I wish I could preview my kids’ thoughts, just before they say exactly what they are thinking. I would really love to know what they are getting ready to say, as a warning to put my hand over their mouth before they say something that will embarrass me themselves. I know that part of being a mom is teaching my kids the polite things to say, and most of the time they do a pretty good job of saying “please”, “thank you”, and “yes maam”. However, the part I have a harder time with is teaching them what NOT to say. I can drill into their mind the cues for saying words of gratification or manners, however, I can’t seem to cover my bases on inappropriate topics of conversation.
We don’t curse in our house, so I have not had to deal with 4 letter words…yet. I am sure they will come home from school one day, having learned a new piece of vocabulary, and I will quickly deal with it. However, specific “off limit” words are easy. It is the situations such as these, that I repeatedly find myself in.
1) At Costco, in October, Lucy spotted a plump, white haired man with a beard. As we were passing, she asked, “Mommy, is that Santa Claus?” I tried to “shhhhh” her until he was out of earshot, but she just got louder, “But Mommy, is that SANTA CLAUS?! I need to know, is that SANTA CLAUS?” It was mildly embarrassing, but nothing beats this next one…
2) At Target, we were in the bathroom washing our hands. A lady walked up to the sink next to us, and began washing her hands. Lucy began staring at her, and then said (very loudly) “Mommy, why is her bottom so very, VERY big?” Yes, she did stress and put emphasis on “very, VERY”. I stood there, frozen, thinking to myself, “She really didn’t say that out loud, did she?!” I could have crawled in the stall. I was HORRIFIED!
Pause the story right there. I would LOVE to know how you would have reacted if your child had just said something so humiliating to another person. I was at a total loss for words. I was not prepared. I didn’t know whether to scold her, make light of the situation, deny her (accurate) claims…I said nothing for what seemed like 10 minutes.
The kind lady replied, “Sweetheart, my bottom is this big because I eat too many cookies and cakes, and not enough carrots and apples.” Bless that woman! I truly hope that she was not scarred by Lu’s words, the way I was.
3) Lucy strikes (again). We were shopping, again. I had all 3 kids with me, and I was trying to maneuver one of those enormous triple seat shopping carts at Walmart. A worker was coming towards us, and kindly tried to scoot her own cart to the side, so that we could pass. As she pushed it to the side, she got too close to the cereal shelf, and wiped out about 3 dozen boxes of cereal. As began to pick them up, Lucy exclaimed to her, very sarcastically, “Sorry ’bout your LUCK!”
I wish I could say that those are my only stories. As I look back on those, it was my spunky little spitfire “Lulu”, making curious comments about someone’s skin color, hair style, way of talking. In her defense, she was not trying to be mean, racist, or judgmental, she was simply making her observations out loud, and without reservation. She has never been one to stop talking, so it is as if she just says whatever is on her mind. Each of these situations have been used as teaching points, but I usually end up kicking myself, wishing that I had already covered that “lesson”, to save some embarrassment.
We have made *some* progress in this area. Recently, we were shopping (I promise, we don’t shop all the time!) and Lucy noticed someone that sparked her attention. She waited until he passed, and said quietly, “Mommy, that man sure did have a long ponytail! But only girls are supposed to wear ponytails, not boys!” She followed it with, “It sure is good that I waited until he was gone to talk about him.” Okay, so maybe teaching a child to talk behind someone’s back is not good either…regardless, I do still consider this progress! That will be a lesson for another day.
Okay, now the fun part. Share your own story in the comment section, of the most embarrassing things that your little one said. I look forward to reading them!
And….since every post needs a picture, I was trying to find one that fits. I found these from my phone camera, from a Costco shopping trip a while back…probably around the time of the Santa Claus comment! One second they are getting along great, everyone is happy, smiling for the camera…
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However, Lucy just can’t manage to keep her hands off of the little guy. She has been like this since Day 1, constantly smothering him with hugs and kisses…
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He usually takes it for several minutes, without complaint, until he hits his breaking point and shows her “I’ve had enough!” I just love the surprise look on her face!
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On a slightly different note…
Moms of baby girls, or anyone with an upcoming baby shower, I have a great deal for you! I am offering a coupon code for $5 off one of my best-selling baby hair bow packs. Four bows for only $10! It is an adorable pack of tiny baby bows, that are made to stay in the slightest bit of peach fuzz. I often have moms rave, saying that my baby clip is the first one that has ever worked on their little one’s fuzz. To prove my point, I am not a hairy person, but I can get these clipped to my tiny arm hairs!
To get your 4-pack for only $10, use the coupon code CarrotTopMom in the coupon code box at checkout. Limit of 1 discounted pack per person, and/or per address. Expires 5/22/2011. Additional packs are $15…still a pretty good deal! I also have a great assortment of baby-toddler-big girl flower clips, no-slip barrettes, and other styles of baby hair bows. (I am not limited to babies, and will offer deals for bigger girls in the near future as well.)
If you have a little one who is stuck in headbands, have a newborn on the way, or a friend with a baby, this is a fabulous way to try out my baby clip, exclusively from Bitty Bows Boutique (my hair accessory company). I will periodically offer Carrot Top Mom exclusive offers, so make sure you subscribe to receive emails, if you would like to be the first to hear about these discounts! Also, I have a Bitty Bows Boutique Facebook Page, where I offer exclusive discounts and updates about new styles.
Well, that is all for today. I will be back in a few days with a new and very simple, tasty, and healthy crockpot recipe! Have a great Thursday!
My fave was when one of the little miss big sisses asked, in a full public restroom in a very loud voice “What is that hangy-downy thing that daddy has on his bottom?” Thankfully, we were in one of the stalls and I was able to answer her quietly. I think that is where the “it is his boy bottom” answer was born for me. Seriously, embarrassing!
Another that brings back a blush and giggle is a Target shopping trip when I was shopping for bras and little miss middle sis said as she was talking on the phone to daddy, very loudly “Mommy’s buying boobs!” Which I can only assume was followed by a confused “what?” on the other end by my hubs because she answered louder this time “MOMMY”S BUYING BIG BOOBS!” I cracked up out loud! And that made the folks around us smile even bigger!
Oh the things they say!
“Sorry about your luck!” I just laughed sooooo hard! Charlotte is too little to talk (5 months) but I can only imagine the things that are going to come out of her mouth!
Love the pictures and the little quotes. As a fellow scrapbooker, I know how fleeting those moments are and how easily forgotten they can be. I look back on the few years I have and realize I have forgotten some of the little things. Thank God for scrapbooks. Welcome back.