Unpleasant behavior

This morning as I was using a stick to scoop Boo's poop onto a piece of paper I'd found in the trash at Greenlake (note to self: always remember to carry extra bags), I thought about the two Grey-haired women who'd just raised their eyebrows at me while I was leafing through the trash and wondered what they were thinking.  Did I look like someone searching for their next meal?  Or perhaps one of those dumpster divers they'd read about?  A recycling scavenger?  Or maybe they saw my dog, glanced at the pile of fresh, steaming excrement a few yards away, and put two and two together.  The fact of the matter is that you just never know what another persons situation is. 

Being the parent of a spirited daughter has helped me to become a much less judgmental person.   When your child has no qualms about having tantrums or being demanding in public, you get the looks.  Usually downward glances and always without a smile.  You never know if people are feeling for you or if they're thinking what a horrible parent you must be.  They don't know that you're giving it everything you've got to be a good parent, how many nights you've stayed up because your child is a challenged sleeper, or that you're just doing the best you can given the circumstances. 

A few weeks ago I was watching Oprah and the topic that day was overindulged children.  Oprah said that when you see a child having a tantrum in the grocery store, you always know it's the parents and not the child.  Snap!  A very  presumptuous statement coming from someone who isn't a parent, in my opinion.  There are different temperaments, Oprah, and some children are just harder than others.  And yes, I'm getting defensive because I have one of those children! 

When I see kids acting out in a grocery store or restaurant, I don't judge.  I give the parents some sympathy and a smile, because I know it ain't easy.

Comments

[Hsien Lei]

I'm with you! I'm sure I was like Oprah before I had my son but now I'm so much more understanding. I hope I never forget that children have their own personalities and make their own choices about whether to throw a tantrum or not. It's not like they have an off switch somewhere we can flip. Too bad, huh? ;)