As I sit in the play area of my overcrowded local Chick-Fil-A, I notice a young woman staring at me from across the way (not an uncommon occurrence as I stroll about with my three skirt clad daughters in one hundred degree weather). I politely smile and nod at her, thus leaving a polite opportunity for conversation. Now, it should be said, that I am a prejudiced person. Unlike many of my Caucasian counterparts, my certain small contempt is for those perfectly tan, thin blondes, even though two of my children fit this description. If you happen to be a sorority brat as well, well that pretty much seals your fate for me! This young lady was a tall, thin, and tan blonde wearing an extremely short blue jean skirt and her sorority t-shirt. She asked if we had been to the zoo the previous day (we had) and insisted that she was not a stalker (yikes!) She had noticed us because I dress the girls alike and she wondered how I could handle (for that day) my relatively well-behaved children. She explained that she was a nanny for the summer (that explains the perfect physique those kids couldn’t be hers), and could hardly control the five and seven year olds that she cared for. She didn’t understand how parents could raise children without manners and seemed genuinely afraid and somewhat disillusioned by her experience with this family. I assured her that, “my children are polite,” (usually) and that, “no, I am not exhausted ALL the time “(mental reservation is not a sin).I left the conversation with the satisfaction of having met a perfectly lovely, scantily clad, sorority beauty, which in many ways made me reconsider my stereotypes (and how they fall under the category of Catholic charity.) I am glad to say that I was wrong about my first conceptions of her and was able to assist her with her views of children and parenting. I am sure that she saw me as a crazy Pentecostal with five zillion kids, sitting placidly knitting among the torrential screams of the inner heathens, but we parted both joyfully mistaken.
Ah, finally I’m full ! I’m not going to say my belly hurts or I ate too much,but I’m full !
Kitty,
Greetings from the west coast. I meant to email you but forgot where I put your email address. I was wondering if you would share what curriculum choices you have made for your oldest daughter. I am ordering Maria’s books and I just wanted your ideas. Tell me everything because I know you have a lot of great ideas. If you can’t get my email by this comment then visit my rarely-updated-i’m-ashamed-I-still-have-it blog http://www.hilaireinthevalley.blogspot.com and leave a comment for me.
Talk to you soon I hope!!!