And so the comments that people should keep to themselves continue...enjoy reading Round #2!
And she strikes again! The neighbor (Round #1) chased me down again for another round of comments that could have easily been kept to herself. Now, imagine tone during this story, because it could easily be swayed another direction. The tone is one of criticism for those working outside the home during the child-rearing years.
Neighbor: Hi, Hi, are you the one who lives next door? (Yes, remember, you think I'm fat?)
Me: Yes, that's me.
Neighbor: Oh, and your little one! Now did you have a little boy? (Yes, I always put pink flowered shirts and pony tails into my boys hair, don't you?)
Me: No, a girl; this is Olivia (Hmm...didn't we just have this conversation a couple months ago?
(I'll skip the pleasantries about us having another baby)
Neighbor: Well, does Olivia ever get to see her grnadparents? (meaning Ryan's parents)
Me: Yes, in fact she's spending a few days up there this week because I don't have daycare.
(Now' here's where tone is important...)
Neighbor: Oh, you send her to daycare? (Eyebrows raised, mouth in a frown, critical tone)
Me: Yes.
Neighbor: Oh, so you work? (Repeat from before)
Me: Yes (I'll spare you the details of my work), I work part-time.
Neighbor: I see. So will you have a career??
I'm spent with that conversation....
#2: At church...again tone and gaze are important here.
Fellow church member comes up to me STARING at my belly
Her: Are you sure there's only one in there?
Me: Yes.
Her: ARE YOU SURE? STARING at my belly
Me: Yes. We had our ultrasound today. There's only ONE. Thank you.
#3: Crazy lady at the store
My mom and I took olivia shopping last week for new fall clothes and some maternity clothes for myself. At the MOA maternity store one of the clerks got WAY too friendly with Olivia. Who, to make matters worse, had not naped all day and was very tired. The clerk started with friendly small talk, which is typical. THEN, she took Olivia's nukie! Pulled it right out of her mouth!! Seriously, do you know no boundaries lately? Olivia handled it pretty well and even managed a smile for her. We continued our shopping around the store and during checkout she came back again. Came up to Olivia who was fussing (remember, no nap, and this was probably about 3:30 pm), and took her nukie AGAIN! This time Olivia wasn't too happy about it. I just couldn't believe it. Luckily, we were done at the store and could just leave.
SERIOUSLY people!
7 comments:
Sometimes the Karmelites can be quite harsh! :) Hope it wasn't my mother or something...
Oh, my goodness!!! First of all, I think we should have a brainstorming session to create a million generic "comebacks" for all of these obnoxious comments you get. The kind of comebacks that make the other person shrivel in shame. Like maybe a fib about your financial situation, "Yes, I do have to work part time. We were on welfare and visiting the food pantry for awhile and decided it was better for us if I could work."
(I am placing no judgments on welfare or the food pantry, I'm using them as fibs to make someone feel guilty for judging you!!!)
"Only one in there?" "Yes, only one baby, but the ultrasound did show three legs and a tail. We're considering having those removed." Come on, Ehlan, Ryan could help you with these! :)
And about crazy lady at MOA, I am not fibbing, I had the exact same experience in a store one time at the MOA when Annika was young. It was so weird and I also remember thinking how strange it was to have a stranger pulling the plug out of my kid's mouth. Maybe in that situation, you can politely gasp and say, "Oh, she has Hand, Foot, Mouth disease right now....very contagious."
I know, right, some people should just smile and walk on bye. I totally get it.
And I'm sorry you feel so sick. I felt the same way with all our girls. Not at all with our boy. Weird, huh? But I remember wanting to sleep or lay down all the time. But you know what? I kind of miss it right now. :( I'm ok though. We're good with 4.
Have a great day!
Tiff
Ehlan,
luckily for all the rude people in the world, you are so nice to them, even though they clearly do not think about what they say. you are a gracious person.
I hope you feel better soon!!!
I think I need to have a little talk with your neighbor. HOW RUDE! Sorry you've had to deal with such inappropriate comments. UGghghh!!
I agree that it's time to start coming up with sassy comebacks. Like, "Yes, I'm only working PT right now, but as soon as I pop out 7 more kids, we think Ryan will be the stay at home dad."
And other greats like, "Well, it's one baby, plus a beach ball, plus whatever Olivia left in there, and the food I ate today, and that strange thing with fangs we saw on the ultrasound...but who knows!"
Good for you for being so nice!
You guys crack me up! Thanks!
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