December 15, 2008

What Would You Say?


Something crazy swept over me and I decided on the way home from dropping some stuff off for Luke at the office that I would make a quick stop at Jo Ann Fabrics to see if they had any Christmas stockings. They didn't, but anyway...
I'm standing in line at the checkout. Joseph and Jacob are going crazy wild in the tiny cart. The lady standing behind me decides to strike up a conversation. 
"Wow, you sure have your hands full!" Oh if only I had a dime for every time someone said that to me! She had obviously noticed my, only five weeks left belly. I just smiled at the not so original opening line and said, "Ya, it can get crazy."
She then, like most people do, takes a little trip down memory lane as she tells me that she had three boys and goes on about how crazy they can be at times. She then finishes with the usual, "Oh, but they grow up so fast! Mine aren't little anymore."
I smile politely at her story. 
Now its my turn to check out. I call for Savannah who had been looking at stuff behind a stand. As she walks around, this poor lady about has a heart attack as she exclaims, "Oh wow! I didn't realize you had another one! You really do stay busy!"
Seriously now, how does one respond to that? I never know! I always end up doing the fake little laugh and the head nod.
I can't help but be amazed myself. We live in Idaho for pete's sake! Which, I might add, is so very close to Utah. How can I possibly be a novelty when I'm surrounded by people with 25 kids!?  Someone please explain this to me! I'm not saying it bothers me, its just that I'm always so, surprised!
How would you respond?

14 super cool people speak:

Mama Smith said...

You might tell her it is FAMILY TRADITION..."When my mother had her "7th" child...my oldest brother was "8" years old...However, my mother had to slow down the pace, alittle, and picked up the pace, again, in her 40's..." Then SMILE...

Abe n Annie said...

Tell her to mind her own business and jump off a cliff!! ...ok maybe that wouldn't be the best choice of words. :) You are a novelty because your kids act as if you had 25!

Kelly said...

I don't think people have 25 kids any more, let alone even 8 or 9 it seems :(, so unfortunately people act weird. I can't imagine... but my grandma had 9 kids by the time she was 30. I guess novelty goes with the times.

Brittney said...

It really isn't that common anymore to have more than one or two kids.. even Mormon families have gone down in size.. and I think the shocking thing with your kids is that they're so close together. You should just take it like a compliment because I think most people feel like they couldn't handle having kids so close in age. You are just superwoman!

Charlynn said...

My Dad would always tell people that "There's never a dull moment at our house." (there were five of us kids with the four oldest being within 5 years of each other)To which people didn't know quite how to respond. I still don't understand why people think it is their business to comment how many kids you have.

Anonymous said...

Tell them Luke's really good in bed.

Sorry if that's creepy. That's why I'm posting anonymously. :)

Serene is my name, not my life! said...

That probably really would give someone a heart attack!

E said...

I have coem to the conclusion that women like you and i were born a generation too late...People in my mom's generation had several children really close together...so when people see us, they are like..what the heck!!! I think our generation is seen as selfish and lets be honest, being a mom is not exactly selfish--so that is my explaination:)

Serene is my name, not my life! said...

Interesting. I suppose some people would consider it selfish. Although I've run into annoyance and dirty looks, I wonder how many people actually do consider people who have lots of kids as selfish?

ldsjaneite said...

Selfish!? I'm, I'm...just not going to say anything else.

Sarah said...

I have a stock answer for the "You have your hands full" line. Since it's almost always said in good humor, and as an "I've been there" type thing, I always say "Better full than empty!" with a big smile.

If they've said it in a not so supportive tone, "Better full than empty" works even better.

Serene is my name, not my life! said...

I like that! And its so very true. I'll have to keep that in mind for next time.

Garvin Smith said...

I well remember being in Albertsons, Longwood, FL (Wekiva store) with all seven of you about a year after we moved to Florida. I was somewhat dirty from working in the yard. Oh the looks I got! In those looks I read, "What are you doing with all those children! You are so poor! Why do you have so many children?" WHAT! They're all yours?"
Never shall I forget!

Serene is my name, not my life! said...

LOL! I remember people commenting to you and mom all the time about the number of kids, and asking if they were all yours.
Good memories!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...