Today we spent a couple of hours at Leeds Castle

Esther was at summer school

It was very hot

Much hotter than I had anticipated

Bea was very tired

Having been awake since 7am

A whole hour earlier than usual

With a weekend of birthday mayhem behind us

My newly two year old toddler

Was very tired and out of sorts

As soon as I realised she was desperate for sleep

We started to head back to the car

Despite my best intentions

We did not quite make it in time

And Bea had a very rare public tantrum

As I was carrying her

And failing to distract her

Part of her reaction

Was to hit me

It was not done with any particular intent

It did not hurt

I often talk to Bea

About how it is wrong to hit people

To hurt people in any way

But this was not the time

This was the time

To calmly take it on the chin

(The chest, if I am thinking in literal terms)

And get back to the car

So that Bea could have the sleep she craved

Most people walked politely by

Some even offered a sympathetic smile

But one lady felt the need to look directly at me

And rudely exclaim, ‘Really!’

You can imagine the tone!

Outwardly I did not react

But inwardly I was fuming

How dare she be so rude

How dare she pass comment

In such a critical, incredulous way

And she was a mother too!

She really made my blood boil!

I did not give her the talking to

She so richly deserved

I continued on my way

With my feisty toddler

Who when not overcome

Overwhelmed

And overtired

None of which are her fault

Is the sweetest

Funniest

Most intelligent two year old

You could ever wish to meet

So, incredulous rude lady

What would you have me do?

Reprimand my daughter in public

Hit her back

Put her down on the floor

Refuse to carry her

All of these over reactions

Would have been horrible

For me

For Bea

For everyone around us

And I would have been late

Collecting Esther from school

I know my toddler should not hit me

Or anyone else for that matter

Do you know what?

She is so very clever

That at only just two she knows it too

But at that moment

She was not in control of her actions or emotions

And in the throes of a tantrum

There is no point trying to reason with her

Believe it or not incredulous, rude lady

I am mummy to four beautiful children

We have been through more in the last few years

Than you could possibly imagine

I pick my battles carefully

And though it may not have looked right to you

In your five second glance

I know that I was right today

I am very proud of all my children

I am very proud of our family unit

And yes we all have our moments

But my children are kind and caring

They are clever and fun

They are loving to me

And to one another

They share

And when they are grown

They will have manners, understanding and empathy

So they will never ever do what you did today

I hope that by some stroke of luck

You find this blog post

Read it

Realise I am talking to you

And never ever

Judge other mothers again