I didn’t almost forget my daughter at the playground. Not even close.
Every so often, I see an eye roll or a reaction from another person suggesting they didn’t agree with something I did. On occasion, I actually feel the need to justify myself. I would never expect an explanation from another mom, nor should I ever feel the need to give one…but I sometimes do.
I was at the playground today. It was a beautiful day, we met up with friends for a picnic and to let the kids play. When we left, we had to climb up a set of stairs to get to our car. M decided to go up first and hide. I assumed she went with our friends and kept walking. Next thing I hear, 15 feet behind me, is M, laughing and yelling, “Hi Mom! Forget someone?”
It would have taken me another 2 seconds before I realized I was ahead of her and turned around. A group of ‘kids’ was hanging around at the steps, and one of them said to me, with total seriousness, “You almost forget her!”
Yes, buddy, because I would have walked to my car in sheer oblivion, not checking for my daughter. As if I would have driven away and only noticed her absence at home. I laughed it off. But then he turned to his friends and said, “She almost forgot that little girl. Can you believe it?”
I still kept walking to the car, just wanting to get my 2 tired girls home for a drink and rest, but I began fuming. I wanted so badly to go back and tell him that I certainly did not almost forget her. That I thought she was with our friends, and I would have noticed momentarily. To stress that we were in a closed space where she wasn’t going to run in traffic. To tell him that I’m a good mom who doesn’t forget my kids.
But, why did I care? He was 17, maybe 18 tops. He had no idea what he was talking about. But, insulted my ability to take care of my kids. I wish I had said something, but what do you say? I’d sound like I was making excuses.
What do you say if you’re challenged by someone who is completely ignorant? I wish my skin were a bit thicker. I can take comments about gaining a few pounds, getting some new grays, even about the way I drive…but not about the way I take care of my kids.
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Posted by LZ on May 4, 2010
Filed under: Daily Life, The Monsters
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May 4, 2010
First of all, anything that comes from the mouth of a teenage boy should be immediately disregarded! Their raging testoterone makes them completely irrelevant! At the end of the day, you will never have to see that jerk again and you know what the real deal is.
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May 4, 2010
I blogged that I need thicker skin today, too.
I probably wouldn’t have said anything. But, I would have been pissed. It’s not even possible for me to forget one of my kids somewhere. Clueless people.
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May 4, 2010
Oh, man is that rough. But truth be told? That boy was a teen & just like Kameron said – pretty much anything out of the mouth of a teen boy should be disregarded. Trust me cause I have one & he is absolutely clueless. Once upon a time in the summer no less, he blurts out that there is no Santa to my baby. I could have killed him & then some.
And I have totally done that where I thought my child was in front as we’re leaving someplace but in reality they are behind me. Check out this link for a really funny version of what we moms have to deal w/ when it comes to teen boys (be really glad that you have girls btw!)
http://regardingannie.wordpress.com/2010/04/21/16-year-old-boys-should-all-be-shot/
Sues2u2´s last blog ..Aloha Friday 29 April…
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May 4, 2010
THICKER SKIN!!!
There is nothing but madness down the road that requires you to account to idiotic strangers about your parenting. I have heard a lot of “bad-mommy” comments over the years, and I do not obsess or worry about a single one. Why? Because I am doing the best I can, which I happen to think is pretty damn great.
Also? I have thick skin. It’ s very useful.
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May 4, 2010
There is nothing that gets and keeps me upset like someone questioning my parenting. Friend, family or stranger. It leaves me miffed for days. I wish I could shrug it off with – doing the best I can – but I’m not thick skinned either.
Kate´s last blog ..just a couple of little moments…
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May 4, 2010
I would have said, “maybe you should talk to my daughter because obviously you were left at the playground one too many times by YOUR mom!” Or, “Well at least my daughter is 18 hanging out at a kids playground!” Oh, I could go on with the come backs (which are always easier to think of than to SAY!).
I’d be annoyed too… for sure. Just one thing I’m sure you weren’t in the mood to deal with at the end of a long day. Ugh.
becca´s last blog ..Mawwiage
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May 4, 2010
People are unapologetic jackasses sometimes.
Blow it off, you KNOW you’re a good parent.
Michelle´s last blog ..Maybe You Think I Am Who I’m Not?
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May 5, 2010
Twitter: CoffeesCommutes
Honestly, I tend to be a bit crass when it come to stuff like this and so if a teenage boy did the same to me I’d likely just holler back “jackass”. That would make me feel so much better!
Christine LaRocque´s last blog ..The Lonely Stay-at-Home-Mom
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May 5, 2010
Twitter: HaBryerton
In all my smart mommyness, I probably would have given him the finger. Yep. The finger. I am mature like that.
And, then dealt with the fall out at the dinner table as my daughter describes to my husband how mommy gave the finger to a boy at the playground. Its just I have no patience for rude, dis-respectful, hot shot 18 year old boys that think because they have hormones raging through their system that they are older, and wiser than they are. And, to make matters worse, I totally lack the ability to ‘let things go’ – especially when my ability to be a mom is called into question.
At the end of the day, deep down, you know that you are the best mom you can be. You are the best mom in the world in the eyes of your girls – and that is all that matters at the end of the day.
HaB´s last blog ..M is for….
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May 5, 2010
I would have told him to “shut the f up” which surprisingly I have done before.
Sadie at heyMamas
Sadie at heyMamas´s last blog ..Age ain’t nothing but a number
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May 5, 2010
Twitter: mommyiscranky
I concur with a couple of the other commenters, there’s no conversing with a teen boy – at least not one who feels compelled to speak to adults like that.
It’s hard to have thick skin when it comes to the areas of our lives that are so important and so full of choices and difficulties.
Cranky Sarah´s last blog ..So hormonal
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May 6, 2010
Twitter: noreturnmom
I hate it when I decide to let something go and then realize how much it bothers me to my core. I’d probably take an (albeit ignorant) jab at my parenting to heart, too. But it was from a total punk. In fact, it’d really be nice if teens who were not babysitting or with siblings were banned from playgrounds altogether. He’ll get his comeuppance eventually when he’s got his own kids.
Deb´s last blog ..To: God Cc: Internet
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