Oh I am soooo mad!!

[Colleen A.]

My son (12) was invited to a friend's birthday party today. No biggie. With 3 kids, I'm an old pro at these parties. The party was to end at 6 pm. They were taking a group of kids to the movies. I went to their townhouse...and no one was home!! Ok, 10 minutes later. Still nothing. Finally, a van pulls up and all the kids get out. There was a group of us parents waiting there and we all were frustrated. On the ride back home, he tells me about his day. First off, the van that they took to the movies was a cargo van - no seats (or seatbelts!!!) in the back!! The kids just sat on the floor holding onto a steel bar! Then, when they got to the movie theater, the parents just gave the kids money for the movie and snacks....and LEFT! I was totally floored!! Didn't they realize that something terrible could of happened to these kids, either on the ride there (and back) or alone in the theater?!! I am so mad that I really don't want to call this boy's parents at the moment.

Guess this just goes to show that even though your kids can know their friends for years, parents can still throw a curve ball!

 

[goofygirl]

Wow, thats really irresponsible, not to mention unusual!

I never heard of a kids b-day party where everyone piled into a van and was left at the movies! Very strange!

 

[musicfan]

That's completely irresponsible, but probably you won't have any luck talking with the parents. Anyone who would do that will probably be very defensive if you call them about it. I would just make sure my son never was left in their care again.

 

[DocRafiki]

Yikes. No sleep-overs at THEIR house!

 

[abaldacci]

I just did the same thing for my 14 BD party. She pick three girls and went went to eat at Logan's a steakouse. I even ask if the girls were allergic to peanuts before we went. Then we went to the movies and I sat three rows back from the girls but never would I even go to a different movie than them. ( which they wanted me todo)You just don't know what will happen this day and time(God I sound like my mom). OH YAH they all wore their seat belts.and me

 

[Pooh93]

Yikes! If you don't say anything to the parents I'd chalk it up as a bad experience and never again would I let my child go anywhere with them!

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Didn't you ask the parents the details when you RSVPd?

 

[Nutsy]

That is terrible.

My 13yr DS is always at me to let him & his 14yr old brother go to the movies alone, but I just can't do it.

I like to know that wherever they are that they are ok & if that means that I go to the movies as well then so be it.

Otherwise we just wait till the movie comes out on Video & hire it out from the video shop.

 

[browneyes]

I'd be mad too.

 

[PhotobearSam]

That's awful.

These are the people you see on the news saying..."I never meant for anyone to get hurt..."

I would ask the other parents kids who also went if they knew about this.

 

[Dan Murphy]

You sure would assume the kids would wear belts and a parent stay with the kids. Some folks are just lax and oblivious to being responsible.

 

[Colleen A.]

I told my sister and father about what happened yesterday. They think I'M over-reacating!! I need to "cut the cord" and "he's not a baby anymore". Ugh!! Don't they realize what could of happened?!

When I RSVPed, I was told "we're taking the kids to the movies". I never would of imagined that they would not of gone. If they want to allow their kids to go to the movies alone, that is their decision to make. When other children are involved, they had the responsibilty to check with each and every parent that it was an okay decision with them as well. They didn't even make sure the kids got into the theater before they left! Kirk told me that when the birthday boy went up to order the tickets, he actually tried to get them into an R!!! They saw The Tuxedo instead.

I have a "hunch" that Kirk will not be going to this boy's house EVER AGAIN!!

 

[newmousecateer]

Totally irresponsible and unacceptable.