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I’m a Good Mom, You Just Caught Me in a Bad Moment

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By Jennifer Bailey

Mom holding son smiling, color photo — Image via Jennifer Bailey

You know, it never fails. The two minutes my son is having a colossal meltdown in public, an innocent passerby hears me say something negative, or even worse, sees me ignoring the Mariah Carey pitched hysterics. How dare I, right? You probably thought about how I was the meanest parent the rest of your day.

Here’s what you saw, Karen at Publix. You saw me rolling my eyes. You overheard me saying, “I can’t even with you today kid,” or “No, you can’t have that,” and I didn’t give him something he demanded. A no to a toddler usually results in some kicking and verbal pushback.

You saw me in a moment that wasn’t conducive to peaceful parenting. I know.

Or maybe you were the unlucky person who parked next to me and heard me say an expletive. Perhaps you heard me yell. Not perhaps, you probably did actually. I saw the nasty looks shot my way.

RELATED: The Mama of the Wild Child is Trying Harder Than You Know

Do you think I yell that word all day? I don’t.

Do you know I’m usually level-headed and very reasonable with my tone?

I apologized to my son for the slip up multiple times afterward.

RELATED: Dear Kids, I’m Sorry I Was a Jerk

I hear people in the checkout lines whispering about me and my child during moments of toddlerhood. That’s what it is. It isn’t anything crazy or abnormal. It’s toddlerhood. My son is still learning and overtired and short-fused occasionally. He’s typically happy and easygoing but you know, it happens. Friendly reminder, you did it 50 years ago, too. Snarky faces need to cease.

I am not making excuses for my irrational behavior when I snap back at my toddler.

I know deep down I shouldn’t do it. And honestly, most of the time I don’t. But you don’t see the 20 zillion times I quietly and calmly assess the meltdowns and provide hugs. You don’t hear me delicately explaining a situation to a 2-year-old, and you don’t see all the food options I offered.

RELATED: The Secret No One Told Me About the Toddler Years is How Much I Could Absolutely Love Them

You see a snapshot of my life. And sometimes you catch me in a bad moment. Sometimes you see me being a bad mom.

My husband has this timing sometimes—6 pm isn’t my finest personality after 12 hours with a toddler trying my patience. What he sees is me distancing myself, allowing fits, and firmly saying “NO!” over and over. He didn’t have eyes on us all day to see the laughs, smiles, and moments of pure bliss together.

So please, strangers, friends, family, waitresses, grocery store shoppers, give the frustrated parents some grace.

You are seeing a weak, crummy moment. At these moments, we have just as good of hearing as you and don’t want our children to be as vocal and upset as they are. We already feel inadequate. After we snap, we feel like a second rate parent instantly.

I’m a good mom and you caught me in a bad moment.

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Jennifer Bailey

Stay at home mom enjoying one little boy and navigating parenting one trip to Target at a time.

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I’m a Good Mom, You Just Caught Me in a Bad Moment

You saw me in a moment that wasn’t conducive to peaceful parenting. I know.

RELATED: The Mama of the Wild Child is Trying Harder Than You Know

Do you know I’m usually level-headed and very reasonable with my tone?

RELATED: Dear Kids, I’m Sorry I Was a Jerk

I am not making excuses for my irrational behavior when I snap back at my toddler.

RELATED: The Secret No One Told Me About the Toddler Years is How Much I Could Absolutely Love Them

So please, strangers, friends, family, waitresses, grocery store shoppers, give the frustrated parents some grace.

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A GRANDMA

Jennifer Bailey

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I’m Not Really Sure How To Do This Teenager Thing

Why Don’t We Talk About Jonah’s Mother?

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A Mother’s Love Doesn’t End When Her Kids Move Out

The Hardest Part of Divorce Is Being Away from My Kids

I May Let Go of the Baby Things, but I’ll Hold the Memories Forever

Mom Showed Us Love that Lasts

This Is How I’m Raising My Sensitive Son

Get It Now

So God Made a Mother

I’m a Good Mom, You Just Caught Me in a Bad Moment

You saw me in a moment that wasn’t conducive to peaceful parenting. I know.

Do you know I’m usually level-headed and very reasonable with my tone?

I am not making excuses for my irrational behavior when I snap back at my toddler.

So please, strangers, friends, family, waitresses, grocery store shoppers, give the frustrated parents some grace.

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A GRANDMA

I Finally Admitted I Didn’t Want To Be a SAHM Anymore

I’m Not Really Sure How To Do This Teenager Thing

Why Don’t We Talk About Jonah’s Mother?

To the Mom Worrying She’s Not Doing Enough This Summer

Your Worth As a Mother Is Not Defined By How You Feed Your Baby

A Mother’s Love Doesn’t End When Her Kids Move Out

The Hardest Part of Divorce Is Being Away from My Kids

I May Let Go of the Baby Things, but I’ll Hold the Memories Forever

Mom Showed Us Love that Lasts

This Is How I’m Raising My Sensitive Son

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