In response to Karen Paquette's letter in Your Views, dated Wednesday June 17, 2009. Karen, when you have a child it is your responsibility to protect it and teach appropriate behaviour. Your letter shows a serious lack of parenting on your part and an inability to accept responsibility for your actions. If your child is coming down with heat exhaustion or sunburn, remove him from the sun. If your child suffers allergies, take him to a specialist and get him shots or the appropriate medication, especially if his allergies are so severe as to cause hives after being outside for only the morning.
Perhaps your vigilant eye should be used to read some parenting manuals or navigate a safe path away from potentially harmful substances, instead of close enough to a vendor so that your child could reach out and grab a cookie. In fact, why is your child reaching out to grab anything without permission?
It is the expectation that when you are attending an outdoor event, or any event, that you will dress and plan accordingly for the weather. It is also expected that you will teach your children how to behave in social situations. You are failing your child by denying him these opportunities and asking the St. Albert Chamber of Commerce to wrap his world in cotton wool.
Elisabeth Owen, St. Albert
