Tonight I was out shopping by myself…you know trying to find something cute for Blissdom. My mom lives 15 minutes away…so my girls get to stay with her one night a weekend. And usually I go on a date with my husband! So tonight my girls are with grandma. My husband had a soccer clinic…so I found my self alone. That doesn’t happen too often. So, I perused some stores. As I was walking around, I heard this boy whisper to his mom “I have to go to the bathroom.” She said in an agitated voice “Are you serious?” Then she huffed and stomped him to the bathroom all the way to the back of the store. I heard another say, “See, I told you to leave them at home. I told you we shouldn’t have brought them in.” I heard several other agitated moms with their kids who didn’t want to be at the store. You know when you hear another mom talking to their child in an agitated voice, it always sounds worse than when you’re the one actually saying it. I am that mom. I don’t want to be. The last thing I want is for my girl’s to feel like they are a nuisance.
I love the honesty of your reflection. I’ve had many of those kinds of instances in my life. The kind that help you realize things about yourself…who you want and don’t want to be. Your kids are lucky to have you!
what a great reminder!! thanks for your post!
What I hate, and hope that I don’t do, is when you’re out late at night and you see parents just yelling at their children because the children are upset, tired, needy and all that happens when kids are little and up well past their bed times. I feel for the kids, and a little for the parents but not as much as they are the reason the kids are up. I understand what you’re saying and like how you are recognize that you don’t want to be that mom. I’m sure your kids don’t feel it as much as you do. 🙂
Isn’t that the truth? I once heard a mother berate her child for crying because she had to go potty so badly (and had asked her mommy to take her for a full ten minutes). I almost asked the mother if she wanted me to take her (since I was shopping alone). lol Let us remember they are a BLESSING and we are to be THANKFUL. Thanks for the reminder.
You really got me with this one. I am that mom too. Especially the potty thing, I don’t think my son actually ever pees at home, he only goes in public restrooms.
I know what you’re saying, it does sound worse when somebody else is saying it. But at the same time, I try to keep in mind that I <>have<> been that mom on more than one occasion, and sympathize with them rather than think ‘what a horrible mom’. Not that I think you thought that! 🙂 And often, at least I know in my case, there’s a story behind it that nobody else knows. Like I told him 20 times to go to the bathroom before we left, he didn’t, and 2 minutes into the store I get the “I gotta go!”.
I’m that mom too! I’m so glad you posted this. Thank you! I don’t want to be that mom either. Thanks for reminding me that my babies are blessings.
We are all that mom sometimes, more than we’d like, and it’s a nice reminder to speak love and grace into their little hearts. Makes me wanna get outta bed and love on them some more. And thanks so much for the linky love! Did you buy anything for Blissdom. I’m tempted to shop my own closet. I know there’s stuff hiding in there that would work ok. Getting exciiiited!
Ouch!! Where you talking to me? I so dont want to be that mom either and need to work on it. I dont want my kids to think they are a nuisance.
I just pray that when my 11 month old hits those 2’s I remember to have grace and patience!
Funny that I came here and read this because I was thinking this just today.Mostly because I’ve been trying to remind myself that “I” am always the one who drags my son from store to store, tires him out, feeds him drinks to “treat” him.. it’s rarely his own fault that he has to go or that he whines about it… If he had his choice he’d be home where he could potty to his heart’s content.
Thanks for the reminder to be more patient with my little ones. They are my biggest joy and I am thankful every day for them.
I’m the Mom telling the little one to sit down in the shopping cart. My girls I have to say have always been great in the store. But, we are early morning shoppers. And I don’t take them to more than two stores.
I am sooo THAT mom but I dont mean to be. Partly, I just can’t seem to do anything quietly or subtlely and partly things come out of my mouth discombotulated. For instance…Im walking with four little ones and two are in the little tikes car attached to the grocery cart thing that many stores have and you cant see and they are too wide for the aisle..My daughter keeps sticking her head out which makes us not fit through the aisle so I say (more loudly than I realize) “Get in the car or Im gonna hit you in the head” People all over the store stopped and glared at me. I wasn’t threatening to hit her! I was trying to explain to her that…….I remind myself not to judge and keep trying to come up with some encouraging words. We have all been there, THEY just happen to be there IN PUBLIC. OR maybe they really dont know any better and dont KNOW that their children are a blessing. I dont want to be that mom AND I soo feel for her.
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Oh gosh, maybe you overheard me talking! Thanks for the reminder. I do not want to be that mom, but there are too many instances where I am…
wow. i’m torn on this issue. one; because i have encountered mothers who do treat their kids like a nuisance. two; i have a daughter who needs to pee 5 minutes after i just took her. she goes once. then 5 minutes once more. 5 minutes pass, again. it happens sometimes, not all the time, and i have been there. “are you kiddin?” and no she doesn’t have an overactive bladder. she’s been checked. my ped said, maybe she just needs to pee every 5 minutes? idk. all i know is it can be annoying when the bathroom is clear across Target.
As a mom of three, now getting a new education as they are getting older…the trips to the bathroom are nothing….just remember they grow all too quickly and won’t be asking you any more, they will just be walking out the door. Love them, kiss them and hug them as much as you can every day!!! Free time comes all too soon.Janet
Thankyou for that! I know I am that mom too sometimes, and your words about not wanting your kids to feel like they are a nuisance.. I almost cried!I found you thru Teresa Sheeleys blog.