(I’ve been asked to reprint two blogs so here’s the first)
Please, stop being mean to your kids in public. I don’t care if you’re a redneck in Wal-Mart or picking up an espresso in Starbucks. You look and sound like a witch when you are rude or snarky to your own kids in public.
they are kids, they are supposed to ask a lot of bizarre questions, fidget and touch stuff. (Once Mary’s dad said, “stop touching all the buildings”, so, who sounded like an ass, Mary or Mary’s dad?
Seriously, do you think anyone wants to invite you over for a beer or a spin class when you treat your child with absolute disdain in public? Do you think the cute guy with tight little sideburns wants to spend any time with a woman who is mean to her kids. Here’s what he’s thinking, ‘if she’s mean to her kids she’ll probably be mean to me too”.
And consider this, when you are mean, tense, snarky or short with your child, I’m pretty sure, you look about ten years older than you are. It’s true.
If you have teenagers, don’t be the lazy ass parent who never wants to drive the kids anywhere. It’s not fair to your teenager and it’s not fair to the other parents. Ok, you’re gonna miss the rerun of CSI if you take three girls to the bowling ally. So what? Get off the freaking couch and deal with it so your kids not ashamed by your selfishness.
Don’t yell at them, don’t roll your eyes and hiss at them, don’t swat them on the back of the head or I’m going to become part of the situation.
Ok, so you’re busy texting and talking and trying to decide what shade of hose you really need. Yeah, that stuffs pretty important, but don’t act like a spoiled thirteen year old when your child interrupts because he really has to go to the bathroom.
Smile, for God’s sake. He needs you. And don’t make the “I’m such a martyr” sigh, The one you make so all the world knows you are overworked and exhausted. Lot’s of moms seem to specialize in that noise. Cut it out.
Don’t spank a crying child and expect him to stop crying. She’s going to cry more if you hurt her. And again, you’re making your self look bad and everyone standing close to you is thinking that poor kid has such horrible, mean, stupid parents.
And finally, if your child wants to hold hands, don’t grab them by the wrist. People who do that are ignorant morons. Hold that little hand.
So, it’s your choice, you can be nice to your children and look like a cool mom or you can be a bitch and everyone will recognize you for exactly what you are.
So true… i have blogged about this myself 🙂