Dear pretty woman at the pool today,

Dear pretty woman at the pool today,

Your daughter was so cute in her bow and swimming suit. (Why do moms put bows in their daughter's hair when they are in the pool...I just really don't get this?)I'm glad that I complimented your daughter's swimming ability at such a young age before my own sweet and precious joy pushed her and made her cry.

I just wanted to write you a letter for future reference. You may want to hang onto this one for the years to come if you have more children and they don't turn out like your very quiet and obedient daughter now.

I too was you...alright it was about nine years ago but I was there! I had a quiet son who wouldn't walk three steps from my side. He was a timid little thing. But that is all I knew and so I thought he was normal...well, I thought that everyone else's child was crazy. =)

I too like yourself looked at the other mother, whose child did something to make my own cry, with horror and shock. "That must be a horrible mother right there. How could she raise such a young child to hit and scream at other children."

I now know what it is like to be on the other side of the mommy odometer. The side marked "bad mother" or "mother of bad child"; so I plead with you to not judge us poor helpless souls.

I have learned that sometimes there is something so powerful in our children that no manner of discipline or love can stop it; this "enemy" I'll call it, otherwise known as genes by the scientific community, or perhaps "birth order" by the sociology community, has a mind of its own. There we stand as mothers who truly, though you may think otherwise, do not want our children to scream at or push or steal toys from your innocent offspring. We stand in shock as our child terrifies the children around them while simultaneously putting us on the witness stand in front of the panel of judges - you other "good mothers" staring at us; all asking "HOW? HOW could you allow your child to become like this?" It is of no use to try and explain. There is no explanation to be given. The embarrassment our, outgoing, energetic, personable, maybe a little reaction seeking, okay let's say attention thriving, oh and there is the strong willed in there too, child brings upon us in public is punishment enough.

So to you young mother I write this in hopes that you will learn from my lesson. Do not judge another mother for what their child is doing, even if it is a painful act set upon your own, because that mother (not in all cases I understand) is probably trying her best to reign in the 'energy' and 'spunk' and 'spirit' of her young tyrant. Love her despite her child...I plead with you.

Sincerely,

The humble and apologetic mother of that said child who caused your little one to cry today at the pool.

P.S. I hope to see you again soon!