Category: Being a Mom

Jenny and I have both become pretty obsessed with Twitter in the last couple weeks. It’s fun – it’s like IM’ing with 50 (or 100 or 1000 if you’re really cool) of your closest friends all at the same time. If you want to “follow” us, my screenname is @momminitup and Jenny’s is @jennyitup.

A week or so ago, I was checking out the Mom Generations blogs and read about Tweightloss. You can read the details here but basically Audrey and Jane came up with the idea of using Twitter as a way to form a weightloss community and competition… it’s kind of like Weight Watchers and the Biggest Loser and blogging all rolled into one.

Which means it is right up my alley! The Tweightloss Challenge divides us into teams and we “tweat” back and forth, offering tips and motivations and “You’re doing great!” comments. And there’s nothing like a little competition to get me going! Our yet-to-be-named team is going to ROCK!!

As I’ve mentioned before, I am doing Weight Watchers on my own (without going to meetings) and while I’ve been fairly successful (except for, um, the month of July during which I lost my Palm Pilot, and since I couldn’t use it to keep track of my points, I just, uh, didn’t keep track of them. But now I have a new one so we’re in business), I definitely could use some extra motivation and accountability.

The baby weight is gone, but I still have some work to do. The Challenge is 12 weeks long, and since I’m still nursing and want need to take it slow and not mess up my milk supply, I’ve set a goal to lose 15 pounds. I actually can’t believe I’m blogging about this… that takes the accountability thing to a whole new level.

YIKES!

So a huge thanks to Audrey and Jane for coming up with this awesome idea. I am very excited! If you’d like to join in the fun, get over to Twitter!!

Dear Well-Intentioned Lady at IGA,

Last night, you were unlucky enough to be in the pickle aisle with me and my child. He was crying, and I know no one likes to hear a baby cry. You were concerned, which I appreciate, so you came over to see what was wrong and if you could help.

I’m sure you’ve calmed dozens of babies in your time. I’m sure you could calm my baby. For a minute, you did. And I was glad. But the next time you offer your service to a harried mother, do me a favor and keep a couple things in mind.

First of all, for the love of Pete, don’t touch the baby. Specifically, don’t rub your fingers all over the baby’s face and hair. You know that you are all Purell-ed up, but for all I know you just came from the restroom or a smoke break or the meat counter. And it makes me cringe.

Secondly, don’t give the mother passive-agressive suggestions on how to do a better job under the guise of talking to the baby. “Just tell Mommy you need some attention. Tell her to talk to you while she’s shopping.” These things are not helpful. Assume that the mother is reasonably attentive and that she’s doing the best she can. “Tell Mommy to pick you up and carry you” is not helpful either. If this mother is like me, she is kicking herself for leaving the Ergo at home. And she is really, really trying to get out of the store as quickly as possible. Odds are, she doesn’t like hearing her baby cry any more than you do.

So, dear lady at the IGA, I appreciate you worrying about my little boy. I wasn’t trying to torture him, I was only trying to grab a few basics and get the heck out of dodge. And if seeing my baby cry made you sad, you should have seen his sister cry that morning because she wanted cereal (and milk. and bread) but we were out. Yeah, you would have definitely been clucking your tongue and thinking “I never…” in your head if you’d have been there for that one.

Next time you see a mom whose baby is crying while she’s rushing around the grocery store trying to match coupons and avoid high-fructous corn syrup and get everything on the list, just offer an understanding smile. And then get out of the way.

Love,
Emily