We had a little run-in with the police today that we thought you all would like to know about. So far none of us are in jail, so we're optimistic it will all turn out alright in the end.
The incident started benignly enough - naptime. Anna, who normally doesn't nap, seemed extra tired so Tammy had her lie down for a few minutes. After a while Ben woke up screaming (he sometimes doesn't wake up too happy). He was crying loud enough that he woke Anna from her nap and soon after Lizzy was up. All three woke up in foul moods and were all screaming and crying. Tammy, Adam, and I each tackled one and tried to help them calm down (I think Adam was most successful - playing catch with Ben normally calms him down).
Eventually, everyone was calm enough (though still a little edgy) that we decided to venture out of the house. We had been home all day and it seemed like we needed to get out, so we headed to the library. Arriving at the library, everyone seemed to be in good enough moods, but things went sour pretty quickly. The library was sponsoring a game which had each of the kids draw a slip of paper from a fishbowl. If they pulled out a picture of a fish, the child won a free book. Of course, Adam was the winner and the girls missed out. They handled it okay for a little while, but then Anna discovered Adam's new book wasn't any ordinary book, it was a sticker book! That's when life, in her eyes, became very unfair and when our day became much more eventful.
It began with a little complaining, which soon turned to tears, and eventually grew to sobbing. When the sobbing turned to all-out crying, we started to get some looks from the other library patrons and workers (libraries aren't the friendliest places toward crying kids). I decided it was time that Anna and I left the library. So, I left Tammy with the other three kids and headed for the exit. Unfortunately that meant a trek all the way across the library. Anna did NOT enjoy being hauled out of the library and let everyone know it. By the time we got to the exit, she was screaming at the top of her lungs and kicking and fighting and doing everything she could to get away from me. My anger and embarrassment was mounting with every kick I took to the gut and every pitiful look I got from another patron and I think that frustration was very evident on my face.
We finally got out of the building and headed for the car - Anna still kicking and clawing and screaming "Let go of me!". On the sidewalk, we passed a friendly looking old woman. She said, "Oh my, someone doesn't want to leave the library!". I just grumbled something to her and went on, reaching the van and throwing Anna in. She continued to scream at the top of her lungs while I just sat in the front for a few minutes trying to calm down. I noticed the little old woman from before walking passed the van and looking kind of intently at the van, but didn't really give much thought to it.
Eventually, Tammy and the other kids made it out of the library, piled in the car, and we headed home. Upon arriving home, I headed up with Anna to have a "discussion" about what had happened at the library. After a few minutes of not making much headway and her continuing to scream, I left the bedroom and walked into the loft. I happened to glance out the window and noticed a police car parked at the end of our driveway - "That's odd", I thought.
Just about that time, the phone rings and Tammy answered. The conversation went something like this. "Mrs. Finch, this is Officer X from the Bettendorf Police Department. We received a call a few minutes ago about a possible kidnapping at the Bettendorf Public Library. The witness said the child was loaded into your van and carried away. Was your husband at the library a few minutes ago?" "Yes." "Did he have any of your children with him?" "Yes." "Okay, and did one of the children have a temper tantrum at the library?" "Yes." "Okay, we're sorry to bother you, we just wanted to be sure that it was your child your husband was struggling out of the library." After he hung up, the squad car in front promptly drove away.
We've had lots of incidents of screaming kids in public places - just one of the joys of parenting - but never have we had to have the police involved! Ironically, as we were walking through the library, with Anna kicking and screaming, I was thinking, "you know, I bet this looks like a kidnapping!".
Anna did eventually calm down and very sweetly and sincerely apologized for the way she had been acting. It's very unlike her to have fits like that, but I think she was just having an all-around bad day.
7 comments:
OK, that wins for the best parenting story to retell years later. I have been questioned by doctors who thought maybe we were abusing David (I often thought about doing just that), but I have never had the police call about kidnapping my child. Just think, you have at least 16 more years of serious parenting!
Wow! That's crazy! I've had to haul a kicking and screaming kid out of a public place before and it is very frustrating. But how crazy to have the police call. I guess it's good that people are on top of things to prevent kidnappings from happening, but not too much fun when you are the one suspected of doing the kidnapping!
I hope today is a much better day and that everyone is a little happier.
That is just scary! I think we have all had the experience of hauling a screaming kid out of a store or other public place, and it is extremely frustrating! I wonder if Tammy had been the one hauling Anna out if the woman would have notified the police? I've also had the police show up at our house (two times now) because one of the kids dialed 911, but never because of a suspected kidnapping. YIKES!
That's pretty funny. It reminds me of the time that we went to Canada. The border stopped us for a long time because you didn't have Adam's birth certificate. I guess this isn't the first time people have thought you kidnapped your own child!
Wow what a story! I'm glad everything was okay and that they called before bombarding you in the house. I wonder what that lady was thinking and if she ever found out the truth or if she thinks you're an evil kidnapper who got away!
That was exciting. Some day you can tell Anna what power she exerted. Probably just as well she doesn't discover that just yet.
I hate to admit it, but I laughed as I read your story about Anna! Your narrative was graphic and those I emphathized, it was also a pretty funny picture your words painted for me.
And while it was disconcerting to have the police in your drive, I am gratified that someone was conscientious enough to actually call them---if it happened more often, we wouldn't see all of the little faces on milk cartons and posters. I would rather have to explain the incident and know I live in a town where people look out for each other than have it otherwise. I am impressed by your calm demeanor Greg---even under trying cicumstances and for your humor in recounting the incident for us.
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