Yup. I find myself constantly evaluating situations to make sure I don't find myself in a scenario that could be misconstrued. For instance, I run, and when I do I avoid running on the path through the community's playground unless I see adults present lest some kid gets hurt or abducted and someone reports that they "saw this guy in the playground with those kids earlier". Sad that this is the first sort of thing that comes to mind these days, but that's where we are.
I never gave kids much thought until my first daughter was born 14 years ago. She was such a joy, I just fell in love with little girls.
I adore the little critters, and watching my daughter and her friends play was so much fun, and such a refreshing change from the hectic cut-throat career world.
But, I simply refuse to be seen watching kids play in public. It isn't worth the stigma.
At the pediatrician's office a few months ago, these precious little girls about 3 years-old were playing with some of the toys in the waiting room, and I started watching them and got sentimental about when my girl was their age. I got lost in the moment, and caught myself after a minute, and returned to my magazine.
Thank goodness no one saw me.
My brother was involved in Little League, and he had a kid on one of his teams (I guess aged 7 or 8 yrs) who was climbing over a fence and slipped and got injured, and had a tear through the crotch area of his pants.
The kid was screaming bloody murder, and my brother couldn't see anything through the tear, so he grabbed the kids pants and went to pull them down to see if the kid had been impaled.
He told me, the first thought as he grabbed the kids pants was..."uh oh...what if someone accuses me of something improper..."
How sad is that?