Well, the day has come where I have turned into "that mom"..... you know the one... let me explain.... while walking home from school today there was a group of girls probably about 4th or 5th grade hanging around on the school property. They started walking down the hill in front of us and were obviously trying to impress some boys behind us. One girl turned to a boy and loudly yelled " you are such an A******!" Before I knew it out of my mouth sprang this fountain of mom speak! The girl was quite shocked, and to be quite honest so was I! When did it become my job to discipline other kids?! I really try hard not to be that kind of mom but geesh! I just snapped! After I told her to watch her language and that there were smaller kids around and that she should be a better example than that.... my girls asked the oh so obvious question... "what did she say?" and when I didn't respond... they were trying to figure out what the word was ( thankfully they didn't figure it out although they came quite close a few times...haha!) So this is my deep burning question of the moment.... Is it helpful to reprimand kids when their parents aren't around and they truly probably don't know better ( so I should feel sorry for them)... or is it better to say something in order to shield you kids from that kind of stuff? I'm pretty sure that I was out of bounds.. and judging by the look on the girl's face it made some sort of "impression"- probably earned me the title of" the stroller biddy"... I guess I'm just getting old!
The walk home was quite eventful today even after that! We also saw "teen-age- mutant love" at the public bus stop.... My girls just stared and stared then Hannah said" Geesh mom they are kissing a lot!" I said "yes, I see that. Do you think that's something you are going to do when your a teenager?" She said " No way mom! I might not even get married!".... geesh... could she be getting this type of over-reacting from a genetic level? hhhmmm
If only I could live in a bubble that never popped! I know this sounds ironic since in my last post I told of all the crazy things I've done in my youth... ( not really that bad).....and the type of music I like etc. etc. but my kids are really pretty sheltered ( besides an occasional power ballad)- haha.
Ok, done venting.. but am I wrong?
7 comments:
The way I see it, your job is your girls. Yes you are to train them, but you are also to protect them. And, I'll bet that little chickie didn't (and maybe won't again if she recognizes you) use that language again while you were there. You know I remember reading/seeing/hearing something about a kid who wouldn't do bad things when he was a kid because raising kids was a "community" effort and he knew that a neighbor/teacher/second cousin to the pope would "rat him out". That girl may not have realized that her language is inappropriate, but maybe she needs to. Whatever happened to "respect your elders" (no offense) and a general healthy fear of adults? Seriously, come on. Okay, I'm done.
Your girls will probably look grown up before their brains catch up. A long time ago, Brigetta was 11 or 12 and on the beach a ways ahead of me. Two grown men saw her "behind" and her legs,and gave out 2 wolf whistles. Brigetta, of course was oblivious, and suddenly she turned to face us all and came running, and yelled, "Mommie!! Look at this shell!". The 2 guys burst out laughing, slapped each other on the butt, and kept on going. It was a good laugh.
So, you've only just begun. Good luck!! ps. I've had to do the "potty-mouth" routine to some kids. It embarasses them, and that's good.
uhg! I was "that Mom" the other day at the park. There were two boys who were total punks rippin through the playground chucking bark chips at each other with force and I had to be "that Mom" to say they needed to stay away from the little kids. I got a couple nasty looks. I think you were totally in the right (lame as it feels) because you are showing your girls the right way to behave and that some behavior is inappropriate for public. So way to go Super Mom-you rock (power ballads but you rock!) :)
Deb, your right on! I'm not one to let those types of things go either. Especially when my kiddos are present. Not sure if it would be easier having older kids rather than my little repeat parrots but none the less, your kiddos are most definitely your concern and you addressed the issue. It certainly made an impression on all the kids, including yours. "Man, don't talk crazy around that mom!" :) I'm still looking for that bubble. Let me know if you find one. Maybe we can get a group rate. Geesh..some peoples' kids. :)
Good lesson for all...the mama bear comes out in us, huh? Those girls will remember you and your message. Your kids didn't seem ruffled...since they didn't know what was happening you've taught them well. Happy traveling...there is a pot of gold at the end of the road. Love, Mom
Right on! Kids' parents can't be with them everywhere they go, and when they misbehave, it's okay to pull the Mom card. You did her a favor. What potty-mouth girl is attractive to any decent guy? She needed some boundaries, for her own sake, as well as for my precious granddaughters. Keep up the good work. Granny
I'm that mom a lot and I am proud of it! I will do anything in my power to keep my girls from being the type that end up at a Children's Home like I work for...parenting is the key. So I say, GO DEBBIE! At least I know Hannah, Haley and Hope will never end up living here :)
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