And through it all I smile. We are loud. We are crazy. We are busy.
Yes, that last one gets me. Two days before we went out to eat at a local restaraunt with a family friend. This restaurant happens to be very busy in the summer. Let's just say that bringing kids there probably isn't the best idea, but our girls happened to be very well behaved. Well the whole time we are eating and visiting, Chris and I both notice many furitive glances and whispers. Many comment on our girls hair. The comments on their curly hair happen often, and I like it because I know their hair is beautiful and I want them to appreciate it. But, there is always that one comment, just the one that rubs me the wrong way.
"Boy are you sure busy! You have your hands full don't you?" And then we sit there and smile and nod and they stare at us as if they expect us to agree. And in a way, I do agree. We are busy! It's just we aren't busy in a negative way.
I try and explain it to them but I can see on their faces that my explanation is lost on them. How do I explain to them that while yes I have a 4 year old, 2 year old, and 1 year old, and yes it is loud, and crazy, and busy, it's ok? That our girls are not a burden? Not a hindrance? We enjoy them! We love them! And I wouldn't trade this for anything in the world!
We are crazy! We are busy! But it's what makes up our family! And I love it!
People just like to notice and want to say something, something so badly but often times don't know what to say. Maybe they aren't meaning it to be negative either? Even though I only have 2, I often get the same thing b/c they are boys and into a lot of activities. I just smile and say, "Yep we're a busy family, just the way I like it!" And they smile and carry on. Why not just agree, afterall you did say it yourself, YOU ARE BUSY!!! :)
ReplyDeleteTrue Salena, maybe it isn't always meant to be negative. I guess I'm just going off of this experience and others like it, in which it was said in a negative tone. I guess I just wish society didn't place children into a spot of inconvience. :(
ReplyDeletePeople say that to me too, "Wow, you have your hands full!" I always smile and say, "If you think my hands are full, you should see my heart." I know it's a cliche, but it stops people for a moment. I'll tell anyone with an interest how joyous my life with my girls is and how I don't even like to go to the store without them because they are my helpers and I love us being together. <3
ReplyDeleteAwesome response Mandy! I'm going to file that one away to use! Oh and I'm the same way, I rarely go to the store without them because I truly love my time with them! :)
ReplyDeletePeople who act like children are a hindrance really annoy me. My daughter was planned and welcomed. She wasn't regretted or seen as a burden for a single second of her life! People without kids just can't see that, they aren't blessed with the life of joy that is having children. But when someone WITH kids talks about how much of a burden they are, that really bothers me. I never know what the heck to say! I LOVE being a mommy. My husband deals with it a lot better. He just does his easygoing grin and says "Yeah, it's great," or "Having a kid is pretty fun." Nothing bothers him, I'm trying to learn from that! Like recently, I said something about taking my daughter to a movie, and I got a bunch of "Oh, sorry you couldn't find a babysitter" responses. Um, we want to take her to her first movie! We are all excited to go. Sigh... People. =/
ReplyDeleteMy husband is a lot like your husband Camille. He just shrugs it off or doesn't acknowledge it. I'm trying to learn from him, but I'm a slow learner! :)
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