This morning my aunt and I took the boys to the pumpkin patch...just a small local one. We had a lot of fun! James had a great time testing out all the different wagons (we must have switched wagons at least six times), picking out pumpkins and exploring the pumpkin patch. There were neat tractors to sit on, a water fountain that James enjoyed cooling off in (just putting his hands in the water), and animals to look at. It was pretty cute because James wanted to switch from pulling his wagon along with his pretty white pumpkin he had picked out to pulling the wagon that Sam was riding in. He is such a loving brother sometimes! Sam had fun riding in the wagon and touching/licking the pumpkins and corn. We spent a couple hours there just allowing James to lead us around and determine what we did. We left with one white pumpkin and one orange pumpkin. I am glad we went since we hadn't had a chance to visit a pumpkin patch yet, and I know our aunt really wanted to go with the boys.
My aunt pointed out some of the behavior of other parents on our drive back to the house. She had just been observing those around us while we were at the pumpkin patch. She commented on how one mom who didn't want her daughter playing in the water (from the fountain) just grabbed her daughter's hand and pulled her away without offering any comments or instructions to her daughter...like not to get wet or the water is dirty...that kind of thing. I told my aunt I don't know if it is just my personality or the fact that I am a mom to two little boys, but I am not bothered by my sons getting wet or dirty. I like to give them the chance to explore the world they live in and learn that way. Granted I did tell James to make sure not to splash because not everyone wanted to get wet.
Before I offend anyone, I just want to say I don't have any problems with other people's parenting...for the most part. I didn't really notice or mind the mom pulling her daughter away from the fountain. For all we know they had seen the fountain earlier and her mom already told her not to get wet. Honestly, though, it is disheartening anytime you hear a child being yelled at or criticized harshly in public...I don't think that is called for. You don't have to embarrass your child to make a point. The child probably tunes the parent out when they start yelling anyway...I know I don't listen well when people raise their voice at me.
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