"The Glare"

            Okay all you Mom's out there, sit down, take a breath, and relax. This week we are going to talk about the "glare". If you have been out in public with your child I am sure you know what I am talking about. We all know when it happens, we feel it, like a hot spotlight shining down on us. I look over, and sure enough the couple next to us has planned on a romantic dinner out at the local Olive Garden. As my crazy little man throws his pasta every which way and pours water on my lap, they just keep staring. Do they think if they look long enough I will say the magic words to make my 16 month old calm down for a quiet dinner out? If I had the magic words, or a magic button, or any tricks up my sleeve, trust me I would be using them. First off, I know this couple does not have children, and at this point I am starting to think they may have never been children themselves. As they ask the waiter if there is another table I feel myself getting angry, it's a restaurant, an Olive Garden. They are acting as if I have brought my child to a fancy Steakhouse and am letting him run free. For us this dinner is going quite well, if he is sitting down and getting some food in his mouth we are having an "easy" night. If they only knew what a "bad" night out looked like, I think they'd run for the door.  I wish little miss snooty over there knew how long it took us to get here, how many laps around the house before the shoes were on, how many toys moved to find the car keys, things only a mother could appreciate. She sits and glares at me taking for granted her freedom at this point, she could take her time, sip a glass of wine, and even catch a movie later if she wanted. None of these things are on my list, if I do get to have a glass of wine, it will most likely be gulped down before we have to leave with our pre-meltdown child, and catching a flick is more like a trip to Blockbuster. Not that I am complaining, I love being a mother and wouldn't change it for the world, I just wish other people could know a little more about a situation before glaring at someone for 45 minutes. I enjoyed my meal, what was left of it after my son was finished smashing my meatballs and giving himself a marinara facial, and I am sure even with my son insisting on watching "BOB BOB" all through dinner, I had a better conversation with my husband than she did, since she was too "upset" with the table next to her to speak. So for all of you Mom's out there who get the "glare" just remind yourself that you are not doing anything wrong, you are a good mother, and whoever is delivering said glare has no idea what parenting is. And for all you "glarers" out there; not that you would be reading an article for Mothers, please cut us mom's some slack, we do our best, children are little grown ups trapped inside little bodies with no censors. That's why they need there mother's, to teach them to censor their words and actions, also known as manners. This doesn't happen over night, and as the lovely lady at Olive Garden found out, it sure doesn't happen in 45 minutes.

Kelly Callahan