I don’t think I’m overreacting, but wanted to hear the sub’s thoughts on my experience today.
I took my 3yo toddler to the school playground today before dinner. We were alone. A man comes into the playground with a big leashed dog, which is fine. What’s not fine and raised my hackles was the fact he just stood there on a playground structure, staring at me and my toddler. The dog was doing the same. This lasted more than a few mins. I started to get uneasy and started to prep the bag of metal cars I had in my hand to use as a weapon. My toddler ran away and told me he was afraid of “the people.” He froze and won’t move. I couldn’t get him to leave.
I looked up and made eye contact. Didn’t look away, asked him “can I help you?!” He mumbled something. Didn’t hear him. Very soon after another mom and a toddler joined us. I felt more relaxed. But my kid wouldn’t move. So after a few mins more I asked the man “are you waiting for someone?” He asked if there was a problem. I told him my son is very afraid of his big dog, and I’d appreciate it if he would get off the playground. He did, eventually.
He was one of those quiet, awkward people who look like they don’t know how to be social. That’s fine, but I don’t want him standing there staring at my son and me on the playground. He was like only 20 ft away..
I feel like my reaction to him was justified. What do you think?
Comments
trust your instinct. I really recommend getting pepper spray if it is legal where you live.
You are justified. If you think of it, overall, men are the most dangerous living things on Earth.
Keep listening to your gut! That is not normal behavior, and your body and mind sensed it.
As women we are taught not to listen to our instincts, which only benefits predators. It gets so many women abused and killed every day. Good job keeping yourself safe.
That’s not normal. Can you co-ordinate with another parent so that you both aren’t alone at the park with your kids?
I would have left immediately. I’m not hanging around to find out what happens if I feel unsafe. My urgent mum voice would have kicked in to get my kid to move their ass.
Honestly, any adult ON a play structure alone without a kid is weird behavior and would cue me to leave.
Like unless it was a couple of adults goofing around and being playful or like sitting on a swing.
But to just stand on the structure alone with their intimidating dog is for sure weird.
You should ALWAYS trust your intuition and ACT on it BEFORE trying to make sense of it. ALWAYS