We know that a rude lady in a red van almost ran over your foot as she tried backing out of her spot. We know a man in a white pick-up stopped for a little too long in the drop-off line. We know that some lady wearing shorts, walking toward a green jeep didn’t smile at you while you were waiting for your child after school. We know all of this because you chose to make a post on the parent page for all to see.
You wrote the post hoping to reach the accused parent, to show them how terrible they are for the aforementioned infraction.
Instead, here’s what you did:
You singled out a mom or a dad, who is just trying to do their best. Like you, they wear many hats; parent, taxi driver, employee, supervisor, caretaker, housekeeper, etc. They might have been in a hurry. Haven’t you ever felt that way before? They might have been distracted by their kids in the backseat. Don’t you know how that feels? They made a mistake. Certainly, you have made a mistake before, right?
You wrote a post designed to make yourself feel better while tearing another person down.
Isn’t that exactly what we teach our children not to do?
I have been waiting to be placed on blast on the parent page for awhile. Why? Though I have no idea what the post will say about me, I’m just another mom, maneuvering my way through the busy school parking lot. Some days, my younger children cry or scream in the car while we wait to pick up my older child. I’m sure you find that utterly disgusting. Usually, I have trouble backing up because, let’s face it, the school parking lot is horrendous. I am sure that bothers you. Typically, I let others out of their spots in front of me. I bet that holds up the people behind me, possibly you, and maybe you would like to post about that?
Before you jump on the parent group to justify your words or to single out the brunette in the silver van, I ask you… please come up to me in person. Tell me that I was “too rushy” for your liking. Tell me to wait my turn. Tell me to watch more carefully for children crossing. Please, before you throw me on the parent page to be publicly embarrassed and accused, talk to me. I promise, if I made a mistake, it was not intentional. I will surely give you the same courtesy in return.
Every day, I tell my children to speak up if something bothers them. I encourage them to talk it out. I bet that you have similar conversations with your children, as well. The best way to teach them how to do this is through action. While I know these conversations help teach our children, the real lesson comes when we lead by example.
So please, if I make an abrupt turn or step on the gas a little too quickly for your liking, take a mental note and stop me tomorrow. Talk to me. I guarantee it will be more effective and less hurtful than a Facebook post identifying me as a neglectful driver.
