Slippery Slope
I’m sure I’m not the only busy parent with multiple young children who’s witnessed (participated in) some variation of the following protocol:
First play date: park car, bring child in, get acquainted with parents (or responsible adult), meet any other children in household. Do a cursory scan of the premises for unattended firearms, open bottles of liquor, drug or bondage paraphernalia, etc.
If none, kiss child and leave.
Elapsed time: 5-10 minutes
Second play date: bring child in, make brief small talk with host parent(s). Elapsed time: 2 minutes
Third through fifth play date: bring child to door, coordinate pick up time with host parent(s). Elapsed time: 30 seconds
All successive play dates: pull up in front of house, press button to unlock car door, announce to child in back seat “we’re here.”
Elapsed time: 5 seconds.
P.S.: Accommodations to the foregoing made when the windchill is more than 20 below.
