Doing A Boob Job, Not A Parenting Job
(I work part-time in the children’s area of an “upscale” gym. The problem with children’s areas in gyms is that some people treat them like daycare, leaving their kids for HOURS when you know they aren’t working out that whole time. One boy is there almost every day, and is always a problem no matter how we approach him. He steals toys from other kids, tries to intentionally break things, ignores my coworkers and me, etc. It also doesn’t help that he is twice the size of other kids his age, and he knows it. I am told his mom has been notified, but nothing has changed. One day, he goes way too far and physically harms a smaller child. I sit him in “time out” to wait until his mother picks him up.)
Me: *to the mom when she walks in with one of her friends* “Ma’am, I’m afraid we need to talk to you about [Child].”
Mom: *ignores me, keeps talking to her friend, and holds out her member card to check her son out* “I’m telling you, [Doctor] is amazing! You can’t even tell they aren’t real!”
(She is clearly talking about her newly augmented breasts, which most definitely do not look real. She’s wearing designer workout clothes, has worn a bunch of diamond jewelry to a GYM, and doesn’t even look like she’s broken a sweat despite being there for three hours.)
Me: *fed up* “Ma’am? Ma’am!”
Mom: “What? I’m here for [Child].”
(I don’t want to discuss this in front of her friend, but have a feeling I don’t have a choice.)
Me: “Yes, I know, but we need to discuss what your son did to another child today. He physically harmed him.”
Mom: “Oh, I’m sure they were just playing and it was an accident.”
Me: “Ma’am, he punched and kicked another child who is half his size. I don’t think the other boy’s parents will consider that an accident.”
Mom: *has already stopped listening to me and is talking to her friend again* “I can get you a referral if you want, they have—”
Me: “MA’AM! What are you going to do about your son?”
Mom: “Excuse me?”
Me: “If you can’t address his behavioral problems, he will no longer be allowed in the children’s area.”
Mom: *now she’s heard me* “Who do you think you are?!”
Me: “I’m trying to tell you that you need to address this serious issue with your son.”
Mom: “Don’t you tell me how to raise my child!”
(She grabs her son’s hand and leaves. Right when they get to the door, the kid looks back and actually SMIRKS at me and my coworker.)
Coworker: “Did that just happen?”
Me: *facepalm* “Yes, yes it did.”
Coworker: “No wonder he has problems; his mom cares more about her boob job than taking care of her own kid.”
(I turned in my notice a week later.)
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