Kathy said around cocktail hour on February 18, 2008
I’ve not had many experiences that warrant rage when it comes to interacting with other children’s parents. Until today. I took Reilly to a hair cut place nearby to get his hair cleaned up. I went in and asked if an appointment was needed and I was assured that “No, I did not need one and we’ll be right with you.” Long story short, 30 minutes later I was still sitting there trying to keep a 2 year old calm and trying to avoid a meltdown where he’d squeal really loudly and then run amok in the salon. So I grabbed him, a little more abruptly than I meant to and ran out the front door to let him run on the sidewalk while we waited.
Minutes later the mom who’s two kids were with her (and were maybe 8-10 years old) came out and gave me lip. I assumed - that she assumed - that I was annoyed I had to wait for her kid to be done. Alas, no, I am a patient human being and never ever mind waiting my rightful turn. So my assumption was that she felt I was reacting to her rather than to my exasperation with my toddler. She said something to the effect of “We were here before and they told us to come back… he was almost done.” I replied with a casual smile, “Oh I know, that’s totally fine I was just running out of tricks to keep him busy… he ran out of patience.” To this she said, “Yeah I know all about it… I have THREE KIDS.” in a tone that meant ”You’re an amateur and you don’t know what it’s really like.” She wasn’t sympathizing with me, she said it in that tone. She was clearly annoyed at me for becoming frustrated and leaving the salon.
I realize I only have ONE child, lady, but that bears nothing on the fact that I have a two year old with the patience of a flea while you’re sitting there reading a magazine in peace. Probably a misunderstanding but it bugged me the rest of the day. Hmph. So to that lady: Your kids’ hair looked stupid.
Ok I feel better now.
from Cleveland, OH
Cocktail: White Russian
What do you want to bet she’s one of those twats who would allow her kids to run free and annoy the shit out of all other patrons wherever she may be? Instead, awesome as you are, you took the Reilly-Monster outside to he could meltdown and only annoy you.
I understand sometimes it isn’t possible to have “private” public meltdowns, but if you’re in a theater, watching the new Halloween movie with a not-even-5-year-old, take him out of the theater when he starts shrieking.
from your moms.
She sounds like one of those people who, if they realize that their indignation was unwarranted, will hang onto that bone simply out of momentum because they can’t admit to themselves that maybe they made a mistake.
You should have punched her in the vagina. I hear that’s all the rage. (Geddit? All the rage?)
from your moms.
You were so much kinder to her then I would have been.
from your moms.
Definitely much nicer than I would have been. I love that her assumption was that it was all about her...says a lot. I have less patience than my two old when it comes to one-upper, self-righteous parents. Bring it.
from San Diego, CA
Cocktail: Slighty dirty Grey Goose Martini
Kick her in the box.
from Florida
She deserved a nice big “STFU!”
from Utah
LOL. This is funny stuff. This kinda hit home for me. Here in Utah, most women are like this. I get to meet these types all the time at my salon. I’m very quick to put them in their place. You go girl.