Whatever.

[DisLaw]

This reminded me of something that happened to me last year. I was traveling alone on business to Orlando and happened to have some free time so I headed to Downtown Disney to do some shopping. While there I saw lots of girls coming from the bibbity bobbity boutique looking so cute! This was the first time I had seen this in person although I had read about it on the DIS.

I sooo wanted to take a picture on my cellphone to send to my kids to show them how cute the kids looked. But as I started to do this I felt kind of weird, I don't know. I was thinking that these parents are going to think I am some kind of weirdo taking pictures of their kids. I even thought about going up to them to ask permission but again I just felt funny about it. I mean I am an a middle aged woman dressed nicely in my work clothes but I still thought that people would think I was doing something strange!

To be honest, I don't think I would like a stranger taking a picture of my kids either. I never post pictures of them on web either. So I totally would understand if a parent said no pictures please.

To the OP, I would have said something to a CM and I think my husband might have said something to the creepy guy!

 

[squirrlygirl]

I think the point that so many are missing here is that the OP, as a parent "felt" that something was wrong with this guy and his picture taking. There is a wonderful book called Protecting the Gift It discusses ways to protect your children without making them afraid of strangers. In it, he stresses that we must trust our instincts as parents and as humans in general. He maintains that no other animal would try to ignore their instincts that something was not right and that we do a great disservice to ourselves when we do.

There may have been 30 people taking pictures of the OP's daughter on that same day and she never noticed, or if she did, her subconscious mind felt no threat by it. She's not here complaining or posting about any of those people. THIS man made her feel threatened and she did exactly the right thing by listening to her instinct to protect her child.

I have no desire to argue the rightness or wrongness of taking pictures of others or their children. Although I am fairly disgusted by the idea that there are those who feel your child is not a victim if their photo is used by some pedophile to get off Mostly I just want to applaud the OP for trusting her instincts and keeping her child safe

Kelma
Mom to 2 princes and 2 princesses

Thank you.

 

[TheMightyOb]

OP - that is definately creepy, and even if you can't prove that he's a creep, you have the right to talk to a CM and let them know you feel uncomfortable with it. I would if someone was taking pictures of my girls (8,5) over and over again...especially at Disney. Theres lots to take pictures of at the park other than a strangers kids.

So assuming you told a CM, maybe they would tell the guy. If he's not a creep, he'd probably feel embarassed and not make that mistake again. If he is, maybe you scared him away for the day...

Something like this happened to my girls at the store last week. Some lady was literally following us around staring at my 5 year old like she was the most cuddly, cute teddy bear ever seen. IT WAS WEIRD, and I was ready to pounce if anything happened...but I just watched her for a bit before (over)reacting. I soon could tell that she had issues mentally, and I wasn't freaked out anymore. She was wathcing my crazy kids antics...she is quite the character

In summary, if you think somethin is up its worth mentioning to a cm, but not worth melting down about and casuing a fight unless you know there is a problem.

 

[jodifla]

This thread is so strange. I can't believe the needless paranoia that goes on.


Again, if your kid is out in the open, you really don't have much recourse. People can take pictures. And, people can LOOK at your kids!!!! With their eyes, and all.

 

[livie1205]

What scares me most about this thread is the "witch hunt" mentality that is going on here and is being applauded by the majority!!!

Think about this, it is a very frightening thought. So many of you are ready to persecute this man for doing nothing in reality!! what ever happened to innocent until proven guilty? What is next reporting people to security for thinking something you don't like?

The guy was probably taking pics of something else (there are tons of people there) and when he was done walked off and never even paying attention to some lady giving him the stink eye!I am sorry but that is just a lot of paranoid thinking.Is the child so pretty that he did not pay attention to the other thousand kids in the area? If I go somewhere like wdw I assume I will at some point be on film in some way and so will my family...it is one of the most public places you can go! I am sure in his mind he was walking off while in hers he was running away.

 

[squirrlygirl]

The guy was probably taking pics of something else (there are tons of people there) and when he was done walked off and never even paying attention to some lady giving him the stink eye!I am sorry but that is just a lot of paranoid thinking.Is the child so pretty that he did not pay attention to the other thousand kids in the area? If I go somewhere like wdw I assume I will at some point be on film in some way and so will my family...it is one of the most public places you can go! I am sure in his mind he was walking off while in hers he was running away.

