Lubbock recently sprang into action to help find a missing 11-year-old girl, and honestly, this city deserves a standing ovation. When it mattered, people looked up from their phones, checked their neighborhoods, shared information, and did what good humans are supposed to do. No drama, no judgment \u2014 just heart.<\/p>\n
The disappointing part? The sidelines. Specifically, the handful of people on social media who saw a child in danger and thought, \u201cPerfect time to lecture strangers about parenting!\u201d<\/p>\n
This wasn\u2019t a TED Talk. This wasn\u2019t a parenting symposium. This was about a kid who needed help \u2014 period.
Goal #1: Find the girl.
Goal #2: Mind your own business.<\/p>\n
This whole situation reminded me of a story from when my own little brother went missing as a toddler. Our entire block mobilized instantly \u2014 no judgment, no blame, just action. And where did we finally find him?
Inside the house. Sitting on the toilet. Joyfully splashing in toilet water like he\u2019d just discovered the world\u2019s grossest kiddie pool.<\/p>\n
Now tell me:
What helpful parenting advice could anyone possibly offer after that?
Kids are unpredictable little chaos goblins. Sometimes they wander. Sometimes they hide. Sometimes they turn the bathroom into SeaWorld. It happens.<\/p>\n
And that\u2019s the point.
When a child goes missing, you help.
If you\u2019re not helping, then keep your \u201cWell actually\u2026\u201d comments to yourself.<\/p>\n