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August 17, 2008
Park Slope Baby Carriage Pushers Are on the Loose!
I had to intervene in an argument between a single woman and a wild pack of Park Slope parents with several kids and two baby carriages. One of the kids was pushing the carriage, and bumped into the single woman at Grand Army Plaza subway stop. The single woman remarked to the parents to control their child, and the carriage pushers, first one husband, then one wife launched into a tirade and each remarked: "No wonder you don't have children." I also heard this comment: "It's a good thing you don't have children, because you'd make a terrible mother."
Such comments are totally uncalled for, so I intervened. Anyway, the single woman in question was rather beautiful, and if by chance she's reading this, please say hello.
But what are we to do with such entitled parents? Single people are people too!
A
Comments
How did you intervene exactly and what was the outcome? I've often thought people use their babystrollers as weapons in this city - not good and dangerous for the child. IMO, good parenting is a lost art.
Posted by: helppls at August 17, 2008 7:34 PM
After the second obnoxious comment was hurled at the single woman, I turned to the husband and wife and said basically: "What a terrible thing to say. This City isn't just for you and your children you know. Single people leave here too."
They yelled back at me and went on their merry way. The single woman turned to me and said: "I don't care what they say - I may not have kids, but I like them and I volunteer at Big Brothers and Sisters."
Posted by: sherman20 at August 17, 2008 8:24 PM
Hi sherman20.
Thanks for the lovely compliment. I found you beautiful too, in that Ben Stiller kind of way. Anyway, thanks for stepping in for me this afternoon. Some people...
Posted by: katiejames at August 17, 2008 8:51 PM
thank you. if you're single, perhaps we can meet for a drink?
Posted by: sherman20 at August 17, 2008 9:31 PM
No it was *me*, i'm the single girl! I was hearing a leather halter top, and 4 inch heels [i'm actually a boy] please write me!!!
Posted by: sender9999 at August 18, 2008 10:00 AM
I'm not interested in "Ben Stiller kind of" guys. But I applaud you for your intervention. Hope the date works out!!!
sender999..."clear heels??"
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 18, 2008 10:10 AM
This gets the award for best pickup attempt disguised as an anti-breeder/good samaritan story. Clever, self righteous, self promoting, all worked up about nothing important, and blogged about. Bring on the love.
Watch out you two- if you're not careful, you'll end up having babies, and you sound like you'll make perfect Park Slope parents.
Posted by: Park Place at August 18, 2008 11:57 AM
Nicely done, Park Place.
Posted by: KHuebbe at August 18, 2008 6:13 PM
Ah, the title- such an indictment of all stroller pushers is unfair. I know just the type that you speak of and I know just the type who can't mind their own business. So you intervened because this rather beautiful single woman couldn't handle the husband/wife meanies by herself?
Or did you want to come to her rescue in hopes that she would notice you?
And when she didn't, you decided to post your story to find her?
There are sights for this sort of thing.
I hope you find her soon.
Posted by: superstooper at August 18, 2008 9:05 PM
Hey not all PS parents are aggressive stroller wielders - there are lots of baby wearers among us, and the older kids walk plenty too! Also, there are plenty of stroller crazies in other neighborhoods and I think it's a tired stereotype that they are mainly to be found in PS. That said, good luck on the date.
Posted by: Miss Muffett at August 18, 2008 10:00 PM
Am I the only one on the planet that would NOT have a problem with a stranger helping me teach my child how important it is to be considerate of others? It's not offensive. It's called socialization. It's the role of society in that important development stage in a child. Like for centuries.
Posted by: traditionalmod at August 19, 2008 9:27 AM
Breeders are the Evil Empire!
Posted by: Ppark at August 19, 2008 10:37 AM
As a "breeder" I find this creation of us vs. them really appalling...on both sides. I am not evil. At least not on Tuesdays and Thursdays. That being said, I do think that there is room for a rational "breeder" to admit that there is a stroller epidemic in brooklyn...especially Park SLope...and Ilive there.It is ridiculous that in a city cramped for space we have parents insisting on driving around their 10 pounders in virtual non mechanical Hummers. Babies should be held anyway. And I do cringe at many parents in this borough of mine for MANY reasons! I understand the general animosity that they can create. My motto is : Strap that baby on!
But please, lets stop this petty squabbling about "breeders vs. singles" it's really un-intelligent and strident. There is room to criticize assholes (as these people clearly were) without putting us all into one pot of "evil" stew.
Posted by: spider007 at August 19, 2008 2:27 PM
Hear, hear Spider007. I'm a "breeder" but I was fully capable of criticizing the parents in the OP's story in my post at 9:27am.
Posted by: traditionalmod at August 20, 2008 11:38 AM
The problem isn't with breeders in general, just those who beleive they are so special simply because they managed to procreate, and it follows that their children are even more special, and entitled, than even themselves. That being the case, it is the obligation of anyone else walking in the street to move to the side and let them and their oh-so-special offspring have the right of way in any and all situations.
I prefer to live in Bay Ridge. We have very wide sidewalks!
Next time a breeder couple shouts that you shouldn't have children simply because you don't see how special their child is, remind them that any stray mangey dog in the street is just as capable at reproduction as they are!
Posted by: premadas at August 20, 2008 11:19 PM
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