i get looks. lots of them.
but wait…before you think i am running around scantily clad or driving a pimped out ride, let me explain the real reason i am turning heads.
it's no secret that i have active, spirited, busy, inquisitive (and all those other nice adjectives used to describe at times unruly) children. notice i do say "at times" because there are moments when they really are angelic but 9.99 times out of 10 when i am out in public, it is nothing short of a chaotic circus. and somehow lately it's been kicked up a notch. perhaps it's because i'm obviously large with child and struggle a little more to keep it together.
and that's how i get the looks. you know the kind when your child is screaming uncontrollably, writhing in agony, throwing himself every which way in your arms while holding on firmly to a chunk of your hair (or maybe you don't. but you can imagine this happening to me today just for fun).
and you might also know the kind of looks you get when you are in a doctor's office and one child is rolling on the floor yelling and banging his head against it because he doesn't want to wear shoes while another is holding her crotch and shouting to the world that she has to go pee (or maybe you don't. but you can also imagine this happening to me today just for fun).
i could go on and on with the numerous incidents i've had in the last while where the looks have flowed freely in my direction. and even one time when a kind woman approached me and asked if my inconsolable son would like to see her daughter sitting quietly belted into the shopping cart because that might help him do the same. yeah, that worked like a charm. 😉
normally i find myself seeing every look and conjuring up what that person is thinking about me. usually i imagine something cruel and demeaning like "poor woman can't control her kids and here she is having another." immediately i want to crawl into a corner and suck my thumb. by the time i have made it out of the store i'm physically and emotionally beaten to a pulp.
today, however, marked a turning point for me. it was a fist-pumping moment. i knew the looks would come. i saw them. i acknowledged them with a smile. and instead of letting my mind get the best of me, i walked on and sang a little tune.
victorious!
photos by tara w.
8 Comments
Good for you. who cares what anyone else thinks!
and for the record, my daughter had fits in public until age:7 so I totally get it. You can’t control spirited children’s little personalities! let them shine!
tara
Good for you! I feel for you. I know it all to well.
I get the looks even during the seldom times my children are good (just because I’ve got 5-6 little monkeys trailing behind me). Those looks are fun too!
I feel your pain sister! But you’ve got the right attitude! Smile and when you can’t beat ’em (the kids) join ’em! ha!
way to go! (ahem, now could you teach me how to do that?)
Oh I have so been there with my four children. I got every word you said… You are great Cherie. Keep on smiling!
thanks all…i know i’ll look back on these times and laugh! someday!
i understand all too well! you would think here in utah i wouldn’t get the “look” as often as i do. but don’t be mistaken! also it is rare that i venture out with all four….but today i did. it was out of control! we just went for lunch at subway, harmless right….WRONG!! but i too decided i needed to care less what everyone else was thinking and saying, and just focus on my kids and that we were “trying” to have fun together. it was exhausting. i came home and turned on cartoons for the older two, nap for the one year old, and nursed the baby until we both feel asleep. it WAS a good day! love your video. kade and i were watching it and really missing you guys! what an amazing family you are! we love you!
My goodness, reading your story is like listening to one of my stories about my kids. I only have two boys, but can I say sometimes it feels like 4. Oh yes!!! I too get the looks. I even have a neighbour on the street that thinks they are not fit to be played with. My boys have a zest for life. Sitting and looking at the toys is just not enough and seriously I don’t blame them one bit. There are days when I do wish they were a little more calm, but then I remind myself that I do not have little robots that can have their emotions turned on and off. So, thank you whole heartedly for your story I loved it and isn’t it just so rewarding not to let those “looks” defeat you!!!!!!!!!