Warning: If you don’t want to listen to a rant read no further, and this is not really a G rated theme.
I’m well used to the much of the world’s reactions against a large family, I grew up as the oldest of eight, I now have eight of my own. People can be so rude, the stupid questions which everyone of more than two children receive today generally roll off my back, generally;)
“Haven’t you got a television? Don’t you know what causes it? and many other similar comments, have actually over the years kind of got funny, after all do they really think they are original? In fact I have become rather bold in the last few years and rather shocked myself with my returning quips, I’ll keep it G rated, email me if you need some pointers;) I try to make them think by comic relief.
Most people are pretty well meaning really, they just don’t think before they engage their mouths. Often it really is small talk, kind of like when the older folk say “You’ve got your hands full” and you smile graciously and give them a chance to talk; and they tell you they had seven and these are truly the best days of your life. Yep I really know that.
But for some reason I’m getting different questions at the moment and it is really starting to bug me. The children have just started gymnastics, a new sport for us so in this town of 20,000 a whole new set of people we haven’t met, so the inevitable begins. For some reason these people’s reactions are stronger, I have a very definite idea of when they are told; I settle the girls into class and the boys along the wall whilst they wait for their class, and turn and see this absolute physical shock come over the woman who has just been told, yep you’ve guessed it.
“You have eight children…?”
I smile “Yes”
Truly week after week (three weeks now), it is a new couple of mums waiting and when they are told or the penny drops they look absolutely gob-smacked, then
“Are you having anymore?”
This is really getting to me, do I know these people? I haven’t even had a basic conversation with them and they are asking me personal details, really personal. And my pre-teen/teenage children are sitting there. We have lost it as a society if we think it acceptable to ask anyone let alone perfect strangers intimate questions.
Mind you they are perfectly happy to offer you all their personal details, keeping it G rated but I’m certain you know to what little hospital visits I refer to. I don’t want to know.
So all week I’ve racked my brain for a nice way to put these strangers straight, nicely but politely so how does this sound “It”s really none of your business.”
Okay a little confrontational?
I’m wondering if I would offend if I said, “I’m not sure that I know you well enough to share that just yet”
Mmm drippy , so any ideas? I’m fed up.