In response to my post yesterday the universe must have decided I needed a giant dose of reality, just to keep me on my toes (see previous post). I took my three year old to the bank this morning and as we were being helped at the teller’s desk I hear him announce, loudly, “TA DA!” I turned to see him pointing his finger in the air with a giant booger gobbed to the tip. While the young teller pretended not to notice (how polite) this little episode got me thinking that I’ve developed much thicker skin now that I’m a mommy.
I spent much of my twenties caring entirely too much what everyone else thought about me. But now that I take my kids to the grocery store/post office/Target/dry cleaner/insert a multitude of locations here, there are countless opportunities for embarrassment. Were I not a telecommuting mom, working from home with kids undertow, I think these opportunities might be fewer; not obsolete, but certainly fewer. How could they not? And after pulling my toddler up from the floor of the busy post office, screaming because we have no letters to put in the mail slot today, or watching him toss himself onto the mall floor (do you notice a trend?) because he wants to ride in the special firetruck-shaped stroller, I simply don’t have the time (or energy) to care what everyone else around me is thinking. I care about what is happening in front of me now and how I can turn the situation into a life lesson for my children. And though embarrassing at times, I’m still glad I’m the one who is teaching them.
Filed under: office tips, parenting
