Mean lady at park.

[wagner36]

So, I thought I was over this, but I'm just not and I need to publicly complain so it is out of my system.

Yesterday, I took Charlie to the park up the block. I just carried him, since it is so close. It is a new, really nice park - with one very mean lady. I walked in, and put C in one of the swings. The mean lady walked over from the other side of the park and said, "We were waiting for that swing. John's friend is in the swing next to it, so they want to swing together." I smiled and said, "Sure, no problem," took Charlie out of the swing and started to walk away. She called out "Miss!" and motioned to a stroller behind me, and asked me to move it. I told her that I didn't have a stroller and she said (looking me up and down), "You don't own a stroller?" I told her, laughing, that we in fact did own a stroller, but that we'd walked to the park. Charlie was on the ground holding on to my leg, and she said "Not quite walking yet, I see." For the record, he is walking, but I let it go. So, I smiled and walked away.

I ended up leaving at about the same time as mean lady, and as we were walking out, she asked me how old Charlie is. I told her that he'd be a year next week. She said "Oh, not very big at all. I have an eight-month old at home who is about that size, maybe even bigger."

MY GOD! Why do people think that size is an indicator of parenting skill? Not only that, but Charlie is gigantic! Seriously, he is a big baby. He's consistently been way off the charts for height and is solid weight-wise (75-95% for weight).

Why, oh why, must parents try to put each other down???? It is so unneccessary! Don't you all try to say NICE stuff other parents?? I always do, even if there is something going on that I don't agree with.

Okay, I feel better already....

[MartiesMom2B]

Ick! I'm sure that her son has her charming personality too. (Said with an eyeroll)

Sonia
Proud Mommy to Martie 4/6/03

[Marisa6826]

Wow. I would have looked at her and asked if she was having a bad day or is always that rude to other parents and left it at that.

Bravo for your level of control!

-m

[bluej]

What got her panties in a wad? I would have said fine, she can continue to wait for the swing until your child is done using it, since her child wasn't in it when you began to use it (I am of course assuming you didn't kick the boy out of the swing ;) ) And so what if you didn't own a stroller. Or if that was your stroller and you wanted to leave it parked where it was. And so what if you want to carry your baby instead of having him sit in a stroller. And so what if he isn't quite walking yet, or didn't feel like showing off his talent at the moment. And so what if her younger baby is bigger than yours. Can you tell I'm upset for you? You're right she's a mean lady and for the life of me I can't understand why any of this would matter to her or why she would have to be so snide about any of it. I hope you have a better time at the park the next time you go.

[jojo2324]

You know, today I was at the store, and a lady was pushing twins in a stroller. Lugging Huggies and a double with 10-month old twins. And all I did was smile. I LOVE seeing other babies, and can't imagine behaving the way this lady did. Babies should make you happy, not snarky!

And really, despite all that, why should she even care?

[toomanystrollers]

What a grouch!!!!!!!!!!! I bet she posts over at Urbanbaby LOL :)

[wdland45]

Ugh, what a snob! People like that make me nuts. Honestly though, you are the better person for just walking away. I think people like that are just terribly insecure, and need to make other people feel bad just so they can feel better about themselves. And, now you know that if you see her again at the park you can steer clear of her.
Danielle, Mom to Alex, 12.03.01 and Brian, 7.27.03

[jbowman]

I hate mean people! Especially ones who play "my-baby-is-bigger-than-your-baby-ergot-I-am-a-superior-parent." Gag.

[redhookmom]

I just do not get people sometimes. http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/headscratch.gif I wish I could come up with snappy comebacks in situations like that. How do you think she expected you to respond? You could of said: "Wow, what are feeding your little one chips and soda?" or "Well, we spent all of our money on a stroller so we don't have any left for food."

[Melanie]

What a snotty insecure woman!

[tippy]

SNORTLE! YUCK YUCK!!!!

[Kate888]

How rude!! It's beyond me why some peopel can be so mean to strangers! Kudos to you to keep your cool :) She must have some issues or why would she keep talking to someone just to put them down.

Hope you have fun at the park next time!

Kate
Mama to Maya 2-17-02

http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/kao/otn/ptrose.gif

[wagner36]

Yeah, I almost said, "Oh god, are you concerned? If our ped estimates that Charlie is about the 150th percentile for height, the perhaps your baby has a medical problem if he's 8 months old and the same size! Especially since you are so short. Seriously, you should see a specialist."

Seriously, though, what really got to me is the "Miss!" I find it really demeaning. I'm not 16, for goddsake.

[bluej]

LOL! I'm not 16 either but I prefer 'Miss' over 'Mam'!

[pritchettzoo]

What a super-twerp! I really think your comment about the specialist would have been entirely appropriate for the situation.

About the Miss/Ma'am...I got yelled at in college for calling a guy "Sir" for leaving his wallet on the counter in the library. So I replied, "Hey, Dumba$$, you left your wallet on the counter. Better, no?" I do agree that the "Miss" seems very condenscending--like what the snotty, rich people on tv call their servants ;). "Ma'am," at least here in the South, is considered polite for anyone from birth on up! :)

Anna
Mama to Gracie (9/16/03)

[californiagirl]

I finally cracked last time somebody told me how small my (50% for weight, 75% for height) DD is, and said sweetly "Oh, she's perfect for her age. I think it's just hard to remember how small they're supposed to be at this age." In her case perhaps the right answer was "Oh, he must look small if you're used to gigantic babies like that. No wonder you think a stroller is a necessity for even the shortest walk!"

[toomanystrollers]

Another idea: get a "Mean People Suck" t-shirt to wear the next time :)

[mamahill]

You shoulda said, "Wow, then your kid must be TUBBY!"

Ok, I guess that would lump me into the category of putting another parent down. But I wouldn't say it unless she started it (how 4th grade is that?!).

Anyway, sorry you have a b!tch-bully at the playground. Good for you for not mixing it up in front of Charlie. Better luck next time.

[mamahill]

LOL Pam - that's TOO perfect!!