Post by speckledfrog on Aug 13, 2013 23:13:17 GMT -5
I'm glad you told us and got it off your chest. There's no reason for you to feel like you should keep it all inside. I am so very glad she was found quickly and I wish I could give you a great big hug.
I did this to my parents when I was 3. We were at the fireworks in our town and I was playing on the playground, they could see me one minute, the next I was gone. They had the police looking for me and everything. I was sitting on a blanket with another family. I remember seeing my mom and brother with the officer and just saying oh there they are.
I never completely understood how terrified they must have been until I had kids. Glad everything turned out well.
Thank you guys so much. I really appreciate all the hugs and kind words and similar stories. I honestly don't know how people get through truly traumatic things because just this messed me up a little bit!
I am so glad she was okay. I know how scary that feeling is. I lost my son about 9 months ago (long story) and it was the single most terrifying event of my life. I have never felt emotions that intense in my life. All the same things went through my head that you mentioned. Particularly how surreal it was to describe his appearance, clothing etc. I still well up with tears when I talk about it. When he was finally found I literally got on my knees and cried until I couldn't anymore. The feeling of relief and gratefulness were so overwhelming. When he was gone the thought of never seeing him again was so fucking scary I felt like I was going to pass out. Honestly when the kids are bickering or he is doing his non stop talking thing he always does I think back to that as a reminder that my world would be obliterated without him. So I know it was awful because I have been there but it does provide a good reminder of how things can change in an instant. And it makes my heart ache for parents who have never found their kids. Even a glimpse of what some parents have to go through was enough to know how horrifying that reality must be.
OMG, I can't even imagine the panic that must have been rising up in you. My kids are the same ages. Big, huge hugs. You were doing everything right, and you are a good mom. Please don't beat yourself up- you know this is something that could happen to ANY parent.
I am so glad she was okay. I know how scary that feeling is. I lost my son about 9 months ago (long story) and it was the single most terrifying event of my life. I have never felt emotions that intense in my life. All the same things went through my head that you mentioned. Particularly how surreal it was to describe his appearance, clothing etc. I still well up with tears when I talk about it. When he was finally found I literally got on my knees and cried until I couldn't anymore. The feeling of relief and gratefulness were so overwhelming. When he was gone the thought of never seeing him again was so fucking scary I felt like I was going to pass out. Honestly when the kids are bickering or he is doing his non stop talking thing he always does I think back to that as a reminder that my world would be obliterated without him. So I know it was awful because I have been there but it does provide a good reminder of how things can change in an instant. And it makes my heart ache for parents who have never found their kids. Even a glimpse of what some parents have to go through was enough to know how horrifying that reality must be.
Ugh, my niece went to the water section of an amusement park without the rest of the family. She is 9 and knows better than to walk away from the family. My sister spent over 2 hours searching for her before she was found! What's crazy is my nephew only talks about how they wasted part of their day. No indication of fear or being upset. My sister must have been going through all these emotions, I feel bad now because I didn't think more of it because my nephew (who is older) just played it off like it was no big deal.
"Why would you ruin perfectly good peanuts by adding candy corn? That's like saying hey, I have these awesome nachos, guess I better add some dryer lint." - Nonny
I was leaving the zoo last month where this mom just started going fucking cray screaming for her daughter. I helped her search, ray ran back to get security (we were at the exit) and people started gathering g arou d. The kid, like, vanished.
The woman's husband had gone to get the car and she stayed at the front with her 4 yr old, 2 yr old and 3 month old. She was like, screamcrying, it was so sad.
Final,y the husband called her and she was screaming at him that their kid was missing,,,.. He had her, she ran after him and he thought mom saw, etc. etc
She hung up and like collapsed on me sobbing. All I could do was tell her It's ok It's ok Don't kill your husband Don't kill him ok?
Post by sunshineray on Aug 13, 2013 23:58:13 GMT -5
Holy shit pinkeggs. I was panicked just reading your post. I'm so glad she's ok and home safely with you. I can't even imagine the terror you felt. I've definitely felt that momentary fear when I suddenly can't see DD (who's almost 9) but never to that extent. Three year olds are crazy fast and you did nothing wrong. Huge hugs to you.
That is so terrifying, I am so glad she was ok. It really can happen to anyone, we call Code Adams at work like once a month, luckily all kids have been found within minutes. It makes me sick to my stomach every time. The sheer panic of the moment is overwhelming and some people just don't understand. My coworker got upset and was confused as to how a mom could forget what their kid was wearing. It's every parents worst fear.
