Breathing vs. Belting

To the Woman in the Parking Lot at the Farmer's Market today:

Congratulations. Really. You were amazing.

I pulled in the parking lot and sat parked in my car waiting for my sister to arrive and I saw you. Rather, I heard your child. Could have been an animal, but I suspect it was your child. He was throwing a heee-uuuuge tantrum. Other people would have thought you were beating him, but I knew better. He was just being an intolerable rotten 2 year old. I'm sure he's not always like that, but today, woman, you had your hands full.

And you handled yourself beautifully. He screamed and screamed and you picked him up and put him back in the car. You closed the door - didn't even slam it on his little fingers - you closed it. And then you stood outside the car and breathed. Just breathed. Waited. Oh you were so in control of yourself - I wanted to applaud you!

And when you made your second attempt to enjoy the Farmer's Market, he let you have it again. Screaming bloody murder for all the world to hear. You picked him up and put him back in the car. Closed the door and waited. Breathing. Spending precious moments composing yourself. I just know you were thinking you were the only mother on earth that had to endure this kind of public humiliation. That somehow someone was judging you for being a bad mom. I really wanted to get out of my car and give you a hug, but then I thought maybe that might be embarrassing too.

So I just wanted to let you know, you are a great mom. You showed great self control in the face of this monster that took the place of your normally happy child. Some other women might have opted for another solution, but you held firm and remembered to breathe.

I hope you enjoyed some strawberries at the Market. They were worth the wait!

Sincerely,
Peetsmom