Wow. I am sorry that you didn't take the time to read what actually happened and instead jumped on the popular bandwagon of the day.

It's amazing that I am just so over-the-top paranoid that this is the first time I've ever had my radar go off in dozens of trips into the parks. You'd think I wouldn't be able to leave my house.

 

[princessmom29]

Wow. I am sorry that you didn't take the time to read what actually happened and instead jumped on the popular bandwagon of the day.

It's amazing that I am just so over-the-top paranoid that this is the first time I've ever had my radar go off in dozens of trips into the parks. You'd think I wouldn't be able to leave my house.

I realize that you feel that there was definitely something wrong, and it I fell that it is fine for you to be concerned about it, and even to let a CM know about your concerns. The fact remains that you cannot be absolutely sure of what he was doing. There may not have been any milicious intent, and there is a possibility, however remote, that he was not even taking pictures specifically of your child. I think that the point the poster you were responding to was making is a valid one in the sense that we as parents tend to jump to the worst possible conclusion when we have a bad feeling about something, and sometimes we can be wrong about it. I have had it happen to me. I thought a guy was following DD around the pool. It turns out he was the father of the little girl DD was playing with and just trying to keep an eye on her. I jumped to a totally worng conclusion about him based on what I thought I was observing. It happens. It doesn't mean we should ignore our instincts but it does mean we have to be careful about confronting and accusing someone based on them.

 

[livie1205]

I realize that you feel that there was definitely something wrong, and it I fell that it is fine for you to be concerned about it, and even to let a CM know about your concerns. The fact remains that you cannot be absolutely sure of what he was doing. There may not have been any milicious intent, and there is a possibility, however remote, that he was not even taking pictures specifically of your child. I think that the point the poster you were responding to was making is a valid one in the sense that we as parents tend to jump to the worst possible conclusion when we have a bad feeling about something, and sometimes we can be wrong about it. I have had it happen to me. I thought a guy was following DD around the pool. It turns out he was the father of the little girl DD was playing with and just trying to keep an eye on her. I jumped to a totally worng conclusion about him based on what I thought I was observing. It happens. It doesn't mean we should ignore our instincts but it does mean we have to be careful about confronting and accusing someone based on them.

 

[Zeebs]

Wow. I am sorry that you didn't take the time to read what actually happened and instead jumped on the popular bandwagon of the day.

It's amazing that I am just so over-the-top paranoid that this is the first time I've ever had my radar go off in dozens of trips into the parks. You'd think I wouldn't be able to leave my house.

After reading all the posts, I actually think the popular bandwagon of the day is that people shouldn't be able to take pics of your child.

It would appear that those of us who disagreed are actually in the minority. (OK I didn't go and count them all up it just seemed that way to me)

I also believe that if you feel strongly about a situation (and it is your perogative to do so) you need to speak up. A dirty look goes over the head of many a person. I think you would have better sucess if you said something.

Kirsten

 

[squirrlygirl]

After reading all the posts, I actually think the popular bandwagon of the day is that people shouldn't be able to take pics of your child.

It would appear that those of us who disagreed are actually in the minority. (OK I didn't go and count them all up it just seemed that way to me)

I also believe that if you feel strongly about a situation (and it is your perogative to do so) you need to speak up. A dirty look goes over the head of many a person. I think you would have better sucess if you said something.

Kirsten

I think after reading all these posts, what I posted gets lost in there. Then the responses are reactions from what others have said, but directed at me as if I've said them.

If a mod could close this thread, I'd appreciate it.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

I think that lots of times as mothers the only thing we really can rely on is instinct. That isn't legal, as many have pointed out, but gut level is oftentimes right. Where the concept goes wrong is when some person starts chasing down people who accidently get a picture of his sister in a picture. That is not logic based, and not maternal instinct.

OP, I think that you did fine. I don't think that alerting security would have done anything. Perhaps a word to the person would have served well. It would have either cemented your concerns or aleved them. Water under the bridge, as they say.

