A quick scan at the photos on the Bruning family’s Facebook page and you can tell that they love being outdoors.
Parents Mike and Kelly have two little boys aged two and four and live on the beachfront in Mission Bay, San Diego, California, in a two-bedroom apartment. They’ve lived there for nine years.
They’ve enjoyed their community and beachy lifestyle – but then last week they received an anonymous letter addressed to “Mike and Kelli” which was really pretty nasty about the family’s living arrangements.
Here’s the letter – and as Kelly (note the spelling) and Mike said:
no return address = coward
santa stamp = swing and a miss
c’mon ‘Kelli with an ‘i’ …. = dingbat
*Parent,
It’s important that you know that you guys are about the most selfish parents around. Because you like the beach, your boys are trapped in a tiny, one bedroom upstairs apartment. Kids need yard to play in. A swing set, or trike to ride when they want to, not just when it’s convenient for you. I don’t know this buy I doubt that either of you had to grow up under these conditions.
SHAME ON YOU*
Mike and Kelly posted the letter on Facebook with a message of their own:
“Now… this place just got interesting. We received this in the mail today … not everyone in 92109 is solid. Sometimes harassment comes is simple forms.”
And the pair has received a whole lot of support with messages like these.
*”Who asked for their opinion. Size of a home doesn’t determine happiness. My sisters and I (5 of us) grew up in a small place until our mid teens. And we had a blast with no back yard and a small apartment. The building and neighbourhood were our playground along with the other kids. This is when you say mind your business to nosy nobodies.”
“I consider my family lucky that we have the ability to even drive to the beach. Plus I sucks at housekeeping. A bigger house to clean is not going to make life better especially if it’s not something we can afford. Here’s to living tiny!!”*
Following the media attention and outpouring of support, here’s a little movie Kelly and Mike have just posted of their kids enjoying their beachy backyard.
Ever received any unsolicited advice – either signed or anonymous? Or maybe you have views on raising kids in an apartment?
