Mary

 Snap Judgments:

I was making a 4 hour drive between VA & PA. A big brunch was waiting for us at my sister's house when we arrived. Of course when leaving for a road trip, mom never has time for a shower after getting everyone and everything ready to go. Halfway through the trip, we stopped at McDonald's to stretch legs, have a potty break and get a snack. Leaving the winter coats in the car because the thought of bundling and unbundling a 7 & 3 year old was too daunting, we dashed into the restaurant.
I ordered a McDonald's big breakfast. Eggs, Biscuit, piece of sausage, and a pancake. I cut everything into small pieces and we were sharing the plate. As we ate, I noticed an elderly gentlemen watching us.

Yes, I agreed to myself, my kids are exceptionally cute.

He approached us slowly saying "I couldn't help but notice....". I mentally filled in - how well behaved your children are, what good table manners they have, how darling they seem when I heard "....that you are sharing one plate. Do you need money for food?"

It's really a very nice story but HOW BAD DO YOU HAVE TO LOOK TO HAVE SOMEONE OFFER YOU MONEY FOR FOOD???

I stammered no thank you trying to explain it was a "BIG BREAKFAST", that we were ok, I was indeed saving money for their college eduction, we did have coats in the car, I wasn't homeless.... it was mortifying!!!!

On a somewhat related note, I've been thinking a lot about the pressure (real and imagined) Moms are under. We've all had the child throwing the temper tantrum in Wal-Mart, and we've all judged another Mom for her lack of parenting skills when we've seen her child throwing a tantrum in the same store. Stay at home mom vs. outside the home mom, home school vs. public school vs. private school, organic diet vs. prepared food, TV vs. No-TV. I think we should all look at each other and say You are a Mom and are doing the best you can. Go Mom Go!

And always be there to remind each other to shower and get out of the grubby kid stained T-shirt before a road trip!!