Am I now just a harassed mum? 

Life with a toddler, Parenting
Harassed mum - we all change becoming a mum, am I now just a harassed mum in the supermarket?
We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.

I just read this post by This Mum’s Life and it struck a chord with me. We all have an idea of how we look and perhaps, for some of us, it’s a bit out of touch. A bit in the past. A bit before we became parents… In my case it might just be. Am I now just a harassed mum chasing a toddler?

Sometimes I really forget my age, I climb into my car wondering if people are thinking I’m too young to drive a mummy truck. I scope out others’ looks to see if they’re giving me the ‘you’re a young mum‘ look… The one maybe I did actually get two years ago when H was a newborn and I was a mere 31. My look before the harassed-mum-to-a crazy-toddler look took over my face, body and being.

I know I over think things and can be a bit over aware of what others might think. I don’t want to offend or be annoying. I don’t want to be out of place or disrupt.

I’ve just been to the supermarket and although I’m pregnant with #2, it’s not that obvious under my huge maternity coat. So as I wondered around the shop I did spend my time wondering what those WI ladies in Waitrose thought of Toddler H and I causing chaos. Ok not chaos, just Toddler H lying on the floor because she wanted the Bing DVD – the one, and only, that we already have, I might add! In my head, her fake cries causing cringes and disapproving looks to sweep through the Joules and Barbour wearing, perfectly made up ladies buying their Dutchy Organics oat cakes while picking up their free coffee. Were they wondering in an ‘overheard in Waitrose’ style way, “goodness me why is a child in Waitrose?”

Well yes I do get those looks, in any supermarket I might add, I’ve seen them in Waitrose, but actually more so in Asda. It was in Asda that a moody lady careered into the middle aisle with her basket almost whacking Toddler H in the head with it and and looked like she might explode at her as to why we were walking down the aisle that runs down the middle of the shop. She had walked out of a smaller aisle into the main throughfair expecting everyone to stop for her and move out of her way. I’ll never forget her look of what’s your toddler doing in MY way.

However, I have to remember my experiences on the complete opposite end of the scale, again in Waitrose, these were the same ladies saying how gorgeous Toddler H was. On one recent occasion a lady following us stopped me and told me with a huge smile on her face, how Toddler H had made everyone’s day and had cheered up everyone she passed. She pointed behind, and there were shoppers smiling and laughing at my daughter who happened to be wearing her new pink scooter helmet, with label still attached as we hadn’t paid yet. I realised she wasn’t harassing people, she had put those smiles on all those faces. When I glanced to see what she was talking about one waved at H, making her day. So, yes, I was harassed as H had just run to the magazines instead of staying in the queue. And yes, she was wanting every single magazine on the shelf but I needed to take a step back and relax. She wasn’t doing harm. She wasn’t disrupting people’s shopping. She was creating smiles and making people’s day. I needed to stop and take that in. Take in her cuteness and the smiles and put myself in their shoes. They saw a cute toddler being a toddler. Surely they didn’t want to see a cute toddler, who was just being a toddler, being chased by a harassed mum nagging mum?

Is it me getting the looks for being a harassed mum? That mum that’s nagging her kids looking stressed? Is it me getting ‘looks’ and not Toddler H?

I do wonder if harassed mum is my look these days, again made apparent from a thought from last week’s supermarket trip, to Saknsburys this time…

Sometimes I wonder if I’m going to get ID’d. I often then realise I’m older than the cashier, oh, and my grey hair is showing, I’ve a toddler in tow and my harassed face does not look unlined, fully made up or perfect like all those under 25s who do get ID’d. The fact I’m pretty much 34 now, is just something that I forget.

When I think about it the cashiers who are my mums age don’t ask for ID anymore either. Sad days. Or an easier life? I’m not sure!

I don’t know where that time has gone. I remember turning 25 like it was yesterday, the first birthday I was ‘with’ hubby. The iPod he bought me is still one of my most prized belongings. Engraved and special. I remember the Indian we had with my flat mate who’s now been living in America for 9 years. Yes, we were young and working and in London. Working hard, building my career, dinners out and takeaways, visiting places we don’t with kids. Holidays abroad every 3 months. Immense unplanned road trips. Always having a tan, true in hubby’s case, and I’d know I had a tan but no one else. Don’t get me wrong I wouldn’t change my life now, we did that, we travelled, we road tripped and we got ID’d all the time, right up until recently. Well maybe hubby still does sometimes – he does do shopping without Toddler H in tow and doesn’t have the grey hair issue yet. So, maybe it’s just me escaping the “I got ID’d” again disbelief. Yes, it happened all the time until H was born, but we were always incredulous that it did.

