By now you've probably read about Madeleine McCann, the four-year-old British girl that went missing from her parents' hotel room in Portugal on May 3.
Despite a massive search, pleas from celebrities like David Beckham, and a multi-million dollar reward, the little girl has not been found.
The story brings up a touchy parenting issue with cultural overtones: whether it's appropriate to leave small children alone at home or in a hotel room as the case maybe. In some cultures, it's acceptible to leave strollers outside shops and restaurants while parents browse or eat inside.
Kate and Gerry McCann left Madeleine and her sleeping younger siblings asleep alone in their hotel room while they had dinner "50 meters away." They felt it appropriate to do so even though the resort at which they were staying offered a nightly babysitting service. The McCanns say they took turns checking on the kids throughout their meal. Then they returned home to find a parent's worst nightmare had become a reality.
Anyway you slice it, this story is heartbreaking. The McCanns surely feel responsible for the choice they made, but I have to admit, I've thought about just dashing to the corner store for milk or whatever while my small kids napped. I've even gone so far as mentally timed how long I'd be gone ("just 5 minutes maybe less").
Perhaps what has captured parents' hearts everywhere is that we can all relate to wanting time alone. We've all been in a quiet house with kids fast asleep and thought, "What if?" It's tempting isn't it? But then, there are always those worst case scenarios that creep into your head.
I wish Madeleine a safe return and my heart goes out to her parents.
