Baby may be left in buggy for good reason
I'm fascinated that Terry can diagnose the presence or otherwise of a disability with a passing glance.
Perhaps we should replace our many skilled paediatric consultants with PR consultants, as the spindoctors don't have to bother with examinations or expensive tests to assess disabilities?
To assume that children aged two to four sitting in a buggy can be put down to lazy parenting, or a lazy child, is lazy thinking.
There are many good reasons why a child may be in a buggy for certain periods of time, not least the sanity of an unaccompanied parent.
It is almost impossible to do any kind of serious shopping (as opposed to a leisurely browse round shoe shops) with an unrestrained two-year-old whose natural enthusiasm and curiosity will inevitably lead to grabbing from shelves or simply disappearing out of sight.
The security of knowing your toddler is safely in your control is a great reassurance to many parents.
I'd be delighted to invite Terry to join me and my delightful two-year-old girl for a couple of hours shopping.
Terry can mind my little girl (who normally prefers to be out of her buggy, incidentally) while I take a leisurely browse around the shops and read the newspaper over a coffee.
I'd bet Terry would write a different column after that.
Shane Hogan
Ballinteer
Hilton Gardens
Ballinteer
Dublin 16
