Wednesday, June 22, 2011

MYOB!



1.) List 10 things you wish you could say to strangers who share unsolicited advice about your parenting skills.


Well, this is a very timely prompt! Just last weekend, I was unable to contain myself and resist responding to another Mom's question about public tantrums on a Mommy forum.
Basically it went something like this:
Mommy with question says, "What do you do if you're out shopping and your child throws a tantrum?"
I wasn't the first responder, not even close! I chose to respond because so many other Moms said, pick up the kid, walk out and leave the buggy or grocery cart right where it is at that moment. 
EXCUSE ME! What?!
The kid definitely didn't want to be there, hence the tantrum, and you just showed him (or her) they could get their way by throwing a fit! Am I the only one that sees this as backwards discipline? Come on somebody, back me up here!
But I digress...
Anyway, if I do say so myself, I very eloquently explained why I felt that wasn't the best discipline and/ or learning process for the child.
I have been in that position many times with my children and it can certainly be embarrassing.
Inevitably, some moron stranger thinks they have the right to soothe my child, shoot me an evil look, or make a snide comment.
Here's my TOP 10 list of things I WISH I could say (but never have...You know? Trying to be graceful and all :-))
10.) Mind your own business! Please and Thank you?!
 9.) Have a nice day (with sarcasm of course)! 
 8.) I'm the Mommy- that's why!
 7.) She's fine (through my clenched teeth).
 6.) Need a camera?
 5.) Would you like to go to time-out too?
 4.) It's been a long time since you had a 2 year old, huh?
 3.) Want to take him home and see how long you last?
 2.) You don't have any kids, do you?
 1.) Watch out! She bites!
WOW! That was fun! Glad I usually manage to bite hold my tongue though...


What would you say?

4 comments:

  1. So far I havent had to leave the cart. But I think if my child was being super super obnoxious I would probably leave--and make them pay for it with discipline.

    I can so relate to all of that! People really forget what two year olds are capable of. They can make an entire Target store sound like a nightmare. hahah. Nice post--I wrote on this too!

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  2. I love #1! And I agree with your parenting philosophy. Once, when Thing One was small, I arranged for my best friend to be "on alert" to come and get him. When he threw his fit, she took him home....BUT, I came home, I had ice cream for ME but none for him....and I ate it front of him...relishing every single bite.

    We never had to leave a store again :)

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  3. I have no clue what I would say to someone who made a comment about my parenting skills. I do remember those tantrums though, and I totally agree with you.

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  4. Ha! Those are great. I absolutely HATE IT when some old person says (in a shmoopy-poopy voice) "oh is someone having a bad day??" I want to say, YOU ARE ABOUT TO, THAt'S WHO!!!"

    The only thing I can think of with the tantrum, is that sometimes my kid is fine being at the store but then wants me to buy them something. When I say no, THEN the tantrum starts so sometimes I will leave the store without the item - because the kid isn't getting it anyhow. I dont' know if that makes sense...

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