JUST BACK OFF (Snap, Snap) OKAY?!

The sassy title of this particular post has good reason. And if you're in the mood to get an ear full, pull up a chair. If not, stop by when you see a title warm and fuzzy enough for your liking.

Ok, my kids can be nosey. Mostly cause the big one is as curious as they come and the little one just does whatever the big one does. They are both smart, they ask questions almost nonstop. They are also outgoing, social and friendly. Most of the time they have manners, they have certainly been taught manners. But they are 5 and 3, so they forget. And their brains are still working on all the complex social rights and wrongs that us adults are still trying to master (some more than others I might add). My kids are NOT misbehaving, wild banshees who feel the need to insert themselves squarely into everyone else's business. They are KIDS.

Recently I've had the misfortune of being reprimanded about my kids behavior, by way of someone else reprimanding my kids. You know what I'm talking about, right? Before you even get a chance to reign your child in, someone else has done it for you, without your blessing and with that look of judgement that says "your. kids. are. out. of. control." It wasn't till I met the truly wonderful Grandmother of one of Clara's playmates at our local pool that I realized she had it down, she knew the gig. And I liked they way she saw my child.

My daughter and her grandson were doing cannon balls right in front of us as we were talking. As I was getting ready to pull Clara aside to let her know it wasn't ok to jump and splash right in front of adults, this lovely woman started laughing — great big giggly-tip-your-head-back-and roar laugh. She looked at me grinning and said "Kids love to splash, don't they?" And she's right (we were in the pool after all). They love to play and splash and laugh and run and ask questions and discover and learn and ask other Moms if they can have some of their snacks.

Let me just say this, if you're not a parent — keep your yap shut about mine (unless they're going to hurt you, themselves or someone else). And if you are a parent — take 5 seconds to be sure your own child is out there engaging, learning, discovering and testing the world before you start in on mine. Cause I'm a good Mom who teaches manners, kindness, thoughtfulness and appropriate behavior. Don't assume I need lessons on how to do it from you. (snap, snap)

Stepping down from soapbox now.