I've noticed that my friends who don't have kids will completely STOP talking mid-sentence the very second that my gaze turns to my child. I don't mean get up, walk to the other side of the room, and attend to my child... just a quick "hey, where's my kid and what is he doing" glance.
... and I'm talking about that "oh so dramatic" paaaaause, as if they're just soooooo put out by the fact that they can't have my FULL undivided (unmultiplied?) attention. It's the passive aggressive version of "ahem, ahem" and it's twice as obnoxious.
Although, how often do you ever really have anyone's full attention- kids or no kids?
I used to work with a lady who incessantly pecked at her Blackberry during huge presentations, most of which were being given specifically for her. Presentations that often had to be repeated for her later via conference call, where she was no doubt e-mailing and IMing on the other end...
It was annoying, but did anyone ever paaaaaause in the middle until she looked up again. Nope.
Other parents seem to realize that yes, in fact, I CAN look at my son and be listening to them... at the same time no less. Perhaps it is annoying that I keep looking at my son while talking to you, but keeping an eye on him is part of the job.
Besides, what's more annoying-- making sure my son isn't destroying your house or letting my kid destroy you house while I listen oh so attentively to every last detail about that movie that you saw and I didn't...
These are usually the same childless people that constantly boast that "when THEY have kids, they will never (fill in the blank)... and those kids will be on a tight leash..." (Umm, good luck with that. Hopefully, someone else won't give you grief when you have to attend to that "leash"...)
It's a subtle (petty?) thing, but it just happens to be one of my biggest pet peeves post-parenthood.
What are some of your parenting pet peeves, Blog Hoppers? I want to hear your drunken rants!
... and I'm talking about that "oh so dramatic" paaaaause, as if they're just soooooo put out by the fact that they can't have my FULL undivided (unmultiplied?) attention. It's the passive aggressive version of "ahem, ahem" and it's twice as obnoxious.
Although, how often do you ever really have anyone's full attention- kids or no kids?
I used to work with a lady who incessantly pecked at her Blackberry during huge presentations, most of which were being given specifically for her. Presentations that often had to be repeated for her later via conference call, where she was no doubt e-mailing and IMing on the other end...
It was annoying, but did anyone ever paaaaaause in the middle until she looked up again. Nope.
Other parents seem to realize that yes, in fact, I CAN look at my son and be listening to them... at the same time no less. Perhaps it is annoying that I keep looking at my son while talking to you, but keeping an eye on him is part of the job.
Besides, what's more annoying-- making sure my son isn't destroying your house or letting my kid destroy you house while I listen oh so attentively to every last detail about that movie that you saw and I didn't...
These are usually the same childless people that constantly boast that "when THEY have kids, they will never (fill in the blank)... and those kids will be on a tight leash..." (Umm, good luck with that. Hopefully, someone else won't give you grief when you have to attend to that "leash"...)
It's a subtle (petty?) thing, but it just happens to be one of my biggest pet peeves post-parenthood.
What are some of your parenting pet peeves, Blog Hoppers? I want to hear your drunken rants!
5 comments:
That is seriously annoying. I also love the faux advice that non-parents dole out usually started with "I heard" or "I read". Ya, I'll try that next time...ugh.
That's a good one. I can go months without knowing what color a friend's eyes are--Mamas can have a great conversation while sitting side by side keeping close watch on their kiddos. My pet peeve is a spinoff of yours: when people stop talking about work and quickly change the subject to what was on TV last night when you join the conversation like they've been caught telling a racist joke. Hello! I didn't lose all my brain cells when I chose to stay home with my kids. I think I'll be able to follow your story about your stupid boss.
I hate when this happens and you know who my biggest offender of this is? My mom!!!! For some reason she gets really put out when she can't have my undivided attention. She has obviously forgotten what it is like to have a 3 and 5 year old.
Ugh, I hate that too. Another one I hate is the perception that I'm just spending the day watching Oprah and eating bonbons.
Hey There, Have you ever asked your friends why they do this? Reason being is that maybe they are stopping to give you some time if you need to do something with your son. I know that a lot of people who don't have children just really do not know what to do and just try to do their best. Or they could just be jerks and maybe you should find some new friends. LOL Just kidding! I think it's a tough transition for everyone when one friend has a child and another one doesn't. However, your true friends will always be there and you should be able to tell them to not do that anymore that you can do 30 things at one time! :) Take care!
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