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4th May: Bad Daddy!

Monday, May 04, 2009 ( 8:36 PM )

4th May: Bad Daddy!

Today, I was walking out from the mrt stn, to the int. And I saw this father, together with two children - age of about 5 and 3 (both wearing kindergarden uniforms). Then as I came up the up-escalator, they were heading to the down-escalator.

The young girl (elder sister) approached the escalator, and didn't dare to step on the moving steps. She looked pitifully at his father, asking for help. Her father, instead of encouraging her to be brave, roared, "Go la! Waiting for what?!" At the same time, brandishing what seemed like a weapon to the little girl.

And then he forced her to to take the first step on the escalator.
I was appalled by his act, and I literally slowed down to see what was happening. To my further astonishment, none of the people around were shocked by the event taking place right in front of their eyes! Ok, maybe I was kaypoh, but... nvm.

Let's justify things a little, the father had done something right - he quickly grabbed his daughter as soon as she was on the escalator. Well, at least he was -somewhat- still concerned about his child's safety. And also, he couldn't focus all his attention to his daughter, since he was holding on to his son, who was much younger.

OK. I'm not trying to say, a parent must hold your hand until you're 30 years old. Everyone must be brave to take the first step. In fact, had the father carried his daughter immediately, it'd also be quite wrong because in this way, the child would never overcome her fear of moving stairs. Yet he shouldn't have scolded her and pushed her! She could have tumbled down the escalator and bye bye just like that.

Maybe he could have encouraged her gently. (it's not like there's a long queue behind the escalator, anyway!) At many points in life, we all wished there could be someone to hold our hands, and walked with us. Of course, there were times where we had to brave the front; walk alone. But we need encouragement, assurance and trust - not force, push or threats.

Aiya, I don't know why I got so over reacted with this small issue laaaaaaa. But anyway, I've finished My Sister's Keeper, by Jodi Picoult. And have also written my views on the other blog.

-THE END-