Silly Things People Say

I didn’t want to do a negative posting on Good Friday, but, darn it — this just called to me to share.

The boys had to go to the doctor this morning for a medication recheck. Then, we went to McDonalds (wow — talk about temptation — I had to watch everyone, including my own kids, eating while I just sat there fasting!). We had to get lunch before I took the boys to school, since it was past lunch time (well — and Jack eats lunch before he goes to school anyway).

So, it had already been a long morning by the time we were finally there. I had to get everyone ready to go to the doctor, then he was running about 30 minutes behind (which is not usual for him at all), and then we had to be at the doctor’s appointment once he came in. So, Molly was probably not so patient. It’s hard to be two years old, darn it. While we were at McDonalds, she was crying (many times) because she wanted to hold the chocolate milk jug. Knowing her, I knew I had to be the one to hold it for her. And, then she was mad. I tried to play it off, because, really…there wasn’t anything I could do. I calmed her down several times, but then she would always get mad about it again.

Then, an older woman talked to me. She seemed to sympathize and said, “Oh, looks like someone is tired.” I explained that she was just mad because she wanted to hold the chocolate milk herself. Just moments later, as she was walking by to do something she said, “You know, I’ve always said — a cranky baby is a tired baby, if I were you, I would have left her at home.”

Ummm….what??? I didn’t even know what to say, and she didn’t give me time to say anything even if I had thought of it, as she then quickly walked past as I tried to process what she had said.

So, I must say now:

Dear Older Woman at McDonalds today:

Thank you so much for pointing out that my daughter was making your time at McDonald less enjoyable. Although I was trying to calm her down and make accomidations for her, as you saw since you kept looking at us, maybe you are right, perhaps I should have left her at home. Granted, I suspect the police would then promptly come take her away from me, since it’s not like anyone was at home to take care of her. I hope that your piece of unsollicted advice made you feel better, because it just managed to irk the woman who was smelling fries and couldn’t eat a single one and didn’t stop my daughter’s crying at all (which, perhaps you didn’t notice, was not as loud as some of the other kids who were climbing around on half walls and booths). Thanks for making my morning even better with your kindness.

Signed,

The hungry Mom with the crying two year old

P.S. It was a full two hours before my daughter’s nap time, so it had nothing to do with her being tired. However, if you would like to meet us at the same McDonalds tomorrow around 2 pm, perhaps you can actually witness a tired Molly in action.

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