Really Bad Day!

Bless your heart, A.! Relax, now...take a deep breath! Who gives a hoot what those *girls* think of you and/or your family? You said it yourself, you'll probably never see them again in your life! Maybe it was SHE that was having a BAD day, and that's why she did what she did. Plus, I truly think that other people only snicker and make snide comments to make themselves feel better about something they're totally insecure about. They were probably totally jealous of you and your beautiful children!!! I wouldn't give it another thought, although I'm sure easier said than done. I would probably be mulling over it in my brain just like you are had it happened to me (except I probably would have punched her...LOL - just kidding :)) Relax, smile, go hug your kids and supportive hubby. As you know probably better than most of us, since Avery, life is precious and waaayyyy too short to waste on some young punk(s) that have no manners. Give yourself a break - you certainly deserve one, my friend!!!

What I have noticed it there are a lot of so called parents out there who have no clue about manors or respect to begin with. If they don't have it or the knowledge to act like an adult and a parent, then how can they possibly pass it along. You shouldn't worry about it, however with my current state of moods and I may have made a comment to my children about how rude some people can be and something about how that behavior is not exceptibal from an adult. Sorry I have had it with people with no class thinking the world owes them something. Smile and realize you are better then those children at the doctor's office, you have and know how to use MANNERS :)

Chelle E.

Maybe I am going to be the only one to voice this side, but let me explain right now that I do not condone the girls laughing at you for what happened. However, I DO NOT allow other children whom I do not know touch my child or my childs things. Whether he's in a stroller or standing around, many parents believe it's ok for their child to move in to my childs territory, take or touch toys, food, or whatever else he may have in his hands. I do not allow this, NOR do I allow my son to do that to someone else. My son is extremely outgoing and I have been trying to help teach him that we don't just say "hi" to anybody that's standing around. It's been a long process. So, in those girls shoes, I would've felt the same way, BUT, I would NOT have just pulled the stroller out from under her foot. I would have asked her to please not place her foot on my things, and if that wouldn't have worked, I would've talked to the parent. The situation was handled improperly by the girls, but to say that "We are not dirty people, my daughter didn't have snot running down her face so why??" Why? Because for me, if it's not yours, don't touch it. PERIOD. And that is the golden rule I am teaching my son now.

Hi A.,

We all want to think that we are better mothers then other moms. That our children will never behave this way and I will never tolerate this kind of behavior. But in reality, we don't know unless we are in a situation with an over-active child. Shame on those moms who gave you the look. If it ever happens to you again, make a light joke of having an overactive toddler for a child. Instead of giving you the look, they may even relate to you. Personally it bothers me when moms are just yaking away on their cell phones, being completely oblivious to the distruction their child is causing. But you reacted and tried to stop but couldn't. If I can't control my daughter's crying in a public place, I usually make a light joke of having babies. Then people just smile at me and say that they know what it's like, instead of judging me and my parenting skills. So realax, don't let it bother you. Toddlers will be toddlers and how other people react to them is out of your control, so just forget this incident ever happened. If you know that you are a good mother, you don't need to prove it to complete strangers.

I would be surprised that this is your first exposure to such rude behavior (although previous instances may not have hit you the same way - different circumstance), and it likely won't be the last. First, keep your cool as you are the most important role model for your children. You may choose to politely tell your child not to touch other peoples stuff without asking first. And make it a learning experience for your child (as well as the rude parent that pulled the stroller away from your child). You could explain to your child that you know she is just being a child and doing what normal, curious, friendly children do, but that there are some people that do not like it when others touch their stuff without asking, etc. Your child is being a child....and any parent that doesn't recognize that should do some research on child development. As child will be children, we as adults and their guardians and teachers must help them understand boundaries and manners, etc. by using such opportunities to explain what is a proper way to do things or respond to things, etc. You could also explain to your child how the other parents reaction (pulling the stroller) away was improper, rude and cruel to a child, etc.). Keep in mind that the woman that pulled the stroller away from your daughter must have a very unhappy life if she is so preoccupied and consumed with keeping other children touching her stuff, her children, etc.

Isn't it stressful when 'everything' seems to go wrong....people aren't being considerate, kids over-react, and you just end up feeling 'dumped on'?!

There are many reasons the stroller could've been pulled back. Some parents are overprotective....or she could've realized you were trying to get your daughter not to do it and backed it away to lessen the temptation. She could've been pulling it back so your daughter wouldn't be hurt - or her child could be in the hitting/hairpulling stage! Her child could have food allergies, or been sick.... Granted, she could've offered a smile or been sweeter with it...but as another wrote, she could've also been one having a bad day.

It's not right to snicker - and they could've even been saying 'that poor mom, we all have days like that' or 'that's how my kid was last time' - but I also know that I wasn't there - just trying to give the benefit of the doubt to them. And some of the looks you got when your daughter was screaming could've been sympathetic or people just trying to see what was going on. I know many times people do understand but don't know what to say or do....and also people aren't as receptive to having someone help or say anything. It's sad, really...since that just turns people away from doing anything!

I wouldn't worry about this incident - but definitely keep it in mind when another mommy is in your shoes, it's good to not make any other feel the way you did. I'm sorry that things went that stressful. You sound like a great mommy who just had one heck of a rough day out.