Lots of mums and dads dread going out to the shops or to restaurants with their children in case they throw a tantrum or cry, creating a scene in front of others. I know this as I used to be one of these women, although thankfully Violet was pretty easy going most of the time, preferring to people watch or read books.
Tantrums
As a parent if your baby cries or throws a tantrum you look around to see other people staring over and you imagine them tutting thinking you’re a bad mother. Or that you are doing something wrong. Often you don’t get to finish your lunch and you have to ask the wait staff to wrap it up to take it home with you, that you promise yourself you will eat just as soon as baby/toddler goes down for a nap. You’re so busy though you never do get round to eating it.
I remember cringing when my baby projectile vomited everywhere in a cafe. I was mortified. Now I’d take that any day of the week!
Annoyed?
Now I know, if the other people looking over at you are anything like me today, then they will be looking over not in annoyance or pity but longingly. Wishing they were sat there with a child that was crying, throwing food all over the restaurant or indeed creating a scene screaming, rolling around on the floor. I’d happily change places, rather than be sat there having a quiet peaceful lunch on my own or chatting with a friend.
Never imagine you know what someone else is thinking. You have no idea what they think or indeed what they have been through so next time your baby makes a scene smile at those looking over and I bet like me they will smile back or even help to distract your little one, snapping them out of it.
Love Sarah x