The other day...

The other day, I saw a mom in the store with 2 young children, and they were both very upset. They were angry, they were sad. The mom looked frazzled. She looked at me from across the store, and I just smiled. I smiled a smile that said, You are a great mom, I am not bothered by the fact that your children are upset. I understand. She smiled an exhausted smile back, and immediately her tune changed. She wasn't so flustered and she calmly led her children out of the store, and off they went. I felt good. We understood each other. I was alone, she didn't know if I even had children, but that doesn't matter.

I know what it looks like. I've made those glances, I've made those judgments before. Seriously woman, calm your child down already.

I'm not going to get into how I discipline my child here. I will say though, that I will not just get up and leave the store. I will speak calmly to him. I will try to calm him down. I will tell him that he does not need to act out. I will tell him that, well, sorry buddy, now you won't be getting that free cookie at the bakery.

When my son is acting like a terror in the grocery store, I can tell he doesn't need discipline right then and there - he needs a NAP. I'm confident in my ability to perceive what others can not, so their disgusted glares no longer leave me cowering.

Oh, and one more thing. I don't ever say that my son is 'embarrassing me'. He's 2. He's learning. He's growing and trying to find his personality. I'm just helping him along the way, assisting him in making wise choices and making sure he doesn't get too hurt. :)