Ever heard this? I hear it a lot even from strangers. If I’m in Starbucks and a mom with a cartful of toddlers comes by and I comment on something they’re doing or how cute they’re acting, a common reply is “Yeah, wanna buy one?” My reply is always a big smile as I tell her I couldn’t afford it. Then I say hi to the kids.
As the mom pushes the hair out of her face and answers me, the kids are listening. They are hanging on the cart and paying complete attention. I see their eyes wide with interest as they process how life happens. And I wince that they heard their mother offer one of them up to a stranger, no matter how light-hearted she sounded.
The other comment I hear often is, “Ohhhh I can’t wait for school to start so I can get rid of the kids, this has been a long summer.”
Again, ouch.
It’s said in front of the children. What do you think they think about be referred to as a nuisance? (In another blog I’ll discuss the school’s influence on our kids.)
I don’t have a memory of my mother offering to get rid of me, although I know there were days when she needed a break. My memories are all of being wanted and valued, and that’s what my kids had better say about me – grrrrr. I miss my kids when they are at school, even if I’m doing something fun. I miss my adult daughter now, and her brother just because.
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