So now, having realised its a long long time since I’ve been ID’d and then looking in the mirror, I fear that with baby #2 on the way my grey hair will increase and harassed look be more prominent. Really, like us all, I need to step back and take a breath, to know that it’s ok. I don’t need to get harassed, or paranoid about ‘looks’ (both mine and those from others), my toddler is just a toddler. I really don’t need to get harassed or bothered. I should breeze through those shopping aisles and share a glance with those WI ladies. They might actually be laughing not grimacing. And most of all, I need to laugh and smile with my girl, after all she’ll pick up on all my emotions too.

What do you think? Have you found yourself in similar situations? Is harassed mum just the way it is now?

Lynne X

Brilliant blog posts on HonestMum.com

Run Jump Scrap!

Previous Story
Next Story

You Might Also Like

11 Comments

  • Reply
    My happy list 7 - friends, family, hubby - New Mummy Blog - A pregnancy, parenting, lifestyle & home blog in Gloucestershire
    February 18, 2017 at 10:47 am

    […] was a hard week, you know one where it’s seems fine and then it just hits the fan. But I’ve […]

  • Reply
    Helen Gandy
    February 19, 2017 at 11:58 am

    Oh I have totally been there and it sucks but then on the other hand have also been complimented! I try to have a thick skin though and think they’re just kids and tantrums happen! Thanks for linking up to the #bestandworst

  • Reply
    Helen @talking_mums
    February 22, 2017 at 9:14 am

    I absolutely feel the same. It’s hard because those horrible moments seem to stand out more than the nice moments sometimes. Yes, I do wonder when people look, are they looking at me or the toddler???
    #KCACOLS

  • Reply
    Pam lorimer
    February 23, 2017 at 5:56 am

    Some people will always judge but i always think that you never know what another person is going through so you should cut everyone a little slack. When i was expecting #2 i was extremely sick and one day was having a particularly bad day and when toddler was playing up in the supermarket i just gave in and gave him the sweets he wanted, an old lady tutted me and told me i was making a rod for my own back giving in to him…do you now why right there and then i just needed to do what was easiest! So yeah we are all harrassed mums but dont beat yourself up we are all muddling through! #brilliantblogposts

  • Reply
    Nadine
    February 23, 2017 at 6:01 pm

    Your post rings with
    My thoughts of late. I’m almost 40…. I don’t feel that old, sometimes I have to remind myself I’m not still in my 20’s. it’s a funny thought. I don’t have a problem with getting older, or turning 49, but it’s like a part of my
    Brain hasn’t reached the realization that I am. And I’m also a harrassed
    Looking toddler
    Mom!!! LOL he gives
    Me a lot of posts to write!! I have 4 boys (17, 8, 2 1/2 and almost 1) #KCACOLS

  • Reply
    Mrs Morgan Plus 3
    February 23, 2017 at 9:07 pm

    I always wonder what people think about me when im out and about with my 3. My big 2 always seem to love to play up in Next and at the one in my local town they seem a little stuck up and anti child! Thank you for linking up with #KCACOLS we hope to see you again xx

  • Reply
    Laura
    February 24, 2017 at 11:41 am

    I think as mums we’ve all had times like this. My state at the moment is crazy screamy mum rushing to make the boys get dressed, eat their breakfast and get out the door in time for school!! #KCACOLS

  • Reply
    Happy List #8 - family, oldest friends, shopping hauls & pizza - New Mummy Blog
    February 25, 2017 at 9:36 am

    […] and overdoing it at the park. We’re now back home and fully rejuvenated, and a bit less harassed mum. We’re back in routine and had a relaxing few days which was ace. So here are my happy list […]

  • Reply
    Madeline (This Glorious Life)
    February 28, 2017 at 2:51 pm

    I think we’re all harassed mum at some point in the day aren’t we?! For me it’s in the mornings when I’m trying to get us all out the door for the school run. x #KCACOLS

  • Reply
    Sarahbel
    March 1, 2017 at 8:05 pm

    I can so relate to this. Someone asked my age the other day and I automatically replied 28. I’m actually 33 in a few months…it’s like I’ve forgotten that the last few years have even happened they’ve been that much of a blur. Harassed chic is definitely my style these days… Great read #kcacols

  • Reply
    Kate Eccles
    March 14, 2017 at 11:12 am

    I am always the most harassed looking mum on the school run – hands down! I used to care, not so much anymore 😉 #KCACOLS

  • Leave a Reply

    CommentLuv badge

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Read previous post:
    what is a linky? why should I join a linky? How to start a blog - new mummy blog
    What is a linky? Why should I join linkies? | How to start a Blog

    I've been blogging for over 18 months now and throughout...

    Happy list 6 - coffee travel potty crafts doors lunch dates
    My happy list 6 – coffee, potties, new doors

    It's been another super quick week, so I'll get straight...

    Close