My Children Are A Blessing

Five?? You have five kids??? You would not believe the number of times I have heard someone ( usually a stranger ) say this to me. I can not even count the number of times a comment has left me feeling kid shamed. Something a mother should never have to feel.

                                        



Some of my other "favorites" include -
Don't you know what causes that. ( I am sure you don't want to have this discussion with me, honestly, this is not appropriate to ask someone at all. )

Boy, you sure have your hands full. ( Hands and heart people, I would not trade it for anything. )

Did you want that many? ( I am not sure how to respond to this question. I can not believe someone would ask me if I wanted my kids....especially when my kids are standing right next me. This is such a rude thing to say to someone. )

Are they all yours? ( No, I take other random children to the store with me as well. It makes my shopping experience more exciting. )

Are you ever going to stop? ( Again, rude! )

This list could go on for a long time, but I don't want to dwell on all the comments. I want to get to the heart of this post.


Kids are a normal part of every day life. The truth of the matter is that kids are our future. So why do so many people look at kids like they are such a burden? Why does it seem like there are so many eye rolls at stores ( yes I do take all five to the store ), restaurants ( yes I take them out to eat too ), and other public places? Why do people feel the need to make rude comments, stare, or act like a larger family is like watching a circus?

You do not have to have kids yourself, that is fine. You get no judgement from me for living a child free life. What you do not get to do is expect other people to live a child free life and keep their children out of public.  My kids have just as much right to be the places they are as you do, and they have the right to be there without your comments, stares, and impolite behavior.

My husband and I work hard to teach our kids to behave. They are kids though, they are not perfect. Will they sometimes misbehave in public? Yes, of course, they are still kids! They have an excuse, adults on the other hand do not. My children are friendly, loving, and kind. They will gladly sit and talk your ear off, they love people, even when people are not so loving to them.

Kids are kids. They are often loud and messy. Kids are kids. They need love and guidance, not just from parents, but from other people around them. My kids love it when other adults actually engage with them. My eight year is a people lover, you make her day when you actually talk to her. Kids are kids. They are not annoying, they are not there to ruin your day, they are not a problem. Kids are kids. They are the living, breathing future of our world. It is time to stop treating them with such little respect, and to start showing them the love they want to show you.