Andrew ran into traffic!

[muppetinma]

Backstory-

DH is working this week, and then he leaves on Monday for a month.  I'm trying to squeeze in as much family time as I can before he leaves.  He had to run up to a warehouse about an hour away today, so I decided to make a family trip out of it.  Andrew and I found a nearby indoor playground to waste time while he was working, then we were going to go to lunch together.

So we were playing around in this new playground.  I try not to hover, but always stay near Andrew while he's playing.  He's going through a bullying stage, so I want to be there to correct him if he takes something away from somebody, etc.  I was about 10' away from him when he decided to bolt for the door.  There's a gate between the play area and the front lobby, but the employees decided not to close it.  He ran through the open gate and out the front doors, WHICH ARE AUTOMATIC AND OPEN RIGHT AWAY!  He continued to run right out into the parking lot and in front of a giant SUV before I could catch him.  The kid is freaking fast, and even though I was right there with him, he got THAT far before I could catch him. LUCKILY, the woman driving the SUV saw Andrew and slammed on her brakes.  

Once I caught him and came back inside, I laid into the employees.  Two of them watched him run right by, with me running after him.  When I demanded to know why the gate was open.  They complained that the gate is a pain because it's really hard to open.  THAT'S THE WHOLE FREAKING POINT!!  I asked why they didn't try to stop him.  They said that they thought it was funny that he was running, and that most kids stop when their parents call them.  I yelled that he has special needs and that he doesn't always respond.  Also, he's two.  TWO.  Clearly, the two girls working there were quite useless.  I got the owner's name and phone number and will be calling them this evening.  

We are SO LUCKY that nothing bad happened.  I still feel like I'm going to be sick.  In a place that centers around kids, safety needs to be a priority!!  Heads will roll.  

[badgermom]

That had to be so scary! I'm so sorry that happened! For sure, call. I'm glad that A was ok!

[joyhart02]

Wow, what idiots. I am so sorry that happened and so glad Andrew was ok!!

[mumegs]

OMG so glad he is ok, that is so scary!!

[Deleted]

Oh. my. god. That would have traumatized me. And I CAN NOT believe those employees. I would feel zero guilt about laying into them, and into their boss about them. They really should not be working there. I feel sick for you, Muppet.

I'm so glad nothing happened. Toddlers, are so, so, fast. Just two days ago J took off through an open playground gate himself and ended up halfway down the block before I could catch him.

Hugs, and try and relax today now. You deserve it.

[jenbelle]

Holy Shit!!!! I am freaking out for you!!! I would be kicking some ass- they thought it was FUNNY?? Not so funny when you talk to their boss!!!!

[laurack]

OMG so scary! I am so sorry that happened to you. Those employees need to be disciplined! this is completely unacceptable.

[rubber pants]

wow.

"they thought it was funny?" Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..... yea.

[katie]

Yikes! These kids are really fast. Those workers need to be talked to. A toddler running through an open door where there is a parking lot is not funny.

[katfco]

Oh my goodness! Definitely lay into the owner about them! I still get nervous thinking about the day Abby opened the front door and let Caleb out last month. I thankful he ran down the sidewalk and not into the street, but I get breathless thinking about what could have happened.

[melmon0417]

I'm sure the owner will be very happy to know his staff is setting him up for a lawsuit.

[carawestt]

I'm glad he's okay! Those employees sound like idiots.

[muppetinma]

The indoor play place that we normally go to has an awesome door system. They don't have a gate between the lobby and play area, but the door has a sensor on it. If a child tries to open it without an adult present, it locks. (Height sensors) You know why? Because safety is important! I keep replaying the whole thing in my head, wondering how it happened, what I did wrong. And the answer is nothing! I didn't do anything wrong! Ugh. I'm purposely waiting until tonight to call the owner because I want to try and be calm and productive, rather than laying into them with a million four-letter words. I'm not sure if the time will help.

[LiveLoveLearn]

OMG, so scary, so glad nothing happened and he's alright. Sure it will take a while for you to relax after something like that. Hope the owner takes it serious.

[honeybee503]

Oh my god! That is crazy. I am so glad he is okay!
I can't believe those employees!

[lauranicole91]

That is so absolutely terrifying. I am so fucking angry for you about those useless employees! I hope you get a better response from the store manager when you call.

[fusion]

holeeee shit. I'd have those employee's asses on a platter after that.

[TrudyCampbell]

OMG.

[Beener]

Holy crap! So glad he's ok! I would try call and complain, complain, complain!

[ktstorm]

That's so scary, I'm glad A is ok! It's one thing for the employees to be irresponsible and lazy by not locking the gate, but another to laugh about the situation. Ugh, that makes me mad. If the owner doesn't take you seriously, report the business.

[shevacc]

I would be soooooo mad. If the owner doesn't adequately respond, or maybe even if he/she does, I'd take my case to Yelp. Definitely if the owner laughs it off, I'd check with the city or whoever provides business permits about their reporting process.

[Deleted]

This is my biggest fear especially after my BFF son who was almost 5 chased after their dog and got hit by a car.


I like shevacc suggestions about yelp or google you did nothing wrong.

[jamaga2583]

I'm so glad he's okay... This is one of my worst fears. Those girls sound like idiots.

[rileym2010]

How terrifying. WTF is wrong with those employees. So glad he is ok.

[sunnysong]

Omg! So scary! I glad everything is ok though. I would be so mad at the workers. I can't believe they just watched!

[tuck]

(hug) I can't imagine how terrifying that must have been. I really hope both of those girls get fired.

[ladydi]

That is soooo scary! I hope the owner listens to you when you call tonight. If they are not taking you super seriously I would do what shevacc said. The entire point of a place like that is a safe place for kids to play - I cannot believe the one safeguard they had (the gate) wasn't even in use!

[bebeetmoi]

My heart is pounding just reading this! I'm so sorry Muppet, that must have been so scary:(

[DaphneStrauss]

Omg that is so scary. I am so relieved he is okay.

[Deleted]

I would be livid. I hope you update after your call...I want to hear that the owner is mortified that their employees acted that way and not only grovels in apology, but also implements new policies.