You know who you are. The two who were scoffing at me as I was trying to deal with the biggest melt down in discount store history. The ones who commented how you never have seen kids misbehave so badly or how you would have NEVER responded the way I did as I was standing at the end of your aisle. With your older kids standing and observing nonetheless. The ones that I curtly asked "Do you really not have any compassion for a fellow mother who was obviously struggling at the moment?" before I started sobbing and then dragged my screaming son and baby out of the store, leaving my full cart of unpurchased merchandise at the front of the store.
I just am floored by your rudeness. And lack of understanding and support. Maybe my child is the worst behaved preschooler that ever entered a store. And there is no "maybe" about it - it is a proven fact I am less than perfect with my mothering skills. But aren't we all? Isn't parenting one of the most difficult things you have ever done? Haven't you ever had a moment of pure desperation when you have no idea what to do? Aren't we all just trying our best? Didn't you have terrible, horrible, no good days? Aren't all of our kids learning and growing and making mistakes? Didn't you realize you make mistakes all the time?
There are many things I want to say (lots more telling off and scolding) but the most important is this: Let's, as mothers, stop criticizing and start supporting each other. Let's not under estimate how a compassionate glance can ease each other's burdons or a kind comment can ease the heart of a stressed mother in a difficult situation. Let's keep negative comments and criticism to ourselves. Let's give each other the benefit of the doubt. Let's whisper a prayer for each other for strength. Let's never forget we are all part of the same club, trying our best to love and raise our children.
Please. I beg of you. We all could use more helping hands and understanding allies as we strive to do the most important job. I think teaching our children through our own actions to be compassionate will do more for them in their lives than how we deal with tantrums in Public places.
Thank you,
A frazzled mother just doing the best she can
Amen. Before kids, I admit, I was horrible at passing silent judgement. However, now I try to give the "Been there, sister, hang in there!" look, so she knows she's not alone. We're all just trying to do our best!
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