Heard in Austin:

[urbpan]

"squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak..."

The sound of a dog's squeaky toy, coming closer, down the sidewalk, as we eat lunch outside. What should come up the way but a family--mom and dad and just-walking baby--the baby's shoes are making the squeak noise. Someone is manufacturing baby shoes with squeakers in them. There were a few people around us, and we all exchanged unbelieving looks. One guy said "that's the weirdest thing I've ever seen!" Well, no, but it's pretty weird.

Cut to a few hours later, in the airport, waiting for the announcement to board our plane: "squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak..." Another just-walking baby, with squeakers in its shoes. Someone is manufacturing baby shoes with squeakers in them, and at least two people have bought them. I can only imagine that the point of these shoes is that you always know where the baby is--you know, rather than watching them. I know, I'm not a "kid person," and I'll never have children so I'll never understand, but isn't this whole idea really obnoxious? The message I'm getting from it is "My child's safety is more important than your comfort."

They are coming to your school, your daycare center, your laundromat, grocery store (think of it--dozens of pairs of shoes--"squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak") dentist's office, your city street!

What do you think?

Comments

[peregrinehill.livejournal.com]

Squeaking isn't half as obnoxious as all the divisive self-righteousness in this post and its comments. I'm a parent and I try very hard to be respectful of other people, even dog owners. Sometimes the best I can do isn't good enough, though. I would like to think that strangers would show a little compassion.

And yes, my the safety of my children is more important that anything in the world. It's my job to take care of them. I'm their mother.

I don't think this post was appropriate as a general broadcast.

[perspicuity.livejournal.com]

interesting response actually.

squeaking shoes does not to ME seem to be a safety feature in any way. they will not alert a car driver (cyclist, skater, walker - especially with music in their ears) to the child's presence i bet. not not loud enough. as for keeping track of the kid... they still crawl, easily could get out of range if you were depending on the sound or weren't listening for a moment.

i respect a parent's right to raise their kids as they see fit, that's a given. same for a dogs. i don't have to LIKE the behavior of the child/dog though, especialy if affects others. smoochie poochie kins might be the most wonderful doggie ever for the owner, but perhaps not to the lady who can't sleep because of the yapping. i can't blame the dog, i can blame the owner. training is important.

so, like smoking, and other antics in public, these do not necessarily trump good manners, public health/safety and disturbing the peace - and more. a parent might be used to their child's say, high pitched wailing, in distress or not for 20 minutes, but even to another parent i've found, that sound is awful. one can be tolerant for a while, but not forever.

does not urbpan or any blogger have every right to comment and opine as they want in their space? this is not a public sidewalk where he's telling a parent they're kid's racket is obnoxious and please cut it out. it's his personal space so to speak. as such, imho, telling someone in their own journal, that their opinion is inappropriate is ... out of place. i don't speak for him or others of course. what do you think?

#

[cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com]

honestly, there are other ways to keep track of your children that are more considerate of the rest of society.

and i agree with perspicuity's comment below. don't like what you read? scroll on by.

[pipu.livejournal.com]

I don't think this post was appropriate as a general broadcast.

Um, what? It's urbpan's journal. Whatever he wants to say is appropriate.

[interfecta.livejournal.com]

peregrine,
YES, the divisive self-righteousness is annoying. So are squeaky shoes, which I can think of 2 or 3 good arguments for (see reply to post) but sound like a bad excuse for fun. But the fact is, people who aren't parents are entitled not to get the things parents do. Think about it. You and I were once not mommies ourselves. I'm sure that there was a time that you, like me, responded to someone else's noisy child not with a glow of motherly love or even a saintly patience but an equally noisy irritation. Some day, many of these LJers will have kids, do dumb things because they're crazy about their kids, and realize that childless people are often inconsiderate of children and parents without thinking. Till then, they are just as entitled to not understand as a toddler is entitled to not understand when you don't let him or her play with a knife. They haven't been there. We have. Be patient.

[cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com]

ha ha! umm, we're not having any kids (physically impossible) - i have a daughter (15yo next week) from a previous marriage and that's plenty for me.

urbpan is actually pretty tolerant of kids for a childfree guy.

[by-steph.livejournal.com]

"The safety of my children is more important that anything in the world" is one of the reasons I don't want to have children. So many behaviors are suddenly acceptable because a person has decided to have a child and so screw everything else. A man in New Jersey went and cut down all of the old trees on his property because he didn't want a limb to fall down and squish his kids. People buy 3 ton vehicles to transport their infants because the perceived safety of a massive vehicle is more important than environmental concerns (or the safety of Festiva drivers). I am also aware of a person that wants all predators eliminated from the Earth (a scientist strangely enough) because she has children and wouldn't want them to get eaten one day. The squeaky shoes are a tiny little glimpse into this larger attitude that many childless people find bothersome.