I Can't Let It Go

I heard this story last night and it continues to bug me. I want to let it go, but for some reason I just can't. It is driving me nuts... N.U.T.S.

So the story is about these two little towheaded 6yo twin children that live a short distance down the street, their parents, and a very kind neighbor. These would be the same children that spend a great deal of time at our home, in Carie's care.

This neighbor approaches the mom to tell her that she had just recently witnessed their daughter nearly get hit by a vehicle! Their daughter darted across the street without looking to see if it was clear. It was close enough and serious enough that the neighbor felt like the parents ought to know. And really, I'm sure it was hard to witness this after they had personally witnessed Abby's accident, in front of their house, just 2 months ago!

I shall repeat... their daughter was nearly hit by a vehicle... as witnessed and reported by a very trustworthy source.

So the mom shares this bit of news with the dad.
The (fairly uninvolved) dad asks if they should "punish" (whatever that means) her.
The mom says NO!
Because THEY DIDN'T SEE IT HAPPEN!

Do you really have to personally SEE your kid nearly get killed to take it seriously?

This, my friends, sums up the premise behind their parenting for nearly 6 1/2 years.
If she didn't see it, it didn't happen.
Everything is an "accident" and if it is an "accident" you aren't responsible for it.
If one isn't able to perform a skill she makes (unnecessary) excuses for it.
Everything and I mean everything must be fair and equal.
If one gets something she makes it up to the other one.
If one goes to a friend’s b-day party the other one gets to go have a manicure.
If one is gifted more presents she is fully prepared to balance it out on the spot.
If one is able to accomplish something but the other one can't, forget it.
If one is tall enough to go down the big water slide and the other one isn't, forget it.

And this is why it is hard to be a care provider for another family. It isn't about the kids. It is about the parents and the parenting differences between the families.