Sometime during the past few years there was a huge on-line-news discussion about some parents in Maryland who were in trouble for allowing their young children to go to their neighborhood playground alone. There was a big debate about free-range parenting. And, more recently, Utah passed the first law in the nation "allowing" free range parents to make their own decisions about what their kids could or could not do.
I remember writing my little blog about how my friends and I were "free range" back in Park Ridge, Illinois in the 1950's. We lived and thrived.
But.....I've just learned that I survived an even more dangerous childhood obstacle. The rubber ducky. Happily our kids survived as well!
As the newscasters and doctors describe just what "lives" inside the rubby ducky I get it. The small hole in the bottom, the one that allows the ducky to squeek, also allows water in. And there is no real way to get the water OUT. So over the years that RD spends playing with your toddlers in the bathtub, lots of crud breeds and multiplies inside that cute yellow toy.
Ugh. Now it's disgusting to think about....but I also think, wow....here's another thing for modern young parents to worry about and prepare for and forbid. It's exhausting. All of the equipment that is now necessary for every baby. All of the rules that need to be followed.....the milestones to meet.
I'm glad my sister and I lived through the free range and rubby ducky challenges....and I'm glad Dave and I raised our kids when we did.
Sometimes ignorance is bliss.
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