Not too long ago we were at a pancake breakfast in a parking lot.
I know, I know.
But, I’ll do anything for some good sausage links.
The pancakes were fantastic, but Baby Bot got obsessed with a Tiger Mascot and would not quit following it around saying “ Maow, Maow, Maow”. The poor kid in the tiger costume could not see Baby Bot and kept stepping on him. Which didn’t bother Baby Bot. But, the poor kid in tiger costume kept thinking Baby Bot was saying “ow” and not “maow”.
By the way, “Maow” is cat in Baby Bot.
Any who….
In this parking lot there were a few puddles. Which was fine until Baby Bot saw the giant puddle of all puddles. The puddle was coloured with beautiful tints of blue, pink and green. An inviting toxic puddle of leaked gasoline.
And he couldn’t control himself.
It was 8:52 in the morning and Baby Bot needed to be in that puddle.
He was a man possessed.
And in my defense, I did try to stop him once. But I was dressed for work and I was wearing my nice work shoes, and I really did NOT want to go in that puddle. So, I let him go in
And go in he did.
He took the damn thing over.
Splashing. Jumping. Singing.
He was having a blast.
I was a little bit horrified. But, really, what was I going to do?
People were staring. Some smiling, some laughing.
Then it started….
“Don’t you even think about doing that!” A Mom yelled at her kids.
Which shocked me. I mean, her kids were not even in the puddle. They were no where near it. And these poor kids were getting yelled at because I was letting Baby Bot play in the puddle. I thought it was a little bit excessive but, I just shook it off.
And then I heard a doozy.
“You are a good Mom.”
Pardon?
“You are a good Mom”, she said again as she was holding her son back from the puddle. Listen, I don’t blame her from doing so. She is the Mom and its totally up to her to decide if she wants her son to play in a toxic puddle.
But, what does that mean?
Was it supposed to be a compliment?
It sure didn’t feel like it.
If I am a good Mom for letting my son play in a (toxic) puddle, then she is not a good Mom for not letting your son do the same thing?
It felt condescending.
It felt mean.
So I just smiled at her.
Then I looked at my beautiful Baby Bot. He was blowing bubbles in the toxic puddle and I knew that at this point I had to do something. So I stepped in, nice work shoes and all, and carried my soaking wet, gas covered baby home.
So there.
I am a good Mom.
Puddles or no puddles.
Now screw off and go judge someone else.
Honestly, I think she DID mean it. She probably was thinking, “I wish I was more in the moment.” “I wish I was THAT mom letting her child play without worry and stress.” I bet she actually meant it as a compliment. I would have said, “HELL YEAH!” and gone in for a high-fiver. Also, a compliment.
You think so? Well, thanks. I just thought she was a giant asshole.
I’m actually busting a gut just visualizing me answering her with a “HELL YEAH!” High Fiver. BAHAHA!
I’m with BadParenting. It’s one of those things I’d WANT to let me kids do, but my OCD nature would prevent. I’d look at you and marvel at your greatness. My parents let me play in tar once. Favorite memory ever. Yet I’m incapable of passing down that same kind of toxic-fun moment. Stupid stupid OCD. And you ARE a great mom (said only with jealousy and a twinge of awe).
Are there any pics of you in the toxic tar? YOU MUST POST THEM!
Oh, I think it was total sarcasm and I agree with the asshole assessment. I do that kind of thing all the time- my favourite is when I get cut off in the car, I give the dickhead the big “thumbs up” instead of the finger. They usually look a little confused, but then they follow it up with sheepishness.
It’s not up to me to judge how people raise their children- I know what I would permit and what I wouldn’t and sometimes, things just don’t work out the way you figure anyway. Example: there is no WAY my puppy is going to run through the muddy puddle. Sure enough, the little fucker is in there (8 out of 10 times), happier than anything, splashing around. So you know what? Ya, it’ll result in a bath and a wet dog and more work for me, but it was worth it to see him happier than a pig in shit. Same thing for us all! I think we could all benefit from a toxic puddle now and then!!
Rueben!
Your first paragraph had me busting a gut! I love it. THAT is SO you!
Um, I want to punch her in the face. Since when is a toxic gas puddle not the definition of having fun and letting loose? Gas washes off anyway. Cripes.
You certainly are a good mom. Cuz a bad mom would have so punched her in the mouth.
I think a good Mom might have punched her too. Thanks!
Okay, here’s my “assessment”…
Woman screams at her kids “Don’t even think about doing that!”
She pauses for a moment and thinks, “Oh crap, that woman is going to think I think she sucks for letting her kids jump in the gasoline/water puddle.”
She decides to save face and tells you that you’re a good mom (yes… you are).
Then she loads her kids up in the car, closes the windows, smokes a pack of cigarettes, gives her kids chocolate bars and chips as their “car treat” and texts her BFF about this parking lot scene while driving 20 over the speed limit… (because she’s a bad mom).
Yup. That’s my assessment. I’m not a certified psychiatrist or anything but I think it’s pretty bang on. What do you think?
Girl you are good. I was right in that minivan with her!
I hate judgey people but I like what Jennifer thought and uh, wrote.