We were at the gym Monday. Yes, I am still working out. Yes, daily even. Yes, my body still hurts and Yes, I still call that exercise crazed, drill sergeant of a workout buddy my friend. And no, I am not buff yet. But this is way beside the point, so I shall try to reign in my rabbit trailedness and focus.

We were at the gym Monday, and for a treat I decided to take the kids to the pool afterwards. Our gym has a large zero entry outdoor pool complete with fountains, a raining mushroom...and two large waterslides. The twisty curly variety that I remember playing on for hours as a kid. (and now it would take something of I don't know what kind of proportions to get me on the closed tunnel one...weebie jeebies!)

The real point of this story is that Parker has been jittery with excitement at the thought of going down these huge, twisting waterslides. I sprung the surprise swim fest on him after our workout and both kids were very excited. Parker immediately began chattering about his plan for the waterslides. (The open one first, then the closed, then the open one again...)

We got to the water and did some playing and swimming first. We were all having a great time when I announced that we could only stay a few more minutes. Parker announced that he was heading to the water slides and would I go with him. I told him I need to stay in the shallow water with Caroline but I would watch him every step of the way. I told him to ask the lifeguard at the top of the waterslide tower to explain to him what to do and where to swim when he came down. (this was not obvious, we watched a bunch of kids and it all seemed a bit random, but there was a lifeguard in the water at the foot of the slides) I assured him the lifeguard would help him and explain what he needed to do.

I watched my little guy excitedly walk over to the stairs and climb to the top. I saw him tap the lifeguard on the back and then I saw nothing happen. Eventually I saw the guy turn a bit towards Parker and I saw Parker's head drop and he slowly walked down the steps. He walked back to us, a dejected look on his face. As he came in the water, tears started silently streaming down his face. I asked what had happened. His first words were "The lifeguard was not very kind." Apparently, as this small boy asked for help, the guy at the top simply yelled "GO! GO! GO!" When Parker said he had not ever done this before, the lifeguard yelled "WATCH! WATCH! WATCH!" Apparently he knows no other words. The slide was not crowded, maybe four kids on it. His unwillingness to show just a touch of kindness and humanness to a child who wanted so much to ride this thrilling rush of water crushed this small boy's excitement and anticipation of that day.

Remember in your dealings with children that they are people too. With real feelings and emotions. They are capable of silliness and joy but also sadness and hurt.

The next trip up the waterslide, Parker will be with his daddy. I'm looking forward to cheering them on and watching Parker's face as he comes down for the first time.

Awww... poor little guy. I'm sorry the lifeguard was not nice. Did you tell anyone there?

My personal trainer informed me today that member services is now quite well informed about the incident.