Recently, I stopped by a coffee shop after a day at the park, juggling my child in a stroller, a cup of coffee in one hand, and groceries in the other. It was a bit challenging, but manageable—something I’ve grown accustomed to. As I approached the door, I noticed a man exiting and thought to myself, “Great, I won’t have to awkwardly maneuver out while balancing everything.”
We made eye contact, and I smiled, expecting a mutual understanding. I was mistaken. He let the door slam behind him, hitting my stroller, my groceries, and my baby. As he sauntered out with both hands free, a smirk on his face said it all: he didn’t care about my predicament.
Let’s refer to this individual as Mark. While his behavior was inconsiderate, I can comprehend where it might stem from. Mark and I reside in the same neighborhood, where a new wave of parents is gaining notoriety—let’s call them the “I Don’t Care, Move” group. They could also be dubbed the “I Bring Everything I Might Need for My Baby in Case of an Apocalypse” squad. For brevity, I’ll refer to them as the “Inconsiderate Parents.”
To clarify: oblivious Brooklyn parents = Inconsiderate. The man who slammed the door on me at the coffee shop = Mark.
I utilize a $20 umbrella stroller designed for crowded places. It’s not the most comfortable for my child, and honestly, it handles poorly. However, it’s compact enough that I can navigate through stores or restaurants without requiring everyone to make way for me. That’s crucial, as I strive to be courteous. Inconsiderate Parents, however, seem indifferent to the space they occupy with their monstrous strollers.
They enter popular brunch spots filled with patrons, expecting a table to be ready for them without a second thought. Their massive strollers are often not folded, as their little ones sleep peacefully inside. These strollers are so large they could comfortably accommodate a grown adult.
As they roll in, they often trample on toes, knock bags off chairs, and might even elbow Mark in the head. Too preoccupied with safeguarding their expensive stroller from any potential harm, they fail to notice the chaos they cause. After parking their stroller right next to Mark, the handle is practically in his face throughout his meal. This annoys him further, leading him to think that parents are self-absorbed.
Just when he thought his dining experience couldn’t get worse, he exits onto a narrow sidewalk only to be trapped behind another massive stroller. Have you ever navigated a crowded area during peak hours with someone holding an oversized umbrella? That’s essentially what a giant stroller feels like in a busy neighborhood.
Finally, Mark manages to sidestep the Inconsiderate Parents and decides to stop for a coffee on his way home. Enter me, the well-meaning parent with a small, inexpensive stroller, trying to navigate the space with courtesy. However, due to the perception shaped by the Inconsiderate Parents, Mark sees me as just another careless parent, and he takes pleasure in slamming the door in my face, convinced he’s justified.
Because of the actions of the Inconsiderate Parents, many of us are unfairly judged. If you have a baby, you are labeled as inconsiderate, and common courtesies like holding doors open or making way on the sidewalk become rare.
To the Inconsiderate Parents, please be mindful of your oversized strollers. Your baby is important to you, and that’s wonderful, but the rest of the world doesn’t owe you extra space. It’s crucial to understand that living in a crowded area like Brooklyn means space is limited. And let’s be real—you don’t need to carry an entire week’s supply of baby essentials just for a short outing.
While it may seem contradictory for me to request better behavior from others to receive kindness in return, I’m merely advocating for basic decency. I always hold the door open for anyone struggling, regardless of whether they’re carrying a baby or boxes. If it weren’t for the Inconsiderate Parents’ actions, Mark might have been more inclined to help me that day.
For more insights into parenting and fertility, consider checking out other informative articles, like those on pregnancy resources or couples navigating their fertility journey.
In summary, it’s essential for parents to be aware of their surroundings and the impact of their choices on others. A little consideration can go a long way in fostering a more supportive community for all.