I just have to tell this story, although I’d rather not release any more negative energy into the world. It’s weighing on me, though, and it seems I have to share the burden. Please forgive the language.
Last Night:
After two blissful hours wandering amongst the stacks at the public library, I was checking out an armload of books and feeling happy and self-satisfied, having had an unusually productive and enjoyable day.
A cute little pig-tailed girl, maybe five or six years old, hopped up and down while her mother checked out books. Earlier, I had heard the woman spit-whisper at the child, something like, “Shut up and get your ass over here! You are annoying the hell out of me,” and I pondered the fact that probably not everyone should take on parenthood.
Then this, at full volume: “It looks like it’s going to be one of the nights when I whip the shit out of you when we get home.”
I gasped, I think.
The woman looked at me and I looked at her. “Yeah, I said that,” she challenged.
I went back to checking out my books and didn’t speak. There were no words. She moved closer to me and said louder, “Yeah, I said that.”
“I heard you,” I said quietly, and looked her full in the face.
She grabbed the girl’s wrist and headed for the door, throwing over her shoulder, “There are some weird-ass people in this town.”
Of course, I’ve spent the day second-guessing what I should have said or done. Sometimes I feel as if I’m just not meant to live in this world. Even a trip to the library can be gut-kicking painful.
How would you react?
Children are a gift from God
Writing with Spirit 
Nov 18, 2015 @ 21:13:34
It’s very hard to deal with a defensive parent, which I think resulted in the aggression towards you. People more skilled than I have done it by saying “Kids are a handful, aren’t they?” The mom feels less defensive and then you say something nice about the child. It’s defusing the bomb of the moment. I’ve done it in less dramatic scenarios – not sure it would have worked here.
I spent several years attending parenting classes, mostly out of concern that I wouldn’t be a good one. I grew up with corporal punishment, which always sounds like the phrase “well-regulated militia” when it’s just an adult losing his or her temper and finding the easiest target. Discipline is rooted in teaching and as a kid all I learned was to lie to not get caught and to be a bully when I got the chance. I don’t think those were the intended lessons.
Nov 18, 2015 @ 22:25:28
Gives me the heebies. I cannot for a minute imagine striking a child…but of course, I don’t *have* a child, so I might feel differently if I’d ever had to put up with one. I think the public shaming was almost as bad as what might have come after. More child. Thanks for your comment.
Nov 17, 2015 @ 18:46:33
I “liked” this, as in appreciated it, but, dang, sending loving thoughts toward that household. Peace, John
Nov 17, 2015 @ 18:52:33
Thanks – they need it! Hope your new church home is a welcoming place.
Nov 17, 2015 @ 16:57:11
I would have recommended anger management classes and offered to Google it and help her find one close by. The neighborly thing to do
Nov 17, 2015 @ 18:40:01
I’m sure she would taken that well. 🙂 That actually is a good idea.
Nov 17, 2015 @ 14:44:12
I like your entry, though I certainly don’t like the violent-threatening mom. It’s so upsetting to witness such rage, directed at her child, and then , at you! I don’t know what else you could have done; perhaps your reaction will make her think. Though I’m not hopeful about that.
Nov 17, 2015 @ 14:50:46
I know, very upsetting. Clearly, the mother needed help, but I don’t think she knew it. She probably got the same treatment when she was growing up, but pray God the child will have enough self-love left to get help for herself before she passes on the pain to her children.
Nov 17, 2015 @ 14:38:27
Oh goodness! What can you do?… With a stranger, I don’t know.
A good friend of mine, who has six kids, started out beating them (as he was beaten; as I was beaten). After a few years he stopped. He told me it was because of something I’d told him once: that although I vividly remember my own father beating me, I don’t remember what I was being beaten *for*. He realized that the same was true for him.
In other words, it’s not a necessary cruelty. It just doesn’t work.
Nov 17, 2015 @ 14:47:54
Right. It was very rare in my home. I was only physically punished once, and believe me, I remember why. 🙂 My brother was beaten a few times, every time for “disrespecting” his father. How do you think that worked out?
I mostly wanted to say something to the child. But what?