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Yes, they're very well behaved and are a spitting image of their Momma!

You know that saying about good intentions and how most people - no matter how unsolicited their opinions may be - really do mean well?

If you've got kids, then -- especially, if you're a mom-to-be -- I think you already know exactly what I'm talking about and perhaps can also relate to an occasional communication killer, or two.

For me, one such person quickly comes to mind - a total stranger, no less - and stands out above all the rest of my parenting critiques.

My oldest daughter injured her finger during gym class and - though, our pediatrician didn't think it was broken - the knuckle was swollen and an unforseen fracture could cause further damage to her finger, if not diagnosed properly and quickly.

I'm down with that, so - after getting a prescription and instructions for an x-ray - I looked at my watch and did the math.  I had less than an hour to catch the radiologist.

Thankfully, there were only three people waiting in radiology, one of whom watched in absolute horror, as my crew and I managed to take up an entire wall of seating area.

"I raised five kids and boy do I remember those days!"

Not to me, mind you.

"And that's the easy part - wait 'til they get older - she thinks she's got it bad now?"

She continued to speak directly, to the other patients!

"Hah!  Wait 'til she has four teenagers running around, causing all sorts of trouble!"

I don't know what this woman thought I was waiting for - let's see, hospital...radiology...four kids...chances were pretty slim that we were attending a family picnic - besides, did it look like I was having fun and why would she say such a thing; to make me feel better?

I looked over at the kids and they seemed just as confused by this woman, as I was.

"Boy, I don't look forward to getting old...wait 'til she gets older...she thinks it's bad now...HAH!...wait 'til she starts wearing diapers, again!"

NO...I didn't say it out loud...because, I suspected the woman was there for a not so happy reason, too and - after raising five children of her own - she appeared as if she'd been through the parental wringer, so to speak.

So, I gently smiled, handed my kids their snacks and began to read a book to my youngest daughter.  A few minutes later, I was packing up all of our kid-friendly paraphernalia and it happened, again!

"Yep, kids today are so spoiled; aren't they?"

The two other outpatients looked as surprised as I was.

"They were very well-behaved, actually."

I smiled and thanked them, loudly.

"Who wants Burger King?"

Cough.

"HAH...I told you they were spoiled!"

Now, I could do one of two things.

1. Turn around and give her...um...a piece of my mind.
2. Acknowledge her empathetic advice and just walk away.

Or, both.

"You poor dear...it HAS been tough for you, hasn't it...sounds like you could use some spoiling, yourself?"

I offered the meddler a piece of gum, instead and - though, I would still like to believe that she didn't really mean any harm - I think we managed to understood each other, at best.  Perhaps next time, she'll think twice before giving any further unwanted advice and I may not be as, you know, appreciative.

I've got four kids, you know!