Parent of the Year

So the other night we were watching Supernanny.  We watch the show for two reasons:  1. To learn Jo's techniques (don't you just love how she says "techniques"?) and 2. To be thankful that our kids aren't as out of control as "those other people's kids".  It was the episode with the family of a 5-year-old and 3-year-old triplets, and Billy and I found ourselves nodding our heads in agreement as we related to the parents' frustrations with dealing with so many little ones.  But then the program showed the dad taking all four kids on an outing, and he wasn't holding anyone's hands!  Even when they were about to cross a street.  We were saying, "Dude, what are you thinking?  Parenting 101.  Get a clue!".

The next day I was still thinking about how ridiculous it was for the father to not be holding the kids' hands.  (And congratulating myself for having more sense than he did.)  Not two minutes later I discovered this:

My child.  Playing with matches.

So I guess the lesson is I shouldn't worry so much about other parents' lack of skills and work on my own instead.