We Love Our Children, Slow Down

raf clowning around after our sunday night walking session

when we first saw this road signage a few months ago, my carpool-mates and i bursted out laughing. really, our neighbors think of the most hilarious stuff.

we were discussing that well, it's a road and not a playground so it's the parents' responsibility to look after their children playing outside. there were several instances already when we would pass by a two- or three-year old kid, running carelessly on the street while the mother or the yaya animatedly discusses the current economic condition with her neighbors. and when we would try to make the kids stay on the side by honking our horn, they would turn their heads and glare at us as if we don't have the right to drive through. it's annoying, to say the least. and then they put up this sign.

i only got to appreciate this road reminder a few days back, when i saw how rambunctious kids can get when they're having fun, despite a yaya's watchful eye. raf, for instance, rides his bike as fast as he can, with the helper helplessly in tow. my son is too hyper for his own good and yes, he doesn't really heed warnings because he is stubborn like that. it bothers me how his yaya cannot seem to have the "power" to make him follow her instructions but no, it doesn't bother me that he's too active. kids will be kids and i'd only worry when he starts getting too quiet and obedient. hahaha.

now, i've also seen how some motorists can get too ruthless when plying the streets. cars and motorcycles zoom in and out of our block like kings of the road themselves. non-too alert dogs get sideswept and tires leave skid marks on the cement. paranoid as i am, i'm glad somebody had the audacity (it still cracks me up until now, my apologies) and the concern to create that makeshift road block. the drivers may or may not heed it but for me, it's a great deal of showing care for the kids who start crowding the streets as early as 4pm. but i still stand by the fact that the road sign shouldn't be any mother's or helper's excuse on not taking care of their wards. no child should be allowed outside without any nanny and the best way of ensuring everyone's safety is to give your full attention to the task at hand. conversations and discussions are not prohibited but your son or daughter or alaga is more important than the buzz's latest chismis, yes?

i'm glad somebody is taking this social responsibility thing seriously. i'm proud of my neighbors. sometimes. =P