According to the Gregorian calendar (the corrected Julian calendar introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582), January 1 marks the beginning of a new year, so the year 2010 has begun.
Of course, there are other secular and religious calendars, such as the Chinese, Hindu, Jewish and Muslim (Islamic) calendars, that mark the beginning of the new year on different dates. But no mater what date is considered the beginning of 1002, I want to propose a resolution for 2010 for all of us to help protect our kids. No matter what our religion, national origin, race, ethnicity, color, gender, sexual orientation or age, our kids and their safety should be of the utmost importance to us.
I do not understand why people who should be protecting our kids (parents, relatives, caregivers) constantly expose our kids to danger by removing them from cars into traffic. How much time does it really take to walk around to the passenger side of the car and remove kids onto the sidewalk?
Our kids’ safety should not be determined by the convenience or laziness of the adults in charge. Too many times, I have witnessed t drivers of vehicles honking and screeching on brakes to keep from hitting some child who has wandered away from a car into traffic while the adult in charge is focused on removing another child or some stuff from the car.
Unless there has been some dramatic evolutionary development of which I am not aware, human children are still made out of material that can be seriously bruised or broken by the impact of a large metal vehicle.
I was told that removing a child from a car into traffic is not illegal here, although it is illegal for an open door to obstruct traffic (this protects the person who runs into an open door, but it also seems indicative of our priorities). Some legislation making it illegal to remove kids from cars into traffic might be a step in the right dire ration, since an official warning (or fine) might encourage – even mandate – people to at least take seriously the safety of kids in this respect.
I propose that each of us resolve that in 2010 we will take seriously the need to protect our kids by telling (educating) adults as gently as possible that we see removing kids into traffic that they are exposing their children to danger.
Some adults will appreciate your concern, but you might as well be forewarned that some adults will give you the finger, tell you to “mind your own business” or curse you.
It is your business, however, and besides, “Sticks and stones may break [your] bones, but names will never harm [you].”
Speak out for the safety of our kids, beginning in 2010. Right on!