Alexander Residence: On having your parenting criticised in public

Friday 25 February 2011

On having your parenting criticised in public

Dear receptionist at the gym where we are not, and never will be members

If you must open the electronic barrier on my 2 yo son's head please have the courtesy not to tell me how to be a better parent at the same time.

No, it wasn't a good idea to climb under it to rescue the toy he had just dropped, but neither was it a good idea to open the barrier without looking and then have a go at me.

That's the first time I have ever lost it with someone for criticising my parenting. In fact I don't believe anyone has ever criticised my parenting in public before. Most people cut parents of small people a
bit of slack.

I was going to complain to the manager but you're not worth it, and neither is your gym.

He's fine now, thanks for asking.

Yours
The Mum who lost her temper with you on Tuesday.

Dear Reader

Sorry, I rarely rant, but I needed that. Do you have a Dear So and So?
Link up at 3 bedroom bungalow.

Yours
Me

Labels: parenting, rant, temper

12 Comments:

At 25 February 2011 at 07:58 , MmeLindt said...: I can still remember the rage I felt at a guy who shouted at me when my son was just a baby - that was 6 years ago.

My daughter had ran out of the shop, through the revolving door. I was pushing a pram and just not quick enough to stop her bolting. Instead of grabbing my daughter to stop her running out onto the road, the idiot ranted at me for not taking care of my child. I believe that I snapped something nasty in return, then went to the car and cried.

Being the parent of a boisterous toddler is hard enough without the added pressure from others. Don't let it get to you.
At 25 February 2011 at 08:45 , Anonymous said...: It constantly amazes me how some people think they are so blazingly perfect that they can comment on someone else's parenting in public. Idiot woman.
At 25 February 2011 at 14:50 , SLM said...: I had a man tell me off the other day as my 4 year old ran past a crossing and pressed the button. Its not like he was about to blow London up or anything, p[lus it was at the main traffic lights so the traffic stops regardless of the button being pressed. I was fuming as he had a right go at me for not controlling him. He is 4 for gods sake. I was too dumbfounded to respond to tell the truth.

People are so rude, and have no right to criticise a parent. You could be the most tolerant and patient parent in the world, but even these parents will have the odd occassion where they snap, and its normally one of these that a perfect stranger choses to pick on, they have no idea what kind of day you have had, personal circumstances or anything. Guuurrrhhhh! Good for you for getting cross with her at the time x
At 25 February 2011 at 17:16 , Anonymous said...: Oh what a rude cow! Hope she pulls something next time she uses the blinking gym!
At 25 February 2011 at 18:29 , Unknown said...: I will always remember the jackass who told me off for letting my son pee in the bushes at a playground. No, not my best parenting moment for sure. But here we are at a playground with a toilet-training little guy and the bathrooms are locked. The church next door is locked. The restuarant across the street is way too far to make it in time.
So I find some discreet bushes and let him pee. Meanwhile, the discreet bushes back onto a parking lot for the locked church with one seemingly-empty car in it. But as soon as my son pulls up his pants, buddy calls out from the car "excuse me, do you really think it's a good idea to let your son pee in public like that." I explain, he remains rude so I respond "what the heck are you doing parked in that car watching the playground anyway. I think I'll call the police and tell them you were looking at my son's penis."
That shut him up and he drove off right quick! Now whenever my husband I see another parent doing something questionable in public we smile at each other and say (to each other) "excuse me, do you think you should be letting your son....." Hope you can laugh about the bitchy gym lady soon too.
At 25 February 2011 at 22:39 , MichelleTwinMum said...: Glad you got that out. She obvioulsy did not have kids! Mich x
At 26 February 2011 at 09:36 , Carrie said...: OH, I am all mad for you! I'll call the manager.
At 26 February 2011 at 20:17 , SLM said...: By the way, I have a giveaway on my blog at the moment which is for tesco shopping vouchers, so please leave a message on my blog to take part, the more the merrier!
At 27 February 2011 at 18:01 , Jen Walshaw said...: I can so understand this, no one has the right to judge, I had added this to my no need for the Sunday Papers Post
At 28 February 2011 at 10:00 , Penny P.S. and A Residence said...: Thanks for the support, sometimes being a parent of a two year old is so tough. I never know what they he is going to do next, and then the four year old goes in the opposite direction...but that unpredictability is what makes kids so wonderful.
Mme Lindt, SuperlittleMen and Readliy a Parent- thanks for sharing your stories, makes me feel much better. Sadly I think we all have one of these tales to tell.
Mum in the mad house thank you so much for including me, I am honoureD X
Right off to try and win superlittlmen's comp!
At 1 March 2011 at 13:21 , Metropolitan Mum said...: I feel like ever since I had that bump, people took the liberty to comment, criticise or touch (eek!). Pregnancy, breastfeeding, parenting... you are a running target as a mother.
At 1 March 2011 at 22:43 , Penny P.S. and A Residence said...: Metropolitan Mum,'running target' I like that a lot :)

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Alexander Residence

Friday 25 February 2011

On having your parenting criticised in public

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