Post by fuckyourcouch on Aug 14, 2013 0:01:05 GMT -5
Wow. It is amazing she got that far that fast. I'm so glad she was ok and I agree this could happen to anyone, seems like we all did it to our parents.
Post by chickadee77 on Aug 14, 2013 4:27:25 GMT -5
Holy shit, pink. I'm so glad everyone is okay. (((hugs))) I don't have kids, but I know how slippery they can be. Yikes.
And, toledo, the picture thing is genius. I'm filing that away for future reference - with a cell phone, it's so easy to take a second and do this, but I've never thought of it before!
I teared up reading that, and I don't even have children. I'm so sorry you had to feel that panic, but thank goodness for the outcome. Like others have said, you are a good mom. ((pinkeggs))
How completely terrifying. The mind can create the worst possible scenariou about the 'what ifs' when it comes to our children but she's okay, and you will be okay too.
Also, I don't think I know one mom or dad that hasn't lost track of their child. I've done it. I can bet you a lot of us have done it. It doesn't make youa bad mother at all.
When I was about 3 or 4 and clothes shopping with my mom, I decided the interior of the rack with the long coats was a good fort so decided to hide in there. My mom couldn't find me and so all the store clerks were helping her search. Apparently after about 10 minutes, I crawled out and couldn't figure out what all the fuss was about. My poor mother.
Oh God, I'm so sorry! It's the most horrible thing ever, isn't it? I cried again just typing this out. I'm so glad your daughter is OK, too. Thank you for sharing this. Hugs.
My DD was in summer school, the night before we had made plans with the neighbor girl and her mom to have DD go over to play after she got off the bus. DD came in and dropped her backpack off, told me she was going to her friends house. I told her if her friend wasn't home or couldn't play she had to come home right away. Fast forward three hours later and her friend came over to see if DD could play. I was calm and trying to figure out where she could be. At that point she had been gone 3hrs so I was thinking the worst while trying to figure out which friend she could be with.
I could barely remember what she wore, I said her bike was pink but it is purple. I had to send a picture of her out to the police, who sent it out county wide. Finally she was found not far away playing with some neighbor kid. I guess she was coming back from her friends house and saw a mom and little girl her age, the mom took DD home with her. I still to this day have no idea who this woman is and DD can't remember which house it was because we live in a townhouse community.
I didn't break down crying until my friend called to tell me she found DD and had her in the car. I was angry and relieved. THE most terrifying time ever. I felt like a horrible mom because she was gone for 3hrs before I even knew! I no longer allow her to even leave the driveway and if her friends want to play, they have to come over. This all happened at the same time the 2yr old boy in WI went missing, DD watched the news with us and I think it finally hit her that what she did was very wrong and just how terrified I was.
what the hell was this woman thinking? a simple "lets go tell your mother where you are" would have made all the difference
Post by vanillacourage on Aug 14, 2013 6:12:50 GMT -5
8 blocks?! Little stinker! You're not a bad mom - and clearly, it could have happened to any of us (and is doubtless soon going to happen to me, because I was also one of those kids who thought it was hi-LARIOUS to hide inside circular racks of clothes at the store...whoops, karma!)
I know this an happen to good parents because I did it to my mom. It's the reason she put me in a leash she only needed to experience this feeling once.to not care what anyone else thought.
What a nightmare. I'm so sorry that happened to you and your little one. Kudos to you for quickly getting the support staff and others around you involved. I'm sure it is difficult not to feel guilty about what happened, but you should really try hard to not let it get to you. Kiddos are a little sneaky and so very curious and naive. I think something similar to this happens to most parents.
Post by cinnamoncox on Aug 14, 2013 6:57:43 GMT -5
Oh pink, I teared up just reading this. Poor mama that must've been terrifying beyond belief.
I'm SOOO happy she was found safe and sound. I just can't imagine
And your are right, this is totally something everyone thinks will never happen to them (well, besides me but that's different I have a horrible anxiety disorder) I have three year old twin girls One is what I call a "darter" One minute she is chilling, next she's off like a rocket with zero warning I have had to grab her by her hair to keep her from the street Sounds barbaric but I had a bad car accident end of June and my mobility is impaired due to back and neck injuries and neuromuscular damage so I can't chase her in the regular sense I just have to get to her and grab what I can They are just too young and precocious at that age to really get it
Oh pink I'm so happy you have her back I think u need a stiff drink or a bubble bath after that ordeal