Motherhood: Bringing out the worst in women, daily

I know you have encountered mothers who are out running errands. They look frazzled and ready to either abandon their children in the midst of a busy store, or just sit on the floor, and sob.

Today, I was that woman.

My normally easy going boys were liked caged wolves who have been set free. They complained, they smacked one another, they refused to keep up with my frantic pace.

My toddler decided that he did not need a cart. He also did not need to hold my hand, walk next to me, or even be in the same aisle where I was frantically trying to find the items I needed, so that I could just go home.

Today, I could have easily walked away.

Except that my two older boys would have called my mobile, and I inevitably would have had to come back.

I would have made the local news. The degenerate mother who left her three adorable boys in a busy Craft store. On Mother's Day weekend, no less.

And there might have been some prissy women thinking what kind of woman does that.

And others would have been cheering.

I have noticed a strange pattern developing within myself when I witness children who are getting reprimanded by their mothers in public.

Before I had children, I would feel terrible for the children in question. Poor babies, being made to feel so poorly.

Now, after kids?

I feel terrible for the parents in question. Poor mamas, being made to feel so poorly. I say, take those kids down. Sometimes, you can almost hear the silent cheering of other mothers, who have also had to chase their toddler children around the store. We exchange looks of "You go, girl!"  We closely resemble men watching a boxing match.

Sometimes, we even high-five each other.

Well, not really.

But I wish we did.