Because Babies Grow Up

I’m sitting at the park’s sandbox with my girls. There are also a couple of young boys playing in the sand. The younger starts doing something, I don’t even remember what anymore, and his grandfather comes over to talk to him. The kid listens, is good for a moment, then returns to his mischief. Grandfather returns and disciplines the boy again. The third time the grandfather comes over, I start thinking.

Not about what the grandfather is doing or how he is disciplining. Rather, I’m thinking of how he must feel about having to do this in front of me. I’m wondering if he’s wondering about what I’m thinking of his (grand)parenting. I’m reflecting on how I discipline the girls when we’re in public.

Who am I to judge, but it’s hard not to notice when other parents/grandparents are interacting with their children. We’ve all experienced how hard parenting in public is. Are you more relaxed with your children or more firm in your expectations of their behavior? Are you “nicer” than at home?

I’m definitely aware of how I might come across when I discipline in public. But I try not to let the environment determine how I parent. I know the values I’m trying to instill in our children and I try to stay true to them. When I see people become uncomfortable with the girls’ behavior I do try to reign it in a bit. Not because I don’t want the stink eye from the adult who isn’t empathetic to my plight, but rather because I’m trying to be considerate and aware of my surroundings. I want to teach the girls to be polite and courteous so I try to model that behavior.

Now with that said, I do try to be more patient than I sometimes am at home. I pay more attention to heading off situations that require discipline by distracting the girls. I use a lot of finger plays and songs to entertain them in lines or anywhere that we have to wait. I strive to be my best self. It’s exhausting! Ah well, promise you won’t judge, even if you notice! Thanks. I’ll return the favor.