Tiger Mom
Well, it was probably more like Momma Bear protecting her cubs. Here’s how it all went down.
A couple of weeks ago, Clare had her first soccer practice. The van was a ways down from the park where we met, so it was a nice stroll back. I had Luke in the stroller and the girls were chatting merrily as we made our way back to A/C. There was a group of boys (tweeners, I’m guessing) hanging out on one of the park benches. One was sitting smack dab in the middle of the sidewalk. As we approached, I thought surely he will move, right? RIGHT?!? Nope, I had to manuever around him, off-roading a bit, and C fell off the sidewalk. It was as if the boys never saw us.
Ten steps later that’s when I heard the f-bomb. It wasn’t quiet either. Let me just share that this area is teeming with kids. At least a dozen soccer teams are practicing and it was 6pm in the evening. Y’all, I didn’t even stop and think, “Oh, should I say something?” or “Should I keep going, pretend I didn’t hear?” It was completely, 100% instinctual. I stopped the stroller, turned around and said, “Hey guys, there are small kids in this park, y’all need to watch what you say. Little ears can hear you.”
Insert pin drop and dropped jaws HERE.
They just looked at me like, “Dude, did that lady really just discipline us?” But they were so stunned that I was a good 10 steps away before I heard them let loose on a few more {ahem} “words.” I just kept walking. I’d made my point.
I did, however, come home and tell MY boys if they a) ever were that rude to someone or b) ever uttered those words I would c) find out and cut off their toes. They totally know I would.
Who knows, maybe one day those boys will be parents and they’ll remember the crazy lady with a stroller wasn’t so crazy…
The other day I was leaving the mall with the stroller (none of the bigs were with me to help open the door), and as I wrestled with the stroller and very heavy glass door, two college girls just stopped and watched the whole thing. With no offer or advance to help!! I almost said something and wish that I had but, really???
Gee…I wonder if they even knew those were curse words, or if they were just part and parcel of the language at home. NOTHING shocks me anymore. Nothing. Having a tweener myself, it’s scary. Good for you! It’s time more people stop worrying about being “nosy” or “politically correct” and stand up for at least a modicum of common decency! Why am I not surprised it was you? To borrow a positive slang…You…go…girl!
I would have done the same thing. Apparently those youngsters don’t have anyone in their lives to teach them right from wrong and how to act when they aren’t with their parents…….Glad to see I’m not the only one who makes funny threats like “cutting off toes”…..love it!