Easily Affended

Being a mom is torturous. The kids talk back, cry, scream, don't listen, etc., which is insulting as a person and as a mom. But the kiddos are too small to have any idea they are insulting the listener/subject of the triad. Husband wants to participate, in his way, which, of course, is different then your way. Could it be better? Friends all have their own style none of which fits you. That always makes me examine my own behavior and question what in the world is my style? Its easy to be offended by strangers on the street who offer "looks" and under the breath comments.

Beyond these influences, the mired of cliques is also stunning; stay at home moms, working moms, moms with help those with part time help, those with no help, the sitters, the nannies, moms with with one child, with two, with more, those with biological, those with adopted, those with mixed bio and adopted, those who spare no expense, those who are comfortable, those on a budget, those squeaking by, those with pedicures in red, blue and pink, those with highlights and those with a scrunchy. Yes, its easy to be offended by those that you don't click with that just are unfriendly at the playground, school, doctors office, building, office, grocery store, and everywhere else I meet fellow moms.

So, I've started a campaign to inform people when they surprise me in a pleasant way. Oddly, I've been applying it mostly to strangers, even though there are some beautiful people in my life. But there is some level of personal satisfaction in watching people reaction move from hostile, shock to pride. For example, this young boy of about 8 years old, took DS1 under his wing in a water fight and helped him figure out who was the bad guy and who wasn't, as well as refilling his water gun. After about an hour of play it was time to go, so I went over to the mom and told them that her son did an awesome job taking my 3 year old under-wing. She was shocked but then proud. A similar thing happened with a 9 year old, who explained to DS1 how play tag in a crowded playground. Again, parents were willing to disown the child when I approached but ended by giving him high fives.

On a totally different front, I went to a pizza joint and got a surprisingly different, but awesome tasting, chicken, bacon, cheese, tomato slice. I told the manager on my way out, and received was a sincere smile.

I've tried a thousand ways to make the world a better place, but on a personal front, making a stranger smile, maybe inject a bit of positive in their day, makes me feel good. Feel free to join my campaign.