Kids playing in the fountains at Epcot??

[Laugh O. Grams]

I certainly did not mean to start a debate on this. I was just guessing as to what was referred to earlier in the post about the boycot. I do not endorse or believe in the boycot. I know about it because I was inundated with emails about it at the start of the war. I do not care where a person was born, we are all humans and we need to treat each other the way we would want to be treated. I have never been out of the U.S. so I am sure that is a big part of my fear. Unfortunately all I know is what is shown on TV. I very rarely watch news anymore for this very reason. I can't take all the negativity. I know I should not be afraid of how I will be treated in other countries, and I'm working on it. Maybe my first trip overseas will be to the Disney in Paris. I know that the majority of people everywhere are good at heart. If everyone was as nice as all the DIS folks the world would be a wonderful place. Thanks and I hope you understand, sometimes it is hard to write what I am trying to say.

My remarks were made about a general feeling, and not only from some of the things stated on this particular thread, that I get from many fellow Americans these days, and most who have never travelled outside of the country. It was by no means a personal attack against you. When we tell friends that we're travelling to Chile or France or Great Britian, really anywhere, there are always a number of people who tell us, oh...I wouldn't go...they don't like us over there! It's just downright wrong and I can't tell you how frustrating it is to hear. It's the perpetuation of a sterotype or predjudice that you know is completely untrue. Unfortunately, this belief is propped up by many news or political "sources" here in the States to sell more TV spots or get you to vote for them, and believe me, neither political party is innocent.
I do hope you travel outside of the country some day, and honestly, I'd surprised if you didn't ! There are so many incredible places to see and fantasic people to meet, it would be a shame if you don't!

 

[sleepyone]

Run and hide, everyone - the molesters are EVERYWHERE!

Yeesh. Protect your child - you bet. I protected mine. But to let paranoia run your lives is wrong; it's a sad thing when a people lives in fear....

Oh, never mind; as long as some folks think that the human body is dirty, shameful and should be hidden (true to our Puritan roots), we're going to continue to be a repressed & uptight society.

Sorry - just a cry for sanity; feel free to resume your trembling....

As for me, I don't let paranoia run my life but, I'm aware of my surroundings and want to protect my children. I also don't think the human body is dirty or shameful but, there are child molesters around and yes they are probably some in your neighborhood or town. If there are any parents reading this who are curious try a search for child molesters in your state. Once you find your state's page you can look for your area.

 

[umbluegray]

Sorry. I've been out of pocket for a while. Not trying to dodge the "boycot" question.

I tend NOT to believe our media at face value. I do tend to get as much information as possible before making a decision.

My mention of boycot is due to what another poster suggested -- France and Germany gave the U.S. so much grief about the Iraq situation, but in the end, it was France and Germany who were involved in the Oil for Food scandal.

I don't want to get too political in this forum, so I'll leave it at that.

and most certainly I would not deny any type of human decency to an person or persons from those nations with whom I have political disagreements.

I'm from the South and we pride ourselves on our Southern Hospitality!

 

[Tiggernut_jadie]

Well, living in the UK I must have missed that one - except for us all grumbling about having to be finger printed and possibly having to pay a small fortune for a visa at the Embassy (where people have been known to have to wait all day for a 10 minute interview - despite being given an appt time) for something daft we might have done 30 years ago as kids.......

I love Americans but know of many British people who have decided not to travel to the US as they feel their human rights are being violated. And no, I'm not someone who's had the experience but have seen other DIS members literally reduced to tears worrying!

As for kids playing in their underwear. Wherever you go, Europe or no, what you see children doing is all down to personal, and parental, views. I, personally, find it much more disturbing to see children dressed as mini adults and feel that these are the children more likely to be targetted by a 'perv' armed with a camera!
Again, personal views

I almost always pack a bathing costume for DD (6) but, if I forget, then she'll play in her undies

Alison

I agree 100% with this post! Well said Alison! My DSis is VERY anti-war and can't believe I would spend my money going to America! But as I pointed out to her, not everyone in the US was FOR the war, just as not everyone in Europe was AGAINST it!

With regards to the OP.....I always try to remember to take a swimsuit for my DD (4) but if not, as Alison said, then she can go in the fountain in her panties! Of course there is the risk of 'perverts' but my DD is only a child once and loves water so I would NOT let her miss out just becasue of the MINISCULE risk that someone might take a photo of her!

 

[iheartdisney]

At Toontown, we let the kids have a blast on Donald's Boat, and
I let my DD2 run around in nothing but a pullup!
Even worse, nephews 3,5,and 8 got to take off their shirts
Even niece 6 took off her shirt to play. I don't consider myself liberal, BUT COME ON- they are children!
(About the snaeakers thing, all shoes came off before we started to play)

 

[CrazyforDisney]

I think its ok to have toddlers run around in their diapers, but not naked. Diapers are easy to change. When a boy/girl gets into panties/underwear they should have either a bathing suit or shorts, no shirt is ok at that age. For girls they shoudl start keeping their tops on when they start feeling uncomfortable or when they start to develop. But I do not think any child should be running around naked in public.

 

[brittsmum1998]

Forget about the wet underwear and clothes...
Whenever I see a kid dancing in the fountains there's one thing I'm thinking of....
W E T S N E A K E R S !!!!!!!
So parents, please, if you're gonna let your kid play in the fountains, bring an extra set of sneaks or just take their sneakers off and let them go barefoot!
Everyone knows it takes forever and a day to get sneakers to dry and most people only bring one set of sneakers. Don't do that to your kid. Everyone wants to be comfortable. It will make your time in the parks more enjoyable, and your kids won't walk around complaining - and no blisters....

also a pair of shorts if they get wet. My DD4 wore terrycloth shorts I think and man what a chaffing rash she got walking around after. It was on the inside of her thighs. It doesn't take up too much room to bring an extra pair.

 

[Tinkim]

My kids all played in the fountain at Epcot. My two boys 10 and 12 took off their shoes and socks and DD7 took off her shoes and socks. I told them they could cool off but try not to get too wet because we didn't bring a change of clothes that day. They had a good time and got cooled off. It is my belief that my kids were all too old to be running around in underwear (nor did they want to) but there was a little boy who was maybe 2 in his underwear and he was having the time of his life. It did not phase me that he was in his undies and everyone around was getting a great laugh watching him stand over the fountain waiting for the water to shoot up. I understand the concern though because there was no way to take a picture of my kids without having the little boy in his undies in the picture. My kids seemed to develop modesy on their own and I think it is understandable that people from other countries don't feel the same way that we do and we should respect that and do what we think is right while they do what they think is right.