. I just told the story to my 7 yo DS and spoke to him about being very careful when eating popcorn, ie: chewing well, not shoving too much in his mouth, talking, etc. It has also made me re-evaluate what I feed my soon-to-be 4 yo DD. I've been letting her eat cashews bc. she loves them. The quote from the Dr. about the airway being the size of a straw made me think that I'd better break them up a bit. My point is that the tragedy of this poor family can be used to educate parents and prevent more tragedies.

I hope I don't get flamed for "scaring" my DS 7 with the popcorn story and start a whole new debate

 

[jennyanydots]

I suppose I should be led away in handcuffs...

when my now-12-year-old daughter was only 4, I took her to see "Beauty and the Beast" on Broadway. the scene where Belle is attacked by wolves was so scary that my dd practically crawled under her seat.

so give me the "bad mommy" award and ask how that child possibly lived to see her 12th birthday.

unbelievable.

 

[jennyanydots]

Originally posted by crazymomof4
I'm begining to think that EVERYTHING on the CB turns into a "debate".

The MOVIE!?!? Really!!!

I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child. I don't know what I'd do!

I would like to thank the OP for posting this. I just told the story to my 7 yo DS and spoke to him about being very careful when eating popcorn, ie: chewing well, not shoving too much in his mouth, talking, etc. It has also made me re-evaluate what I feed my soon-to-be 4 yo DD. I've been letting her eat cashews bc. she loves them. The quote from the Dr. about the airway being the size of a straw made me think that I'd better break them up a bit. My point is that the tragedy of this poor family can be used to educate parents and prevent more tragedies.

I hope I don't get flamed for "scaring" my DS 7 with the popcorn story and start a whole new debate

the whole story had me upset, partially because of my fnend whose nephew died, partially because I knew about grapes and hot dogs but never thought about popcorn as a choking hazard, and partially because this poor family -- they were just turning their lives around, trying to get their act together and move out of the homeless shelter. the Daily News reports that so many generous New Yorkers came forward to donate money so the family could have a proper funeral for the child.