Usually I am not one to criticize caregivers when it comes to our youth center here on base. They do a great job, and my kids have all had a ball at all of the functions. But today, I have a major beef with them.
Today the youth center took the teens and preteens to Raging Rivers, the big water park here in North Dakota. Now this is a big deal because there really aren't any good theme parks in this state but that, and it is in Mandan, which is over 2 hours away, so they only get to go once a year if that. Both of my boys went on the trip today and came home looking like lobsters. They were told by the staff to bring sunscreen (which they did) and we told them MANY times last night and this morning before they left to PLEASE remember to use sunscreen.
Don't you think that if you were on a trip, in charge of lots of 9-14 year olds, that you should make a point to take a few minutes before getting in the water to make sure they put on the sunblock? It was really sunny and over 80 degrees today. Teenager said that at no time were they reminded to use it and that he didn't see any of the kids using sunscreen. I know that they should have remembered and taken care of themselves, but come on. These are kids who were excited and anxious to get in the water. I think the adults should have been more responsible. I'll bet the adults aren't burned.
I guess maybe I have a heightened sensitivity about this at the time. I just am so angry that they are both burned, and not just a little. Bear is completely red from his waist up, and the Teenager is too. Bear is in a lot of pain too, poor thing. Of course I worry about skin cancer and all that, but I am more concerned that they are in pain and it should have been prevented. I guess I'll have to think twice about letting them go on these trips without us again.
Am I being irrational? Am I making this a bigger deal than it should be? Do you think it was the responsibility of the care givers, or the kids?
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Lobster Boys
Posted by Military Mom at 10:58 PM
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6 comments:
The caregivers are there for the KIDS, not their own pleasure...it is their responsibility to see that the kids are safe. If they thought enough to see that the kids brought sunblock you would rationally assume they would remind them and even enforce the use of it! I agree with you.. I love my babies and hate the see them so uncomfortable.. :(
Hugs and kisses, Mom
Okay, am I going to have to come back up there and open a can??? I totally agree that the "ADULTS" should take responsibility. I am sure they were paid to take the kids there and they should have taken care of them. It makes me furious not only as a Mom/Aunt but as a teacher too. There really is no excuse for that. Even way back when I was in high school and worked at a day care taking kids to the water parks we made sure they put it on. Okay, I'd better stop now as I'm getting furious too.
Tell them I said "hi" and I'm so sorry they are in so much pain. I miss you guys so much. Thanks for putting up with me for the week - I know sometimes I come in like a bulldozer and just run everything.
LOVE to you ALL.
T
I agree with your mom. If they were so focused on reminding you to send sunblock along with the kids, they should have been responsible enough to make sure it was used. Boys are excitable creatures and probably were too thrilled with being at a water park to remember to apply their sunblock. Besides, boys don't tend to think ahead like that. ;o) I'd at least write a letter to the people in charge to let them know that the caregivers were a little delinquent.
Holy crap. This totally happened to me when I was 14 years old. I was in 8th grade and our end-of-year trip was to a water park in Ohio. I accidentally left my sunscreen on the bus and none of the adults would let me go back to the bus for it. And I was never offered any to replace it. And I ended up with sun poisoning.
My mom was so pissed and made such a stink (good for her!) that the next year, when our marching band took off for Disney World and Daytona Beach, I got reminded every 30 minutes to reapply. And that's the way it should be because kids aren't going to remember.
And I'm like you, I'm totally paranoid about skin cancer (my aunt died from it and I get checked once a year). I'll most likely end up chaperoning all my kids' trips like this and I'll be the evil REAPPLY NOW mom.
How can anyone expect a kid to remember to put on sunscreen on a day out having fun. All I thought about was the fun I was going to have. It is for sure, without a doubt, up to the caregivers to remind and even make the kids to do this. When we go to the neighborhood pool we have to just about hold down and force our boys to rub on the screen.
You aren't over-reacting at all. Just as all the other commentors said, it was their job to TAKE CARE of the kids. This includes sun block. I am so sorry for you and the boys!
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