If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you know that periodically I just need to vent. This is one of those times. :)
Why is it so annoying to me when total strangers say to me: "You sure have your hands full!" UGH. IT. DRIVES. ME. CRAZY. And as un-Christlike as all of these thoughts are (which is why I try to never let them come out of my mouth), these are some of my instinctive reactions:
"Really, you think so? I think its a BREEZE juggling 4 kids between the ages of 2 and 6, two of which having special needs, and being 8 months pregnant. Its EASY! And FUN!!!"
or: "Wow, I'm sure glad I have YOU to tell me that my hands are full! What a shock... thank you so much for making me aware! No one else would have ever told me!"
and when I'm feeling really hormonal this one comes to mind: "Congratulations, you're the NINTH person to tell me that today! Ashley, tell her what she's won!"
I mean, what do people think they are accomplishing by telling me this? Do they seriously think this is news to me? Do they think its complimentary? Does it not cross their minds that I hear that at LEAST once every time I leave the house? Do they think its encouraging? Or are they just trying to strike up conversation? Because I can think of about a hundred diffent ways to strike up a conversation that would be way less likely to drive me nuts or be less offensive.
And sometimes it doesn't stop there. Sometimes it's "OH MY, you're pregnant TOO?!" or "Are those two TWINS?!" or "Do you have any HELP at home?!" All of which I just LOVE to hear. (Note my sarcasm.) And I mean, am I really that much of a freak? Just because I don't have 1.8 kids???
And yes, I'm completely aware that I'm taking it way too personally. And I know that most people don't mean any harm at all by saying it. I just wish people would think before they speak. "Hey maybe this chick hears this all the time and doesn't need ME, a COMPLETE stranger, to tell her that she's busy."
Ok, thats my venting for the day. :)
DEEP breath!!! LOL Feel better?! LOL Next time just say, "Yep, but you should see my heart!" And just keep walking with a big smile on your face. :) As far as the help comment goes you could say something like, "I don't need help, I'm SUPERMOM!" and laugh and walk away. OR if you REALLY want to get to them and can cry on cue, BURST into tears and say, "NO! I have NO help! My husband left me! He won't pay child support! My parents kicked me out! I can't work! I can't sleep! I just don't know WHAT I'm going to DO! Can I live with YOU?!" I promise they will run! LOL Then you can laugh and laugh and it will give those people something to talk about at dinner that night. hehe (I'm just kidding about this last one by the way... sort of.)
ReplyDeleteI don't mean to, but I am laughing my booty off right now..because I know EXACTLY what you mean. My favorite is "are they ALL yours?" Or "do you know what causes that?" And yes, always from complete strangers. My favorite was someonw telling me to get my husband fixed!!! I responded her wasn't broken, hence the reason I had "so many kids" lol. it's annoying, yes, but you have to ignore all these ignorant people. I can promose you this, once Mable gets here, it WILL get worse. Something about crossing from 4 to 5 makes people look at you like you have 2 heads!
ReplyDeleteLOL I love you two! Renee, I LOVE the comments back, DON'T TEMPT ME! :) And Lyndi, yes, I totally forgot the "are they all yours" line! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure glad I'm not the only 8 armed, 2 headed freak of nature out there! ;)
Amy,
ReplyDeleteI love to read your blog (prayed for you from RR). Keep venting! I love it. I just have 4 kiddos (3,4,7,and 9 and would love 2 more) but they've heard that annoying comment so much the last 2 times we walked into WalMart my 3 year old looked up and said, "Mommy, yo hands ah full". I had another friend (with 5) whose kids thought that was the name of the store. :) My 7 year old usually gets people to stop (or giggle) by whispering loudly "Why do people ALWAYS say THAT? We don't even have the groceries yet." Just remember, they're missing out on the blessings!
Kristin
Kristin,
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading, thanks for praying and thanks for the encouragement!!! Thats TOO funny what your 7 yr old says! I love it. I guess people everywhere will always be compelled to tell others that their hands are full!!
Ah, yes, I get this all the time, too:) Oh, and I love this one: "Better you than me!" People never cease to amaze me.
ReplyDeleteBeen there & heard all of those.I'm geting good at ignoring & I have my standard, "Yes...We've been married 17yrs & our oldest 14 & youngest is 2." Then they quit asking questions cause what they really wanna know is if you spit them all out yourself, if you got prego before you were married, and if you are still married. When you get to SEVEN then you can say, "God chose Seven for us because it is the number of completion, then follow it with, "We hope to adopt a couple more" That'll give 'em something to talk about cause they alreay think we're crazy!!! LOL
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