Attack of the Killer Mommies!

Imagine... attacking a lady holding a 6 month-old baby. But, there they were. Claws ready, fangs bared. And they smelled fresh blood.

Well, at least that is my memory of the first time I took my son to a "Mommy and Me" function. It was the public library "Story Time". I swallowed hard and found a tiny carpet ( or perhaps it was my butt which made the proportions seem odd!) and snuggled in with Leif. I reminded myself to wear the asbestos panties next time to protect myself from the burning stares of the "regulars".

I felt as though I was the new kid who had just moved in near the end of Grade 7. After the cliques have formed and the pecking order is well established. I tried to talk to the other mothers but felt shunned. I have not had a moment of such deep self doubt since High School. We went back a few times but I decided that it just wasn't worth the effort. Hey, I can read him stories at home. And I can actually BE in my underwear while I do it, instead of just feeling that I am out in public in my unmentionables.

What is it that happens to a woman when she becomes a mom? Where does the deep-seated competitive nature come from? Why is there so much judgement of other moms?

After another battle of wits on a motherhood board, I decided to come here to share, document and explore the undeniably whacked behaviors I have witnessed in my encounters with other mothers. Serves me right for attacking someone who is unarmed. And, sadly enough, I will share moments when I have been caught in the undertow of it all. Shame, shame.

A disclaimer... not all mothers fall into this group. Every once in a while, you meet one who is genuinely healthy, interested in play dates that are just play dates, and knows that there are at least a few children out there who are as good as theirs. I want to be one of those mothers.