The waiting room game

Giggles, then screams rang out of the waiting room at pediatrician’s office. The culprit of the sounds was a little boy, who looked to be about the age of two. He had short curly brown hair, green eyes and a smile that said he was up to no good. Three things were obvious: he loved running around in circles, he loved sticking his hands in places they didn't belong, and he hated when his mother prevented him from doing either.


The receptionist behind the counter said, "Excuse me miss. I need to see you again." The mother, who looked close to her wits end, took a deep breath and sighed. She carried her screaming, kicking son, and made her way to the receptionist. They needed more insurance information before the toddler could be seen. She couldn’t retrieve her insurance card without putting the toddler down, and then he was off.


She closed her eyes, tried to smooth back her red hair that the boy had been pulling, handed the card to the receptionist and went after him. Again, his giggles turned to screams as his mother picked him up.


Another woman, whose daughter looked to be about the age of twelve, rolled her eyes and whispered something under her breath. Her child was listening to music, while playing on her smart phone, completely oblivious to what was happening.


The toddler’s mom fought to hold her son as she stopped by the reception desk to let them know she was going to step outside.


The boy’s face brightened with the light of the sun. The mother’s back was toward the door as she wiped her eyes. She could’ve had something in her eye, but it seemed as if she were crying.
As the curly-hair boy relaxed she held him tight.


A few minutes later she walked in the door with a peaceful, sleeping tot.


The nurse called the twelve year old and her mother to the back. The mother pulled the earbud out from the girl’s ear. The tween turned to her mom and said, “Don’t come with me. You are so annoying.” The mom, un-phased, got up and followed the girl to the back.

It's easy to make judgements about others' parenting skills, but most parents, at some point of time, have suffered embarrassing behavior from their children. Instead, empathize with your fellow comrades, because parenting can be sticky.