I hate shopping for groceries, but I love the day after when the cupboards and fridge open happily to share their guarded bounty.Since Annabelle's birth Josh has been a dear and has done much of the foraging for food, or has come with us to help. But I'm starting to get back into the swing of a normal schedule.
When I do go out with my three tots, I hear comments like, "Whoa, you really have your hands full" (not a bad one.) Or, "Well, do you think three is enough?" (can you believe it?) I don't know what makes people feel like making comments like these. Maybe they think they are being cute, or that they really need to say something to make me come to my senses, but if they say this to a mom with three very well behaved mini shoppers, what in the world do they say to the poor frazzled mom with three less than helpful small people in tow? (Sorry about that sentence. Don't try to diagram it.)
Have you ever made a similar comment to a shopping mom with kids? I'm trying to think, and I'm afraid I may have. But I'm sure she had at least 4 helpers. And I'm sure if I had made a similar comment, I was trying to be encouraging. But I will be more careful of what I say in the future.
4 comments:
Haha. I love big families. I try to be encouraging too, but sometimes I think I come across wrong. I was talking with a lady at the wave pool about 2 weeks ago. I asked her if all 3 of the girls with her were her's. They were. They were 2,3,& 4. All I could come out with was "Wow". Haha. I hope she wasn't offended, but I didn't really know what to say. We continued to talk for a bit, so if she was offended she didn't show it. Her daughters were little angels.
Ok, looking back I may have sounded too harsh. I really wasn't that offended. Just surprised by the comments of strangers. I get plenty of wonderful, praising comments too.
I've received many jaw-dropping comments when I take my four lovely little ones on outtings, including:
"Do you have a daycare?" My response, "No." Walk on.
"OMG, you have your hands full!" My response, "Better full than empty! They are such blessings to me." (They couldn't agree more.)
"Are these all yours?" My out loud response, "Of course." My inner voice, "No, I rounded up all these kids from my neighborhood just to make my shopping trip that much more adventurous. Doesn't everyone want to take two toddlers and two rowdy boys to the grocery store, while juggling fliers, coupons, and lists??"
Once, regarding our daughter Lily: "Where's she from?" My response, "Dowagiac. Where are you from?" They continue, "No, I mean is she adopted?" My repsonse, in a kindly tone, as I look for an escape, "Why do you ask? Are you interested in adoption?" Then, she has a story about someone she knows who has adopted and I should look her up because we must have so much in common; meanwhile, Lily hides her face, because she know's we're talking about her and feels uncomfortable. (Most people are genuinely kind and interested in adoption, but many are nosy, like Lily is an exhibit. That's when the mother bear roars her ugly head.)
I'm nice to them, really I am, even the ones who speak out of complete ignorance!
Jody
Jody, so wonderful to hear (read) your voice! I laughed out loud to hear your well worded responses. I'll have to remember some of them ;)
When we have Mason, or Madie and I go out I get lots more looks and comments.
Last night I was watching TLC and a program about a family with 13 kids and looking forward to more. It was very positive and up beat and the family was not made to look freakish. I thought it was very refreshing in today's world of 1.2 kids.
Thanks for leaving a comment!
I love you
Post a Comment