Karma…. It’s real.  Once you have kids, you realize you probably have some Karma coming your way.  Those eye rolls at kids misbehaving.  The inner thoughts… make that kid shut up already… my kids won’t act like that in public… those parents have got to be doing something wrong.  Oh yeah.  You will have some words to eat.  I know I’m due some more karma for my pre-kid thoughts.

There are days that I feel the eyes on me.  The eyes of other parents judging me.  Mostly it is just the eyes.  Although some days comments escape their lips.  Wow you must be busy.  I don’t know how you do it.  All girls?! The list goes on.  Sidenote: since when is 4 kids a large family?  It’s not like we’re the Duggars’ or something.

Today it was the eyes.  I could feel them.  I’d like to know what makes parents judge each other…. Is it human nature?  Is it to make ourselves feel better?  Is it a competition to see who is the “better” parent?

I’d like to say F-you to the parents giving A the side eye.  She’s 2.  Preschool pickup/drop off is hard for her.  You probably have your own kids since you are also here at preschool.  I guess none of them rolled around the floor in public and you are the perfect parent.  Congratulations.  Not to mention this is a school that children go to once they age out of Early Intervention, but still qualify for some services in a school setting.

This is A today.  Rain boots, Jammie’s, Twilight Sparkles, hair in face.  While you may laugh at her attire, just know this was a compromise.  I truly believe you have to pick your battles with your kids, and some of them aren’t worth picking.  She wanted to wear her diaper and my house shoes.  The battle I picked was warm clothes, and shoes the correct size… The compromise was fleece pj’s, and rain boots.  The hair in the face isn’t a battle I’m choosing to pick right now.  She doesn’t like her hair messed with.  Maybe it’s sensory related, maybe she’s just being 2.  It doesn’t matter.  I’m not fighting this battle right now.

So we get to preschool, and she brings in the pony.  We walk in the door, and she gets down on the grown pretending to be a horse next to Twilight Sparkles.  The judgement starts.  I can feel the stares.  I convince her to stand back up which is a big task to start with.  She starts making the pony fly instead – a little wildly through the hallway but with great sound effects.  I could pick a new battle… walking next to me holding my hand.  I would be trading the appearance of an obedient child, to the wild flying all over the hallway twilight sparkles and the judgement that accompanies it.  I’ll take the judgement.  All day long I’m encouraging her to speak and communicate.  It’s a battle that I’ve picked to fight to help her.  I’ll take your judgement today jerkface parents.

Maybe A will agree to real clothes before we go back to pick up her sister.  Maybe she won’t.  Bring on the judgement.