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I have opinions. Strong opinions. And sometimes, I have a hard time keeping them to myself. Especially when it comes to the situation affecting those in my life. I am regularly having to remind myself to count to ten.

Rose was at school this windy, rainy morning, so Phillip and I made an unsurprising trip to the mall play area. These weatherful days are always unpredictable. The slides and such can either be teaming with little ones, or we could have the place all to ourselves. A handful of young ones were enjoying themselves so I let Phillip venture off on his own. Keeping an eye out for moments he may have needed me. But, for the most part, allowing him to socialize and learn how to associate with others his age. He is extremely well behaved and he rarely needs much guiding in his behavior. I play with him from time to time but he really does enjoy doing it "him felf".

In comes Mrs. Ask Ever-So-Nicely. I never get along with these type of Mothers. But, it isn't my place to parent someone else's young* child (except for Rose & Phillp, of course). So, I just sit and watch, and the second child's behavior affects "mine" I remove us from the situation. Today, Mrs. A E-S-N was the mother of a hitter. Ah, a good smack on the face for the sin of being on the stairs at the same time as Brat of E-S-N. Not to mention he has a lovely stream of snot running down his face. So Brat smacks one kid, "Oh no no Brat, gentle hands." Brat smacks another kid, she rolls her eyes and says nothing. Brat smacks MY KID, "Oh Brat...". This is where I swoop in, and remove Phillip and say "Let's go play over here so you don't keep getting hit."

It never helps. Brat hit half the kids in the play area by the time we left, and he was never put in time out. Moms, let me share something with you: your children are never too young for time out (or your choice or removal). If they are displaying inappropriate behavior, it is your responsibility as a parent to provide them the lesson that such behavior will not be tolerated. Asking nicely in the same tone of voice you would use to ask if Suzie would like ice cream does nothing. This hitting, biting, ignoring, stomping, tantruming? It is their precious little way of saying "teach me boundaries, PLEASE".

So, I'm already amped up from Mrs. E-S-N and company. I'm on high alert. Ready for the next person who skipped Common Sense Class. What do you know, teenagers come barrelling through the parking lot as we are leaving. (*These are the ones I will speak up to, because they are in need of a daily smack upside the head to remind them that the world does not revolve around them.) Bopsy Twin and her two friends are riding along through the busy parking lot, all with Starbucks predictably in hand. BT does nothing to slow down as she sees us entering the parking lot (do I need to start wearing a shirt that says "Pedestrians Have the Right of Way!"?). She finally conceeds a California stop at the end of the lane and waits until we are halfway to the edge of the row of parked cars to pull out and turn to head up the next lane. I feel the wind swoosh as her bumper flies by.

Now, remember, it's windy (to the point of weather advisory), rainy and we have to pick Rose up from school. I don't have time to mess around with these twits. Well look at that, they've parked two cars away from me on the other side. I have already graced them with a loud "GROW UP!" but don't feel that was sufficient as their eyes were dead inside and the windows were up. So, I'm buckling Phillip in his car seat as they get out in their underwear sized shorts and Britney Spears makeup/hair do's. I'm digusted and decided to count to ten.

I sit in the driver's seat and decide to leave a note. Something snarky and bitchy isn't going to get through. Who knows, the guilt trip I left might not either, but someday they will understand:

That child's life is worth more than the five seconds you saved in finding a parking spot.
Someday you will value others more than your self.
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