2 kids made a personal comment about me today at the store.

[uppityperson]

They were probably 6, sitting in a cart waiting in line at the local Goodwill store, while their mom looked over the couple things they were buying.

They asked if I was mad. I told them I was thinking about some numbers and their mom chimed in that she does that also (wrinkles forehead). I asked them if they wanted to see my "mad" face and they laughed "yes!" So I showed them my mad face, then we did happy and sad faces "oh no, don't be sad". We all laughed and had a fun time waiting in line.

It takes a community to raise children properly and we all are part of some sort of community. And it was fun, made waiting shorter as well as getting to befriend, and be befriended by, a couple silly little girls.

[onethatcares]

1. you rock. Peace to you and yours

all the time.

[DonEBrook]

2. Wow, they must have really "hugh" carts in that place!

:D

[Donnachaidh]

3. it's amazing how little kids can get adults to drop their shields, isn't it?

I remember standing in lines when my son was two and three, and he almost always got someone going, and laughing, because he was a cute little critter and a bit of a show off. If he thought for one moment he could make someone laugh he'd go for it.

Now he's a teenager, but he still likes to make little kids laugh when they are stuck on line with thier parents.

[uppityperson]

11. I remember being at a music thing at the library with my 5 yr old child (omg)

(sorry) and there was a teen running his finger back and forth through a candle flame (candles were on the tables) while we listened to the music. He looked up, saw UPJr open mouthed staring at him, looked at me, turned bright red and said "oops" and quit playing with the flame.

UpJr was a VERY verbal and social person and I got used to talking with kids like they were people.

[JuniperLea]

14. Kids know right from wrong...

Funny, huh? When I was a Cub Scout Den Leader, the first thing I did was get a big poster board and have the boys decide what our meeting rules would be. They created a far better list than I could have on my own! And they were great at remembering, and adhering to their rules too. Oh sure, there are a few bad seeds, but for the most part, I think youngsters know right from wrong by the time they start Kindergarten.

[mopinko]

4. i love other people's kids.

one of my biggest fans is 6.

[Mike 03]

5. That's so sweet and uplifting a story.

I would have handled that all wrong by getting embarrassed and defensive.

You handled it so well.

[LeftyMom]

6. That's sweet.

I know LK, who's seven now, always loves when adults pay a little positive attention to him in public, instead of glowering at him or trying to pretend they haven't noticed that he exists.

We really can't teach children how to act in society until we interact with them as a society.

[Mike 03]

7. How did you know/learn to respond in that way? It is beautiful. I

truly wish I had your grace.

[uppityperson]

9. I love kids at that age. 4-9 is about my favorite.

They are curious, and interested, and like interacting and playing. Having a parent who was nice was good also.

I taught my child that of course it is to talk with strangers since if they get in trouble they would need to. I also taught my child that it was not ok to share personal info with someone I didn't know as, once he talked with someone (and was very verbal and social) he considered that person their "friend".

Maybe it is just my immature nature.

[Mike 03]

10. Immaturity rocks! I am way immature too, and I love it.

Thank god you have the gift you have with children. That is a beautiful thing.

[uppityperson]

12. It is ok to be silly. We need more fun and joy.

[Cults4Bush]

8. Nothing scares the hell out of me more than kids.

You're a brave soul. Well done, now who did their Mom vote for? ;) j/k

[JuniperLea]

13. I love kids...

I chat it up with them whenever and wherever I can. I think they know a mom when they see one, because kids always stare me down. I grin back, and the shy ones blush and hide... the not so shy ones chat, jabber, wave, etc. I'm always the strange lady who will tell a kid, hey, careful there, you might hurt yourself... when parents aren't paying attention. I'll probably get yelled at by a parent at some point. I don't care. Kids feel worthless when they are ignored, and worthwhile when they are given guidance.

Kids and puppies... I loves me some kids and puppies! I was walking my dog last week and a really tough looking youngster who looked to be about 13 or 14 came up and asked if my dog bites. No, I said, not if he knows you are a good person at heart. He only barks and tries to bite bad people, mean people. He looked at me with surprise... he looked like an ornery one for sure. He petted my dog and said, hey! He likes me! I said, well you must have a very kind heart and you must want to be a very good person. He smiled really big:) Then he asked where he could get a dog like that... I said he should go to a dog rescue and save a mutt that would have otherwise been put to sleep. He thanked me for letting him pet and play with my dog, and then told me he would never forget me. I got the feeling he rarely had positive reinforcement of good behavior, and I really think I gave him things to think about. I don't think anyone ever told him he must be a kind person... he looked really shocked when I said that.

Sometimes you touch another life and leave an impression. It's well worth the effort, imho.

[Lilith Velkor]

15. "they know a mom when they see one"?

I get the stare down all the time when I take public transportation, and I ain't a mom. Maybe it's that I'm funny looking. :shrug:

I tend to make goofy faces at fussy toddlers to distract them while the mom is busy texting. It's worth the effort to me to make them less noisy, and mom is usually very grateful.

[uppityperson]

16. Many kids are ready to interact with people who interact with them.

Kids recognize people who see them as people, not a aliens.