As a child, I think I was pretty passive in social situations. As I've become an adult, a teacher, and now a mom, this has changed. I'm not afraid to speak up and say something if it needs to be said...especially when it comes to someone hurting Jonah. So, yes, today I was THAT mom. The one who doesn't sit back and ignore a stranger's child when they are doing something that could potentially hurt themselves, or even worse, Jonah. So here are the details: A bigger kid (too big to be in the toddler playground) was running around in a very carefree and high speed manner (ok, so he was WILD). He was climbing on top of things...the very top and jumping down...landing very closely to Jonah and some other toddlers. All of the moms who were paying attention to their children were looking around and wondering "Why isn't this kid's mom doing anything?" After several times of watching him almost fall and hurt himself, the teacher in me came out....I walked myself over to him and very nicely told him I was afraid he might fall and get hurt and he needed to get down.....Apparently his mother saw me and was offended that some stranger would "reprimand" her precious son. She then proceeded to badmouth me for the next 10 minutes to her friend from only a few feet away. She never said anything to me, but I could feel my blood starting to boil. I didn't say anything, but I sure wanted to. But yeah, I was THAT mom today...the one who reprimands other people's children because I'm overprotective of my own child...and proud of it!
I am THAT mom...
The first playdate was such a success that my friend Krista and I decided to take the kids to the toddler playground at the mall and eat a little Chick-fil-a lunch. So off we went, and the kids had a blast! Jonah was feeling especially brave today and headed straight for the slide. Instead of sitting at the top waiting for me to hold his hand, Jonah went down on his belly head first! He laughed at the bottom, got up and did it again. Jonah had a blast! He's definitely a daredevil.
Amanda@Imperfectly Beautiful
Sunday 8th of February 2009
I went to Dollar Tree today and bought 12 more plaques...I have a problem!
Dragon's Dolphin
Thursday 5th of February 2009
Congratulations! I am SOOOO Glad that you were THAT mom! I am usually THAT mom—is it the protectiveness as a parent or the teacher in us? There are far too many moms that think that their child is fine when those others of us see the possibility of him hurting himself or others. Ok the child was larger—and yes he still might have been “technically” a toddler; therefore the mom thinking it was fine for her son to play as well. But she SHOULD have seen that he was endangering the other children and himself. However, you are a MUCH better person than I. I’m afraid I would not have been able to keep my mouth shut as she continued to bad mouth the person that protected her son and others! ~Shelly~
Loftonhouse
Wednesday 4th of February 2009
Good for you. Everyone wants to do that, but we are too afraid. Someone has to watch out for children. You did the world a great service. I wish I had the guts to do what you did. The mom will get over it, and maybe she'll learn a very important lesson--Be responsible for your child. By the way, you always have permission to reprimand my children. It takes a village...