Throw down

I know my kiddos are technically too old to be in the stroller. I know! That said, living in the city, makes 4 and 5 a bit hard. They are big enough to walk...but when we walk...we're talking miles/blocks...and I hustle!

It's a well known fact that I never drive. Depending on where we're going, I weigh how much time I have to get there, how far it is, and what we'll be doing when we get there. Let's face facts...the kiddos have little legs that get tired, and I can't carry/drag them both home. So, yes...we still use the stroller, which looks like it has traveled to Hell and back...twice:/

Friday, we had 20 minutes to make it to the health club for tennis. No brainer-stroller.

I'm buzzing down the street, we're totally on time to make the 10 o'clock court time...the kiddos are being quite...which is a major plus.

Out of nowhere, this woman walks by us, looks down her pruney nose at us, and says "I guess kids don't walk anymore!" Ummm...what!?! Who the Hell asked you lady?!!!

Without missing a beat ('cause you know if someone attacks me, I'm gonna have something to say) I say "Lady, my kids do walk. We have 20 minutes to make the health club, and it's a mile and a half. Is that a problem for you?!?"

She was TOTALLY shocked I responded to her. Why would she be shocked? She was right next to me, and she slammed me with her snotty comment. Am I just supposed to let her judge me to my face and walk on? I think not.

When I responded to her, she all but ran away from me down the street. I wasn't yelling, I wasn't even mean. I was very matter of factly saying, lady if you want to stand here on the street and debate the merits of me putting my kids in the stroller, vs having them walk, vs driving...bring it.

BUT...don't feed me your condescending, judgmental bullsh*t unless you are ready to throw down.

It seems ever since I had kiddos, perfect strangers think it's perfectly acceptable to tell me exactly what they think I'm doing wrong, all. the. time:/

11 comments

  1. I, for one, would never, EVER, challenge you on the merits (or lack thereof) of how you treat/handle/train your children. They are, after all, yours.

    Besides, my nose isn't long or crinkly enough.

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  2. Rock on Tiger Mom! I wish I had been brave enough to respond to unsolicited comments like that when my kids were little.

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  3. I just don't get why people think they have the right to make comments about parenting. Aren't we all just doing the best we freaking can half the time? Good for you for responding. I always choke on retorts and regret it later.

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  4. I always wish I was fast with the come backs I usually think of them after the fact! Why do people think they have the right to comment anyway??

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  5. I always think of comebacks after the fact too - and really good ones, which always sucks because I have nobody to say them too. I think I would've been in total shock if someone had said that to me - good for you to stand up for yourself and respond back!

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  6. Even without children, there are just too many people who are judgemental and too eager to shove their opinions down everyone elses throats . I am thrilled to be living in a country where 1- I can't understand most of what anyone says, 2- the people here still have "old world" manners about things like the above. They tend to mind their own business or at least keep their opinions to themselves and not slap some stranger in the face with them.
    I am thrilled that you said what you did.

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  7. Grrr! Get 'em, Cynthia! I'm so glad to hear that you said something to that woman. People are so ridiculously rude that its mind boggling.

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  8. I'm so glad you responded to her.

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  9. Good Job on the quick response! My dry cleaner told me the SAME thing this morning - why is my 4 year old in the stroller, he's too old! Hello?

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  10. Good on you! Maybe next time she'll think twice about making snarky, condescending comments.

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  11. Good for you! My 7 year old still likes to rid ein a stroller - and let me tell you - I have NO issues pushing her - b/c believe me - she moans and groans so much it makes my life easier!!

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