Paranoia or Healthy Fear?

I call this a legitimate fear, Hubs calls it paranoia.

Here's my fear: someone snatching one/all of my kids and/or me.

Here's the reality of the situation: 3 kids age 4 and under. There's no such thing as quickly getting everyone out of/into our vehicle. Or at least, not into and all buckled up for safety.

I have it down to a science by now, but it still takes a few minutes. And, anyone watching us cross a parking lot would be able to tell this. One mom, probably looking frazzled since I'm almost always frazzled after being out and about with my 3, who has 3 little ones in tow, either with a full shopping cart or a massive stroller. It's obvious: it's going to take us longer than 2 seconds to get everyone and everything into our vehicle.

Which makes me think that we are ripe for the taking.

If you walk close to us as I'm getting everyone back in, you will hear my furious whisper(no, I don't yell at this point, since that would only draw further attention to us) to my children to stay with Mommy, where are you, are you right there, talk to me, Mommy needs to see/hear/be able to touch you to know that you are there. Though if you are close enough to hear this, I will also be shooting you furtive looks to be sure you aren't trying to take someone.

Hubs thinks it's a little excessive, this fear of mine. Of course, he wants me to be aware, but he also claims that anyone who took one of our kids would quickly give one back...he has the nerve to joke about this. And, we live in a quiet little suburb...but I can hear those words on the news: This afternoon, in what is a quiet little suburb...

I don't let it rule our lives, we still go out and about all the time, especially since staying at home with my three extremely active little ones for any length of time is enough to make us all crazy, but I always have that fear.

Not paranoia, Hubs. Healthy fear.