Wednesday, February 17, 2010

An Unpleasant Encounter at the Laundermat

So I was doing laundry today and Carlee, who is sick, was sleeping in the stroller for most of the time. While the cloths were drying she woke up and so I gave her some snacks and then she fussed a bit while I was trying to get the cloths put into the cart and get out of there (same story as always). Only this time, this lady standing a few dryers down starts talking to Carlee and this is what she says in baby talk tone as she walks closer to us: "hey there, you don't look very happy, what's the matter? Does your mom not talk to you? You look neglected, are you neglected? Are you going to talk to me? Go ahead, tell me." Or something similar. I was like thinking in my head, excuse me!!!! What did you just say??? But she walked away. I sat there and fumed and felt that my heart was hurt by her cruel words. I started to second guess myself as a mother and took a long look at Carlee who was now crying. Paranoid of this ladies judgments wondering if she is going to call Child Services or something, I pick Carlee up and proceed to shove the rest of the cloths in the cart with one hand while I work up the courage to say something to her. On my way out the door I stop by her chair where she is reading and say with much emotion, almost in tears: "Excuse me, I'll have you know what you said to my daughter was very rude and it really hurt me. I work very hard at being a good mom..." She sits forward in her chair, totally alarmed and asks me innocently, "What? What did I say?" I respond confused: "You said I don't talk to her and that she looks neglected." She responds, in shock: "Oh, honey I didn't mean it like that. She is beautiful; look at her. I would never say something like that...I said that only because you were busy doing laundry. Believe me, I know, I have kids." So, at that point I feel dumb. So I say, "Well, good, I am glad I talked to you." She responded the same and we both apologized. There were two other people close by to over hear the conversation. I can think of a few different ways she could have said what she did to Carlee that would have made it come out like she meant it to...

9 comments:

Monson Family said...

Aww! I wish I was as courageous as you and actually said something back! The last time a lady said something that hurt my feelings I just told her I didn't want to hear it. haha. That probably made me look like an even worse mother!

Unknown said...

I get annoyed with some of the things people say to my son sometimes unless they are just saying how cute he is. I can tell that you are a great mom and I think you handled the situation really well.

Emily said...

It's good that you said something to her. I probably would have been too scared to say anything, and kept worrying about it.

I hear that as a mom you get all sorts of unwanted advice and comments. It must be hard to ignore it all and just do what you feel is right. But, you're blessed to have the Holy Ghost to guide you in all that you do, so I don't think you should ever worry too much what others say!

Lulu said...

BRAVO!! I'm so glad you stood up to her! I would have done the same thing.
Ur an awesome mom, and NEVER second guess yourself just because someone doesn't have the social skill to convey what they really mean. ;)

Suspension Bridges said...

You are hilarious I probably would have just fumed about it all day and told Justin. Good for you having the guts to talk to her.

Suspension Bridges said...

You are hilarious I probably would have just fumed about it all day and told Justin. Good for you having the guts to talk to her.

Doug & Deb said...

GO MAMA!

NatureGirl said...

I can also see how that encounter might have gone differently if you had not been so polite and sincere in talking to her about it. Well done, Mommy, well done!

Kellie Glade said...

Oh sweet Julee,
This post shows that you are a real mom :) I would have thought and done the same exact thing. I'm not one to just take things in, so I'm glad you said something so you could put your mind at ease. You are a great mother and don't let anything or anyone tell you otherwise. It is an amazing calling we have!!!