It’s not easy being a mom in Park Slope, Brooklyn. First, not enough corner bodegas stock organic baby food. Now, the neighborhood is plagued with something much worse than a shortage of all-natural tot feed — the ice cream man. Where does it end? Where?
Outrage is building among parents who want to oust aggressive treat-wielding derelicts who dare solicit their children with something as inappropriate as a frozen dairy snack. Everyone knows a child should not be exposed to such a thing — it’s simply un-American.
According to the New York Post, parents complain Prospect Park has turned into a hot hangout for those looking to deal in dairy. The Park Slope Parents online forum was riddled with rants by angry moms who claim their trips to the playground were ruined by temper tantrums sparked by ice cream.
“Two different people came into the actual playground with ice cream/Italian ice push carts,” one angry mom said. “I was able to avoid it for a little while but eventually I left with a crying 4-year-old.”
“I should not have to fight with my children every warm day on the playground just so someone can make a living!” another mom added. No word on whether these parents had ever told their children “no” before this incident.
The sentiment was echoed by other parents on the site who would prefer to avoid a confrontation with their child (i.e. parenting) by removing the middle man — or in this case — ice cream man.
“Nobody wants to be a crank, but one in three kids are going to be obese or diabetic by high school,” said mom Sarah Schenck. “When my kids see other kids get ice cream, they just start begging me. I just don’t think these are the fights we should be having.”
Park Slope parents already have enough on their plates to deal with… like hummus imported from Israel.
