“Unbelievable” was my first thought. I was shopping in the vegetable section of my favorite grocery store and had to step back because two giddy, laughing girls about 5 years old were leaning over a basket of fresh garlic and licking the bulbs.

One mother said, “If anything falls on the floor be sure to pick it up.” That was when the girls began licking the lids and necks of the small lime bottle.

I blurted out, “That’s disgusting.” The mother leaned over and spoke to the girls, who replied, “We weren’t licking.” The mother said, “Well, you were so close, it appeared to the lady that you were licking.”

Again, my response was unbelievable. What is this denial of misdeeds in lack of common sense or just plain ignorance of good manners and citizenship? Parents, take possession of wrongdoing and correct it so your children can mature to thinking, responsible adults. I’m only writing this because a similar incident happened in October during the H1N1 scare.

With all the world problems, I do see a connection here. Where will we be if no one takes responsibility or is held accountable for their actions? I, a grandmother of five, remain appalled and angry. I’m mad as hell and parents need to wake up – this “good job” has gone way beyond the well-intentioned praise.

Let these young individuals learn self-esteem and confidence by making mistakes, then owning up to them and figuring out how to do better next time. Children are resilient.

Please love them and teach them to respect their fellow human beings and other people’s belongings. They will thrive.

Cate Gilmore

Eagle Harbor