The plot thickens around our here since I posted, soliciting advice on how to address the bullies on our block. Well I didn’t have to wait too long for advice on what to do about this So-Called bully since our neighborhood “momster” reared her ugly head as a solution. Holy Smokes! Anyone that comes into my home and introduces themselves with, “Give me a break, I had a really exhausting week. I almost worked 20 hours” you know it’s gonna be an awkward conversation from the start.
How does one respond with a straight face?
Oh dear! You deserve a mani/pedi!
That crazy little thing called work!
I seriously was at a loss and also was waiting for the punchline. And boy did she deliver one.
The good news is that she wouldn’t let me get a word in edgewise so I didn’t have to worry about coming up with a heartfelt response. And in case you didn’t catch it in the first paragraph: she was sitting in my living room, under my roof, putting on a show for Pippin and me. Unfortunately all I have is a reaction video, filmed just moments later:
When she came in, I asked her if I could show her around and she said no. Because she came over to our house to end friendships, not to seek resolution or demonstrate how good neighbors act (even if you don’t like someone). Or even, how a decent parent teaches their kids how to talk boundaries and god forbid how to forgive and move on.
And I thought I was a helicopter mom.
But the creme de la creme was when she rounded out her speech by justifying why a neighborhood kid called Pascal FAT AND UGLY.
No wonder they called her names, it was self defense!
Over what? Too much enthusiasm for new friendships? Because Pascal didn’t know when to say goodbye and go home?
And so ultimately what I discovered was that it wasn’t the neighborhood kids doing the bullying, but their mother. And I hope that she’s taking that realization to bed with her tonight and it gives her motivation to change.
I feel like I can’t type anything more about this, there’s nothing left to say.
At a loss,
So-Called Mom