Before I tell you about this fine gent, let me start by telling you the kind of mood Evangeline is in today. She woke up thinking she was the boss. You know that mood, right? Where they think that everything is going to be their way and if it's not then all hell will break loose? That is my daughter today.
Two hours after dealing with a defiant three-year-old and skyrocket blood pressure, I have the great idea of going to get a few things from the store (I should mention that our local grocery store has a robotic cow that "moos" when you press a button). After insisting on bringing in a notepad and pen, Evangeline continuously drops both objects to see how many times I will pick it up. On the third pick up, I put the objects in my purse. Once she is through having a tiny fit, she notices the donuts.
"Mom, donuts! Get me one!"
"That's not how you ask for things. I am not getting you a donut, you need to eat lunch when we get home."
The fit continues...
"You're a mean mommy!" She screams this repeatedly and I notice a man in his late 40's, his appearance a little homely, watching us. We are at the milk section where the aforementioned cow is. The screaming changes to, "Mom! I need to press the button!" I tell her no. Now, that might have been a little mean, but I had had enough of her attitude and thought she needed to learn that throwing fits won't get you anything. As I walk past the cow, the man presses the button and the cow goes off. "There you go," he says.
Are you for real? Biting my tongue I head toward a different isle. After getting my items I begin checking out in the self-checkout line. Lo and behold, the cow man is self-checking out next to me. As I'm scanning items, Evangeline starts taking things off the belt and trying to open them. I grab the stuff out of her hands and tell her not to touch anything. Two minutes later she does it again and opens an applesauce. This time after removing the applesauce, I smack her hand while telling her not to do it again. Cow man butts in, "Don't hit her, I'll call someone."
I have had it. "I'm sorry, but you don't know the situation, so please don't tell me how to parent." I turn back to finish checking out.
"Just because you're PMSing doesn't mean you should take it out on your children. Get a job and let someone else more suitable to take care of them."
Is this real life? While trying to handle my composure, a woman in her 50's turns to the man.
"Excuse me, but butt out. I've witnessed the entire situation and this young lady has done nothing wrong. Mothering is the hardest job there is, and she's doing just fine. Do you want to live in a world where children go undisciplined and are allowed to act however they please? Unless you want a menopausal woman to rip you a new one, I suggest you shut your trap."
At this, the man grabs his items and scoffs off. Feeling a sense of empowerment from this nice woman, I yell after him, "And you'd be pretty ticked too if shark week happened in your pants every month!" I turn back to the woman, "That's totally not what's happening though." I then thank you her for standing up for me. "Don't let people tell you you're doing anything wrong. I was in your shoes thirty years ago and I've had many people try to tell me how to do things. We all have rough days, you'll get through this one. You are a fine mother." Then the angel walked away.
Trying to process everything that just happened, I stand there and take a deep breath. Evangeline says,"I'm sorry for breaking your feelings, mom. I still love you."
I wish I could say that was the end of Miss Attitude, but sadly that is not the case. I'm currently going on an hour and a half of her coming out of her room when she should be taking a nap, along with waking her brother up three times. Feeling my blood pressure heading for the sky again, I replay the woman's kind words. I will get through this day and I am a fine mother.
The next time someone tells you you're not doing a good job, tell them you are.
And then say, "kiss my a$$" if you want.
Perfectly Yours,Samantha
No comments:
Post a Comment