A stranger at the park scared me today...

MissLMS · March 2010

I took K to the park nearest our house so she could try a bucket swing for the first time. (siggy pic.)

The park is kind of in a shady area, but it's very public and it was lunchtime, so I thought it would be fine.

We were having a great time when a strange-acting man came up to us and starting talking to me about how girls need to be brought up "tough" and then got down in my baby's face and started making motions to his neck, trying to show her how to "throat punch" a man if he ever treats her wrong.

I freaked. I smile nicely because I didn't want the man to attack me or my child. I basically said something like "Oh, Kennedy, I think it's time to try out the slide" and grabbed her from the swing and started walking away fast. We left almost immediately. Part of me wanted to call the cops on teh guy. I wondered if he was on something.

bamanichole · March 2010

Oh my gosh! That would freak me out too. I wouldn't go back to that park alone.

amandabrooke81 · March 2010

SOOOO SCARY! Yes, I think I would report him. It'd be awful if he ever did anything to a child out there. Were y'all alone {well besides Mr. Scary Man}? Glad he didn't do anything...

JameyRN · March 2010

Did you go to the one right down the street from your house? I would have been scared to death too. She looks really cute in the swing though!

hamillm · March 2010

Oh my gosh, that would have scared me too! I'm glad nothing else happened!

ameliaandmatt · March 2010

That is so scary! I definitely think I would've called the cops. BTW, she is super cute in your new siggy pic!

lisap_30 · March 2010

Yeah, that's definitely freaky. Even if he was not a crazy, that is not appropriate conversation to have with a complete stranger.... Bizarre!

mrssamuels2b · March 2010

You were right to be scared. There are some really strange people out there. Do you have a friend or neighbor you could meet from now own? You should invest in a can of Mace...I carried one for a long time then I lost it...I would also suggest remembering what strange people are wearing or tatoos they may have just in case...be safe, girl!

lilcrablegs · March 2010

I agree with Ashley. It may sound paranoid, but I think it's smart to look for scars, tattoos, piercings, etc. You never know what kind of idiot you will encounter! And seriously...a throat punch?! Creepy!

MissLMS · March 2010

That is a good idea about trying to notice personal details of people like that.

The park was packed so I felt fairly safe going there.. but Jamey, you are right. It's Monnish Park, the one on 15th street close by the house.

When I first got to the house I was hesitant to go there because the same man had a gigantic chain and was out in the parking lot, twisting the chain around on the asphalt like a snake. I tried not to stare and stick to our own business.

I think next time I will just go to a different park in a better area.