 

[nicolemomof4cuties]

All 4 of my children are blond-haired, blue-eyed and have always had people take pics. I remember as a child it bothered me as I was a blondie-bear too but my kids are like meh, whatever and cheese for them, LOL! A few years a go my youngest DD dressed like Tinker Bell to eat breakfast at the castle and you would not believe the amount of people who took her pic. I wonder how many families picture albums she's in. Our family joke is tat she will be looking through her future spouse's family album and BAM! their will be a pic of her in her Tink costume at age 4, LOL! My DH took our 2 littles to the children/'s museum and came back and told me for the 1st time HE wanted to take a pic of somebody else's child so that he could show me because she was just the cutest thing EVER but was afraid that they would think he was a freak so he didn't, LOL. So maybe that is why people do it- who knows?

 

[SkcMom]

Guess I'm confused. I thought blonde haired/blue eyed was the normal combo??? My DD is brown haired/blue eyed. People should be lining up to take her picture I guess!

 

[Planogirl]

A lot of people are saying that they would contact Security but what could they do? It isn't against the law is it?

I think that the OP sensed something and that's enough to move away. People do take innocent pictures all the time but this felt wrong to the OP. I can understand that.

 

[mizzoumom]

I'm sorry. I would have been weirded out too. When we first got here to El Paso people were always staring at my youngest son and wanting to touch him. Apparently its good luck to touch a baby here, and someone told me touching a red headed baby is even more good luck (yes my youngest is the random red head). I freaked out when this lady leaned down to give him a kiss...I quickly walked away and put the baby cover over him.

Just wanted to add to this, my friend lives outside of Houston and she encountered the same situation as above at a Walmart. They consider it good luck to touch a beautiful girl.

 

[SereneOne]

When our brown eyed, brown haired daughter was dressed as Christmas Belle, the Brazilian tour groups (two) stopped us and took pics of her and she posed in a curtsy and they where enthralled with her. Of course, that is different from one lone adult taking pics of one's child(ren).

 

[Aliceacc]

I would have taken HIS picture, then gone to security with it.

If it was an isolate incident: no harm, no foul. But if it was part of a pattern, at least they would have something to give the police should it be necessary.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I would have taken HIS picture, then gone to security with it.

If it was an isolate incident: no harm, no foul. But if it was part of a pattern, at least they would have something to give the police should it be necessary.

smartest thing I have read....
And make sure they KNOW you are taking their pix!
Lets hope it was all innocent. But when it comes to kids, Think like a Warrior! OP: don't let others second guess you............have a great trip!!!!

 

[Aliceacc]

smartest thing I have read....

Then again, it's easy to Monday-morning-quarterback. If I were actually IN the situation, I think I would have been more concerned about getting my child away than catching a possible predator. But I would like to think I would stop to take his picture.

 

[GoHerd1028]

I realize that you feel that there was definitely something wrong, and it I fell that it is fine for you to be concerned about it, and even to let a CM know about your concerns. The fact remains that you cannot be absolutely sure of what he was doing. There may not have been any milicious intent, and there is a possibility, however remote, that he was not even taking pictures specifically of your child. I think that the point the poster you were responding to was making is a valid one in the sense that we as parents tend to jump to the worst possible conclusion when we have a bad feeling about something, and sometimes we can be wrong about it. I have had it happen to me. I thought a guy was following DD around the pool. It turns out he was the father of the little girl DD was playing with and just trying to keep an eye on her. I jumped to a totally worng conclusion about him based on what I thought I was observing. It happens. It doesn't mean we should ignore our instincts but it does mean we have to be careful about confronting and accusing someone based on them.

I agree with this post totally. However, sometimes you just have to go with your guy instinct if things feel wrong don't under estimate your feelings. Who cares if your wrong because the effects of what could happen if you are right and don't take precautions are far worse. The first year we went to WDW with our son we did not ride much since he was only 11 months old so we just tried to get pictures of him with a lot of the characters. Well, we went into the toon town tent to the princess section(yeah yeah yeah I know he is a boy LOL). Anyway, we got to sleeping beauty and the poor little guy was all tuckered out and litteraly fell asleep in Sleeping Beauty's arms. It was one of the kodak moments and camera flashes were going off over the whole room. Sleeping beauty even kissed his forehead and left lipstick marks on him. I did not feel any bad vibes at all in this situation. I think you just need to take it situation by situation. Not everyone is a perv!