Can't forgive myself....had something bad happend to my kids
By nanie2001
@nanie2001 (18)
July 27, 2011 9:56am CST
I really have to work overtime at the office so I could meet the deadline in submitting a report. Thinking that I won't be home until midnight, I texted my 15-year old daughter to come over to the office with her 10-year old brother so I can look after them while working. Most of the time I look after the kids as my husband worked far and comes home only once a month for 1 or 2 days.
It was already past 12 midnight when I finished the report and my kids were already asleep uncomfortably on a conference table still wearing their school uniforms. Thinking that it would be best for us to go home so they could sleep comfortably then, I decided to wake them up with all my might. It took me few minutes before I totally made them stand both on their feet and keep them moving.
After locking the office door, I realized I still have to return the office key to the guard on duty about 100 meters away from the office as it was our standard operating procedure (SOP). Feeling already tired and a bit sleepy so do with the kids for sure, we took a taxi and instructed the driver to stop at the guard house so I could return back the key.
When we were about to pass at the guard house, I told the driver to stop and I hurriedly stepped out from the cab. Soon I closed the door of the taxi cab it went away with my kids boarded on it. Extremely shocked, confused and really not sure what to do at the moment, I ran after the taxi cab as fast as I could while also shouting for HELP but the taxi cab was too fast for me until I stopped. It seemed my feet wanted to give up but my mind kept on telling me to continue running...and save my kids no matter what. But how? I could not even recall the cab's plate number and worst it was already out of my sight and it kept on going. The kids could not even resist and ask for help as they were all asleep then when I get off.
Aware of the commotion awhile ago, the guard on duty approached me and asked what had happened. Before I could start a word, I saw a white taxi cab coming backward to our direction and my heart began to beat faster than it normally does. Then it slowly stopped and when the door opened I saw my daughter telling me to hop in so we could go straight home. Reunited with my kids again
Suppose you were in my situation and the driver did not come back with the kids what would be your immediate action? Do you find it stupid running after the taxi cab as your first reaction to the situation? Should something bad happened to my kids, would you blame me? Would you rather bring home the office key with you rather than returning it to avoid the incident from happening? What can you suggest to prepare the kids in situation like this so they could protect themselves?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@dreamy1 (3811)
• United States
28 Jul 11
Sounds like it was just miss communication with the cab driver. Glad he realized this and came back. Don't dwell on what could have happened just be thankful everything turned out ok. Just talk to your kids and tell them to be aware at all times of their surroundings.
@benny2905 (42)
• Philippines
28 Jul 11
I think the best way to protect our children is to enroll them in martial arts classes because we are not always in their side for their protection. You see, I enrolled my children in a Taekwondo club. I saw the changes in their attitudes after enrolling them for the club don't just teach them techniques in fighting but discipline as well. I'm confident they can protect their selves from bad guys now. But my mean reason for enrolling them is to avoid/prevent school bullying from happening. It's so hurtful to see if your kids are being bullied by their tough classmates. At least by now the would be bullier would think twice before they do stupid acts to my kids.
@nanie2001 (18)
•
30 Jul 11
Hmmn...could be dreamy and I am not discounting that possibility but if I were to recall I am pretty sure the driver could visibly see me running after him begging him to stop. Anyway, you are right...just be thankful and remind kids to always be prepared for uncalled for situations that may happen to their lives.
To you, Benny I also agree with you. Enrolling our children in any martial arts they like may help them protect themselves from bad guys and probably bullying in school. This could develop their self-discipline too and a lot more. My kids are also taking Taekwondo class during week-ends. I wanted Aikido for them but I just can't afford the fee.
@benny2905 (42)
• Philippines
28 Jul 11
I do agree with you. That's normal reaction for a mother whose children were in danger of being (almost) kidnapped? Thanks God it didn't happen.... We don't really know the reason why the driver drove away just after the mother got out from the cab even though he was told to wait for a minute. It seems to me that the driver has bad intention but changed his mind when the daughter woke-up and told him to come back.
@jaiho2009 (39142)
• Philippines
27 Jul 11
Good thing the taxi did came back.
I am a bit confused,why did the taxi run and did not stopped when you were shouting and running after the car to stop?
Then all of the sudden,there it is coming back towards your directions?
If ever the taxi did not return with your kids,surely no one is to be blame but yourself.
You can call the guard to get the key from you.
I know you are tired and you trusted much nothing will happen to your kids.
But with this scenario,everything can happen in just a wink.
Be careful next time,and take care of your kids,they're more important than your job.
have a good day and welcome to mylot
jaiho®
jaiho®@nanie2001 (18)
•
27 Jul 11
Hi Jaiho,
Thank you so much for the prompt reply. I really appreciate.
I asked the taxi driver why he went away after I got off to return the key and he said he thought the kids were the only ones to go straight home while I had to be left where I dropped off. He came back because my eldest daughter ordered him to come back for me.
The guard house is located on the next road block and a bit far from the office. They are not allowed to leave from their post otherwise they need to do a lot of explaining in writing.
Yeah... you are right next time I will be more extra careful and cautious. Again, thanks. Have a nice day too.
@fixerupper3530 (173)
• United States
28 Jul 11
Forgive yourself now! You work hard to take care of your kids. You can not protect them at all times. Modern life forces all of us to spend less time with family because of all of the bills we have to pay. Your life will be more peaceful if you can simplify your life so that you can work less and spend more time with your kids.
@nanie2001 (18)
•
28 Jul 11
You are right fixerupper3520, we cannot protect our children at all times and that is the sad reality we need to face and have to take action. In my case, I let my kids study Taekwondo during week-ends for self-defense and discipline.
@yushi1905 (38)
• Malaysia
28 Jul 11
Hi, I feel so sorry for you about what had happened. I hope that you are feeling better by now. I don't blame you because it was not totally your fault. The taxi driver must be in hurry too. But if it's happening again, you might want to grab something hard to throw at the taxi before they are out of your sight. At least you can tell the police that you break the windows, that would make it easier to find it. Call the police immediately. If your kids have cell phones you might want to try to install a GPS detector program into the phones. A lot of parents doing it anyway.
I am not a mother, but I can understand how you felt at that time. I can deeply relate your experience with my owns. Like you, my mother was a single parent where she had to work and take care of us by herself. I have a younger sister and a younger brother. My Dad was not at home all the time, and we only got to see him 2-3 times a year. We are staying in a small town and my Mum owns an old saloon all by herself without any employee. As the eldest one, I always tried to help with the housework, so, right after school I have to go straight back to home to do the housework all by myself. I was just 10. I was a curious kid and I played with a lot of things at home. I used to play with fire and candles, I tried to cook for myself and a lot, a lot of other thing. Sometimes the fire was out of my control. Thinking back about it now, I felt what I did was dangerous, I wondered what my mother would feel if I really burn the house down. I suggest you to hire a nanny if you're too busy for your kids. Kids at that age really need their parents attention.
@nanie2001 (18)
•
28 Jul 11
Hi yushi...thank you so much for all the suggestions and likewise sharing your story with us. It made me feel I am not alone in this world and I feel good. I will let my kids read your write up so they will also learn from your experience. Again, thanks...'till next time.
@nanie2001 (18)
•
28 Jul 11
Hmmn...could be. All I can say is that SOMEBODY up there made a twist on what was supposed to happen that night...I mean dawn and I am very grateful--really am.
