Irritations

[Tani]

Saw a young mother pushing a baby carriage. She had her daughter with her who looked to be around 4 or 5. The little girl was wearing a backpack and the mother had attached a leash to it. I have also seen instances where the leash is actually attached to the child. Not sure how I feel about this. Yes, you want to be protective of your child but still....

c.d.

This is normal. I had a lead when I was a kid. They're common here.

[caz]

They were called "reins" in my youth. Not a bad idea, actually, for active toddlers exploring their world, when you consider the alternative - smacking a tiny child for stepping off the kerb, because they are too young to be reasoned with, but quick enough to let go of mummy's hand.

I don't remember needing reins because my Mum used to say I was "good as gold". But my baby brother, who went on to become a doctor of physics, needed reins outdoors [I still have a photo] because he was into everything and Mum didn't have eyes in the back of her head. He was always trying to see how things worked, like turning on the gas on the cooker. It's a miracle he survived childhood.

Love,

Caz
X

[Dupin]

My parents tried to put me in reins.

I think this thought occurred to them after my attempted escape from Belle Vue Zoo. I had been taken, aged 3, as a special treat. I was appalled by the condition of the elephants, chained at the foot, and stamping in ennui in their own pungent detritus. But worse was the lion's cage. It was barely big enough to let the lion turn around for a six foot march before turning again. I screamed "what has he done wrong?" and ran off. My escape was terminated by the large and heavy door with its ornate gilded handle: too high for me to reach.

And shortly afterwards I was told I had a present. I liked presents. I had had one once: a large tipping truck made of red and yellow plastic. It had mysteriously disappeared a day after I was given it. Maybe this present would be less ephemeral. It was laid on my bed, long and resplendent in blue leather. No one needed to say anything: I realised what the intention was and began to chant "I am not a lion". I kept that up for quite a while I recall. The present was never seen or mentioned again.