Kenny and I were at Saluda Shoals one day for the water play area they have there and it gives me a great chance to people watch. I love the overly loud people who make their business everyone else's business, or the parents that get all dramatic as if they're putting on a show. Since I can practically hear Kenny no matter where he is in the area given the fact that he screams like a banshee out of excitement, I can divulge a little bit and just let my eyes wander to the different people around. That's when I noticed a little boy crying whose was maybe 1 1/2. He was sitting all by himself on one of the benches and was completely adorable. I had been there long enough to know which kid went where so I noticed his family sitting on one of the picnic tables not far from him. But it was far enough away that at first glance you wondered if he had been left or something. My first instinct was to go up to him and squeeze his little fat cheeks and ask him what was wrong. He was soo pitiful it make my heart hurt for him. But I quickly realized what had happened. He hadn't been forgotten, or was bleeding from any wound. He was in the words dreaded by any child, TIME OUT. He continued to sit for another minute or so and then rejoined his family. Kenny and I had been there for a few hours already so I decided to pack up the stuff and head home. As we came up on the family with the little boy I saw the mother calmly pick up the boy, go back to the bench, where she then placed him down gently before returning to her seat. More crying ensued....from the boy not the mother :). Any mother can relate to this kind of moment, and she did it with such grace and ease it was reassuring. But then I realized I had almost made the mistake that so many of us make when we see a cute little child crying. We do that pouty face and go " awww it's otay you poor wittle thing!!" and look at the mother and say something like " Somebody must be ready for a nap!" When in reality the child just drew blood by biting his brother. I can't tell you how many times I've been out somewhere and Kenny will start whining about something, like not getting the toy he wanted. Before I can begin to correct him here comes the woman behind us " Ooh isn't he soo precious! Aww what's the matter darlin? Looks like someones pretty sleepy!" to which I reply through smiling, clenched teeth " No ma'am he's just fussing for something." " Aww poor baby! Mommy didn't get you a toy?" THAT right there people is called butting into someone elses business. She just thought she was talking to a sad, sweet little boy and wanted to make him smile. I don't have a problem with that normally. All I'm asking for is people to be aware of the death look that Mommy's give their children. Because it's all about timing people, you see " The Look" and see the child throwing a fit, don't open you're mouth. I understand that seeing that innocent little face all scrunched up in a pout just makes you want to conquer the world for that child just to see them smile. But if you don't know the reason why they're pouting, stay awaaay!! It's really none of your business anyways! And besides,you don't know if the mother is on the brink of insanity or not, because if you say something like this " Aww he is too cute to be cryin like that!" you could get this " YOU WANT HIM?" ( I actually said that before). I don't condone this behaviour and I was in no way serious about pawning off my cranky child. But let's try and be more mindful of the fact that every cute little boy or girl we see crying may not need us, the stranger, to interfere for them. Sometimes they just need a good minute or two on a quiet bench. Alone.
Ps. This is probably more of a pet peeve of mine then anything. But I know I can't be the only mother out there to be frustrated at the people that come up and try to solve your child's problem. I dont' care if they have good intentions. It's annoying. END RANT.
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