People view kids as a reflection of their parents. And those people are judging us by the behaviors of our kids. Even if it isn’t our fault.
Today I picked up Thing 3 from kindergarten. As usual, he was deeply involved in an activity and not ready to leave. I told him to finish up his game and we’re leaving in 2 minutes.
Thing 3: “Daddy, you are annoying me. You’re giving me a headache.”
He said this in front of teachers and other parents. They all smiled uncomfortably. Of course, they were all thinking he was repeating what he hears us say to him.
I can assure you I’ve never said anything like that.
Sure, I may have thought it.
It very well may have been true on many occasions.
But I’ve never said it. And now his teachers and other parents think I did. This is why I get nervous whenever Thing 3 opens his mouth.
I am with you! I am now the foster parent of a very “transparent” and verbal child. When my social services worker came over the other day, I told B. she said – in front of many – “is she the one who is going to teach you not to scream in my face anymore?” My answer – um, no honey.
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