I did not edit or break up McDavid’s statement, because I believe her raw, emotional words say it all. But there is one thing I want to underscore. Note that Misty says she has told her sons time and again to “scream and act like someone is killing you” if anyone ever tried to hurt them, but in the moment, her son froze and did nothing. I myself, as an adult, have frozen in a moment of panic despite knowing what to do when my stove caught on fire (I did not even THINK about the fact that we have a fire extinguisher until I had put the fire out by another, less safe means. I completely FROZE.), so I can understand a child not following what they’ve been told.
McDavid stated that she and her child will be taking self-defense classes, and I think that is super smart. I am seriously considering the same for me and my kids. Because, McDavid’s experience plus my own moment of panic have pretty much convinced me that we cannot properly respond to these situations without PRACTICE. That’s right, in this day and age, we need to DRILL for situations where we might be attacked if we really want to be prepared.
Also, I know it stinks for our 10-year-old boys to have to go in the women’s bathroom with mom, but getting abused or worse stinks MORE. If possible, use family restrooms with a lock. If that’s not possible, it’s into the public restroom with mom until he’s old enough and big enough to defend himself. Don’t not DO SOMETHING because it’s embarrassing. Any embarrassment is well worth suffering for our kids’ well-being.
Thank you to Misty for sharing — it is SO hard to expose yourself to the public ridicule that comes with these situations. But she has no doubt helped scores of parents with her transparency.
Be SMART and SAFE, my friends!
