PostPoems Be Artistic. Be Creative. Be Inspired!

Yesterday I stopped to give a ride to a young mother that was standing in the rain at the bus stop with two kids. She did not have an umbrella, and the bus stop was not one of the covered ones with a bench. She was standing on Covington Hwy holding an infant (around 10 months old) and had a 4 year old by the hand. Both the children were wrapped in blankets to try to keep them from soaking wet. I could not bear to drive by her; I don’t think I would’ve been able to sleep last night. So I prayed for my daughter’s safety & mine & turned around to offer her a ride, which she gladly accepted.



I have always been bothered by the sight of women with children walking and/or waiting at bus stops. The first thought that comes to mind is, “Where are those kids’ fathers?” It really bothers me to see women (obviously struggling) to get to/from work/school & to get kids to/from school or daycare. It hurts my heart to see them with 2-3 little ones by the hand & in strollers walking along busy streets, or sitting at the bus stop with one in a stroller & another one by the hand. I can see the pain, frustration, and sometimes humiliation in their faces. I ask myself over and over again, “Where are the men that helped make those babies?” I wonder if they are as concerned about their children’s safety & welfare as I am (a complete stranger).



I wonder why the babies’ daddies don’t help the babies’ mamas get some form of transportation (a $500 bucket) or at least take the kids to/from school/daycare so they don’t have to be exposed to heat, cold, and rain. Is that too much to ask? Are the relationships between the parents so broken that they are unable to communicate & work together in the best interest of the kids? Are the babies’ daddies so uncaring & insensitive that they don’t even think of what their children are exposed to, or are they not in a position to help even if they do care?



Please understand I’m not saying that every man with children should go out and buy cars for their ex wives/girlfriends or babies mommas (whatever the situation may be). Is it too much to ask that they try to do something about their kids sitting at bus stops exposed to whatever the weather conditions may be? Does it bother the dads to think of their kids walking along busy (and sometimes dark) streets? Would the babies’ mommas be appreciative & accepting if the babies’ daddies were willing to help?  Would the babies’ daddies current girlfriends/wives be open to the men going (what some may consider) ‘above & beyond’ for their children? I’ve heard many men (my ex husband included) that are paying child support say that if they’re paying their child support, they refuse to do anything more for their children. Is this the case in some of these situations?



As parents is it not our responsibility to make sure our children have the best care (living quarters, food, clothes, transportation, schools, etc.) that we can provide for them whether we’re living apart from them or not?





I also wonder why the women that I see with more than one child continue to have children if they are struggling, but I guess that’s a whole ‘nother issue.



What are your thoughts?