Stop Mommy Shaming over the Gorilla Incident

[Dorian Gray]

110. I was just at a zoo with my daughter

In Toronto. Beautiful zoo. Lots of wonderful animals and exhibits to see.

I don't text when I'm with her. We hold hands most of the time. She is a pretty easy child, good natured and not likely to run off. (She's 5)

However, there was a moment where I looked at the new baby white lion cubs (so cute!) and I turned to say something to her, and I couldn't find her. We had let go of our hands, and the total time I couldn't see her was probably about 15 seconds. She walked around me to get a closer look at the cubs.

Something most children do.

I know I am not a bad mom. But those seconds are all it takes for something tragic to happen.

When we jump on this mom for being negligent because for a few moments she didn't know where her child was, we are blaming the wrong person. Plus, there is a LOT of criticism for helicopter parenting.

Most times children don't jump into gorilla enclosures.

This is a freak accident. No mother would expect that a 4 year old child would be able to do that. I am shocked that it was so easy for a child to get into the gorilla exhibit.

Thank goodness that child is safe. I am heartbroken that the gorilla had to be shot, but I do think the zoo made the right decision. The life of a child needs to come first in a situation like that.