This morning, after dropping off Pea at Mother’s Day Out at her preschool, Coco and I headed to Target to pick up a few odds and ends. While in line at the Starbuck’s inside, I turned around and bumped into, quite literally, another mother from Pea’s school. And not just any mother, but Pea’s classroom mother. Our kids are in the same class together, a tiny little class of eight. We’ve spoken on several occasions inside and outside of the classroom. We’ve spoken on the telephone. And so this morning, when I bumped into her, I said “hi, how are you?” And she curtly replied, “hello.” As if she had no idea who I was. Could that be? The tone of her voice was so short and disconnected that I was completely caught off guard. And so rather than saying, “I’m Pea’s mom, our kids are in class together, blah blah blah…” I just smiled, grabbed my coffee and walked over to the opposite counter. I was, quite honestly, irritated. Do I really need to explain who I am? Shouldn’t she know who I am? I know who she is.
This whole “room mother” thing is a real thorn in my side, too. All the mothers who’ve been “chosen” are moms who already have older kids in the school. So that doesn’t leave any room for the “new” moms, like myself, to get involved. Over the summer, I expressed to the Administrator that I’d love the opportunity to fill the role for the coming school year, and she seemed interested. And then, nothing…
But at least Coco and I were looking cute this morning. It’s been a rainy day, so I was finally able to break in my new Wellies, which I’ve been dying to wear since I bought them over the summer. It’s been such a long time since we’ve had rain, I almost forgot about them. Shopbop has them in a ton of cute colors, and although true to my own personal style, which revolves around a closet full of neutrals, I bought them in chocolate, I really wish I’d gone for the aubergine ones. They are dark enough to be a neutral, but still sharp enough to add a little shot of color on a dreary day. Wellies have been an obsession of mine since my first trip to England at the tender age of 17. I just had to have a pair. Until recently, they haven’t been all that easy to find, but now they’re popping up all over the place.
And Coco, well she was wearing a hand-me-down poncho from Go Baby, which first belonged to her big sis. I found it a few weeks ago when I was purging our closets. This little poncho gets more compliments than I think any other item of clothing I’ve dressed the girls in. I was so happy to see that they are still selling this particular pattern, a leopard-print with pompoms, at the site where I originally found it. I cannot recommend a poncho enough, either. It’s so easy to slip on and off over a baby’s head when they are already strapped into their car-seat or their stroller.
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Hi, I’m new. You blog is super fun and interesting. It seems like we have a lot in common! Yay!
So anyway, I can honestly say that I have had a million brain farts when it comes to putting a face to a name. It happens to me ALL the time, girlfriend! And may I say that it is really embarrassing when I finally realize who I just insulted with a stupid blank look on my face
and a unenthusiastic hello. That’s because my brain is like…ok, dummy…you are supposed to know this nice lady’s name…say something or you’ll look like a complete idiot! LOL. In the end, it’s still awkward but who cares. You probably look way better in jeans then she does. LOL…I crack myself up.
Melissa, I agree with most of the other ladies….she probably was having a bad day!!! Another thing…Iam from the midwest and have lived on the East coast 27 year’s and find people are different wherever you live. And I have to honestly say, I wish I were raising my boy’s back home rather than out here because kid’s and adults can be very rude and uppity. I wasn’t brought up that way so it’s VERY hard for me when Iam being snubbed!!! It hurt’s!!!!
Not to excuse being snubbed, but maybe she really needed her coffee before she could be a chipper room mom?
Personally, I think it’s so hard trying to fit in with other moms. I feel like I’m back in middle or high school again!
That mom is probably as busy and tired as we all are and didn’t snub you to be mean. Maybe she didn’t recognize you, maybe she has an awful memory or maybe her cat died that morning. I think it’s kinda your problem if it hurt your feelings when you didn’t really make an effort to start a convo either.
I am sort a new mom with only about 6 months in to my moms group and at gymboree so I can understand your frustration at trying to break in and be accepted. I read your blog all the time and you’ve made several comments about other moms not including you or making you feel like an outsider. That breaks my heart because the moms in my MOMs club and most of the mothers at Gymboree all try to make an effort to welcome new moms.
Without sounding mean or over-bubbly…when these situations come up again don’t let these women make you feel insecure. There’s a famous quote that I like to live by “no one can make you feel bad about yourself except for you’. So put on a smile, walk right up and join the conversation or remind the mom of who you are and that your kids are in the same class and take the high road. I promise you that most of these women are not trying to hurt your feelings or keep you on the outside, they are just busy moms and some of them weren’t taught to try to make other people feel comfortable like most of us were. If you are too shy or insecure to do it for yourself, then do it for your girls. Its good for them to see Mommy taking the initiative with confidence and joining in.
That said, I think you are a fantastic mom and blogger and its always a treat when I have time to read your posts. If you lived in Georgia I’d make sure you were always included in everything!
Great Wellies! I’ve always wanted a pair too. We don’t get much rain here but on the two days it does rain it would be fun to break out the wellies! Glad you and Coco were looking smashing!
Not that I want to defend someone who was rude, BUT, I am HORRIBLE at knowing someone’s name (or even if I know them) when I see them outside of the usual context. I can totally relate if she was unable to place your face (especially if it was in the morning, she WAS just getting her coffee). So, don’t think it’s because you’re easily forgettable or that she doesn’t care enough to remember who you are. Perhaps, it’s because, like me, she will remember EXACTLY who you are about 10 minutes after you’ve gone and it’s too late to say anything!
I love, love, LOVE the wellies!!! How cutie patootie!!
I’m so sorry about that lady… I am the queen of taking things like that personally, but it often ends up that it’s just them having a bad day.
That lady sounds like a real rip, bless her heart (see my latest entry).
I think we have similar taste – I have those same wellies, in navy. Cute! Ashley Olson (of the O. Twins) was wearing them recently in People. Even though she has mighty bag lady qualities, I think she’s super fashionable – so we’re in good company.