I work in an industry where I deal with children and so by default, with mothers. Most moms are normal and stay behind the scenes, but you always have one or two who interfere, make ridiculous demands and are so difficult to deal with that you actually wish their children away. And sadly, the children are often precocious and unbearable too.
Some mothers never stop telling their girls to sit still, straighten up, speak louder, stop fiddling etc etc. And rarely do these daughters benefit from the constant reprimanding. They are in fact highly insecure.
One had no problem demanding to see my teaching syllabus for the year so that she could approve it. Nor did it enter her mind as ridiculous when she told me to move a class to another day because it does not suit her. Never a thought about the other parents inconvenienced.
These are the mothers that would arrive at an arranged half-an-hour photo shoot with so many bags full of clothes and shoes that the shoot turns into a two-hour affair. But they would not think to offer the photographer more money. Then again, neither do they settle COD as arranged. I would imagine that this mother has been, and will be hated by every teacher that has the misfortune of having little missy in their class.
I believe that mothers should be hands-on. They must know what is going on in their children’s lives and if the child is being wronged, they have to intervene. As for the rest, staying on the background is healthier for the mental health of all concerned.
Mom, stop for a second and evaluate your behaviour when interacting with those who have to help guide your child through life. Be a little considerate and think before you make demands. Try to be nice. Don’t make a nuisance of yourself because in the end, you will be seen as an insufferable bore and your child will be disliked.
In fact, get a copy of ‘How to make friends and influence people’ by Dale Carnegie. It was written just for you.
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