There's Beauty in the Bellow

We recently watched a TEDx presentation on the stigma attributed to stay-at-home moms. The presenter pointed out the absurdity of defining someone almost exclusively by their place of work. (We don't refer to the stay-at-desk accountant, for example.) I have had a myriad of doctors appointments, what with all the usual yearly or half-yearly visits to the dentist, eye doctor, neurologist, and hormone specialist, finding a new neurologist with the retirement of my previous one, accompanying my husband to his appointments as an extra pair of ears, and with expecting another baby. (YAY!) To all of these (except the dentist --just doesn't work), I've brought my busy and curious toddler son. What better way to let the world know that you are a SAHM (as the acronym goes) and judge how you use that time, than to bring your child to a doctor's appointment. A "good" child would sit quietly in a corner with the toys selected for or by him. I'm pretty sure our boy

My second job was a formative experience. I cashiered at a grocery store. I went in expecting daily toddler meltdowns in every aisle. But I saw very few meltdowns. The  parents  surprised me. Some little kid grabs a box of crackers or cereal off the shelf and walks up to the parent with questioning eyes. The parent snaps at the child and then either gives it  back  to him or puts it in the cart.  What!?  The little one did nothing manipulative.  Have you ever been in the store when Mom's harsh, angry  shhhhh  was more disruptive than the tired baby she tries to quiet?  Christ had said, "which one of you, if your son asks for a bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!" (Matthew 7:9-11.) But watching the little dramas in my lane it seemed that many people don't