Mom responds to criticism for allowing her 7-year-old on a motorcycle
Some kids like rollercoasters, while others prefer activities like jet skiing on a lake. But for Mallory Torres’ 7-year-old daughter, there’s no greater thrill than riding on the back of a motorcycle.
The young girl was recently photographed on her way home from school by a fellow motorist who was outraged to see such a young child participating in what they deemed to be dangerous behaviour. The photo eventually made its way back to Torres, who took to Facebook in response.
“This is my 7 year old daughter riding home from school on a motorcycle. Yes. She’s 7, and she’s on a motorcycle. ‘Why?’ Some of you may ask… Because I love my daughter. That’s right… I LOVE MY DAUGHTER and she loves to ride, so I allow her to ride on the back of a motorcycle in full gear with my boyfriend who has 20+ years of experience,” says Torres.
(Facebook/Mallory Torres)
She then goes on to explain how much her daughter loves motorcycles and that eventually, she would like to get her own. That’s why Torres and her boyfriend are trying to give her as much passenger experience as possible so that she’s ready.
And she understands that this comes with risks.
“’But it’s dangerous’. -yes… but so is allowing your children to participate in sports.
'But she can get hurt’. -yes, but how many times has your child gotten a bruise, scrape, or hell even a broken bone from a sport? Want to know how many MY daughter has had? Zero. That’s right. NOT ONE SCRAPE, BUMP OR BRUISE from riding.
'But there are idiots on the road that you can’t control’ -absolutely right. But that doesn’t prevent you from driving on the road with your children as passengers does it? Didn’t think so. And i can guarantee you have looked down at the radio or phone a time or two, but cyclists know how cautious they have to be of idiot drivers (like the ones looking down at their phone) and do not allow any distractions while riding.”
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Many people feel that Torres and her boyfriend are bad parents for allowing their daughter to ride. “WE ARE GREAT PARENTS,” she says.
“Our children are fed, they are happy, they are healthy, they are up to date on all of their shots and healthcare visits, they are punished when they misbehave and they are praised when they do good. They are EARLY every day to school, they do well in school, we are both stay at home parents that run a home based business together which means that WE raise or children.”
“As parents, we also encourage our children to do the things that they enjoy, which just so happens that one of them loves to ride.”
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She then describes a number of things other parents are guilty of, such as allowing their kids to waste away hours on iPads and cell phones and how they prefer to let their kids live.
“Don’t call us bad parents for enjoying putting a smile on our kids face every now and then with a motorcycle ride home after school. I WILL continue to allow my daughter to ride if she wants to. I WILL continue to be the best parent I can be. I WILL continue to keep my kids happy and pray that they are safe whether it be at school, at home, at a friend’s house, on the basketball court, or on a motorcycle.”
“THERE IS NO POINT IN BEING ALIVE IF YOU AREN’T LIVING!!!”
What do you think of Torres’ response to internet critics? Let us know your thoughts by tweeting to @YahooStyleCA.
