Really, I'm not one of those parents!

If you have a child who is anything like mine, she (or he) has multiple toy cell phones. Occasionnally, Kaylin will like to take her phone with us when we run errands. Usually I make her leave all toys in the car because 1)either she'll lose them or 2) I end up carrying everything she totes along. The other day, however, we went into Wal-Mart and I let her take her phone in with us. This particular day she was very talkative. OK - maybe it's just me but I've seen too many mini "Paris's" these days. I don't want to be one of those parents responsible for creating such a child. Well - imagine the scene: A tiny four year old walking around Wal-Mart, swinging one arm with purpose as she walks (almost oblivious to her surroundings) and talking loudly on the cell phone with her friend Derek (from Princess Swan). Again - maybe it's my imagination but she was getting a lot of looks. And even though I think she's the cutest girl ever, my mind was telling me these people were saying "I can't believe that women lets her toddler talk on the cell phone. What's that girl going to be like when she's twelve." I felt the strongest urge to defend myself by hollering out: "IT'S A TOY PHONE!" Although I refrained from making any comments I did make a mental note: "Leave the toy phone at home next time." Whether justified or not at the very least it will save me from mental anguish.