Scandinavian Babies

Whether you're a parent, or not, do you ever find yourself judging the way folks rear their children? Apparently, it's commonplace for Scandinavian mothers to leave their babies outside for naps, even in the Winter months! As well, babies are also left in their carriages outside of shops and cafes. 

The practice stems from the belief that the cool air is healthy for the child to be exposed to for a few hours a day. Jenny Brandt, of  Southern Sweden notes,"The parents are usually really close by, near the window...I think the whole thing started because the cafés and shops are so small." It's pretty funny when you think about the teeny tiny bodegas and shops we have in New York, which doesn't stop folks from shamelessly blocking aisles! (There's no shortage of critiquing;) 

code red, ninth street.

The Scene:

8:30pm. Ninth Street- in between fifth and sixth avenues in Park Slope.

(For those of you who are not familiar with the geography of the Slope, this is a 'high-traffic' area).
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After having a cocktail at Commonwealth, Vadim and I decided to get a five-dollar margarita at Barrio. Laughing through some minute detail of the evening we turned to our left. Black Lexus. Jersey plates. Door ajar.

A woman is leaning over her toddler- holding his pants open with one hand, his penis in between the index finger and thumb of her other hand- as he urinates. A gaggle of drunks are smoking across the street at Dram Shop's door. A man walks by with his Boston terrier.

A siren sounds.

"Oh God, please, please tell me he's coming for them," Vadim jabbed me in the side.

Sadly, he was not.



Image-Photo Bucket.