Today after Wyatt’s speech class ended, we went to Target to pick up some food for Levi. We grabbed what we needed and headed for the register. Going to the register always makes me nervous. Usually the cashier will try to say hello to Wyatt and talk to him a little – which he loves. But Wyatt still isn’t talking a lot, and cannot say hello back. Most cashiers brush-off him not responding and chalk it up to him just being shy. But it’s those cashiers that give him stink eye when he doesn’t talk back that really get my goat. Like Wyatt is being rude for not responding.
In my head, Wyatt gets judged all the time. But, I am probably and most-likely am just overly sensitive when it comes to Wyatt. I always think people are staring at him when he’s making noise or acting out – and I get embarrassed. I remember we were at Target a few weeks ago and Wyatt threw a tantrum. Wyatt’s tantrums aren’t normal – they are super-tantrums. He can’t talk so he can’t vocalize how he is feeling. So, he screams – loudly. I threw everything on the shelf that was in the cart and stormed toward the front door to leave. William met me up there and reminded me that he was just crying, told me no one was looking, and gave me a moment to get it together.
I guess it’s because I never want Wyatt (or Levi) to feel out-of-place. I expect people to stare at Levi when we are out because you really can’t miss his special shoes and bar, and usually people are just curious about what they are. But when someone goes out of their way to roll their eyes at my TWO year old and give him the stink eye because he doesn’t say hi back… well, I just can’t handle it.
I was so angry today when it happened. I started to shake, my mind was racing, and I half-yelled out “HE CAN’T TALK!” I then snapped the receipt out of her hand and stormed out of the store pushing my boys in the cart. I know now that it wasn’t worth getting upset over, it wasn’t worth that wasted energy. I should have brushed it off and let the rude cashier be rude. I should have killed her with kindness. I should have been a better example for my boys.
ย Shoulda.Woulda.Coulda.
I’ve SO felt this way before with my daughter. She crawled, walked and talked late and I’m still hyper-sensitive about if people are judging her or not. She has PDD (it’s in the spectrum) and lots of sensory issues. Everytime a kid comes up and says hello and she doesn’t respond or anytime she rushes up to touch a strangers hair (bc she feels like she NEEDS the sensory input) I am on guard for their reactions. Her fits used to be huge and epic and they have cooled with age. Now I get mad when people don’t give her a chance bc she doesn’t respond or talk so well bc they don’t know she is brilliant, she can read above a 2nd grade level and is hilarious. I’m babbling. All this to say I understand how you feel. I’d give you a hug if I could. That cashier, it’s her loss if she failed to see the beauty in your sweet son. Hugs!
I’m sorry you had a bad experience. My son is almost 3 and often doesn’t respond when strangers talk to him. I always get uncomfortable because people just stare or keep on trying to talk to him. I just tell them he’s shy. Rudeness is really ridiculous in my opinion. They are children! People shouldn’t expect them to act like adults, ya know? Adults should get it and not make a huge deal if the children don’t respond to them. Those are my thoughts anyway ๐
As a mom, it’s your job to defend your little ones! Especially when they can’t defend themselves! #noshame
oh mama, you did nothing wrong. There is nothing wrong with being a mama lion when it comes to your boys. There are always ignorant people out there, I know its hard to brush off, but I know you can do it. And if you gotta put em in their place, so be it.
Maybe that woman will think twice before she’s rude again for absolutely no reason to a little child.
I can’t say I blame you for getting upset! It seems nowadays anyway that people expect kids to be able to talk extremely well by time they turn 1! Hello..they are kids!! Makayla is getting there..she still does a lot of the toddler jabbering..but I get ‘looks’ too because she’s very tall for her age and they just think she’s older than she really is and can’t figure out why she can’t ‘talk right’. Annoying yes, but each kid is different and special and perfect!!!
I know for me, I can always think of ways I could have done it “more Christ like.” We’ve all been there. Our daughter is a tall, beautiful six year old, but on the inside is a severely delayed three. People treat her like a six year old and then get annoyed when she acts and talks like she is three. Not everyone understands delays, but God bless them. I pray they never have to go through what we do.
Be blessed today! And, thank you so much for this post. It made me feel better when I go all Mama Lion on people, and to know that other moms go through this too.
~Chelle