As I waited with my kids at a family-friendly music festival, the sticky humidity wrapped around us like a thick blanket. The excitement was palpable as we anticipated the cover band I had adored since my college days. The thrill of reliving those moments was amplified by the chance for my children, now 10 and 13, to experience live music alongside my husband and me. They had never seen “concert Mom” in action, and I couldn’t wait to share that joy with them.
The crowd surged forward as the band prepared to take the stage, and I reflected on how much had changed since the days of strollers, strict bedtime routines, and packing baby food. My husband and I were finally able to enjoy a night out without the usual constraints of parenting littles. I glanced at my son, his teenage acne visible in the stage lights, excitement radiating from his face. To my other side, my daughter was practically bouncing with anticipation, despite struggling to see through the taller concert-goers in front of her.
When the band started playing, my kids were instantly captivated, especially my daughter. I attempted to lift her onto my hip for a better view, but the throng of people made that nearly impossible. Thankfully, I spotted a small gap right by the stage—just the right place for my petite 10-year-old to see the band clearly. We edged closer, and I let her slip in front while I stayed back, respecting the space of others around us.
Her expression lit up when the lead singer acknowledged her. She was completely entranced, and when she turned to share a thumbs up and a beaming smile with me, I reached for my phone to capture the moment. However, just as I was about to take the picture, a woman shoved her hand in front of my phone, shouting over the music.
“Is that your little girl?” she yelled. When I confirmed that she was, the woman proceeded to berate me, claiming my daughter was a nuisance. “This isn’t a place for kids!” she bellowed, her face flushed with anger. I stood there, stunned, as the sounds of the band faded into the background. Deciding it was best to avoid further conflict, I quickly pulled my daughter back toward my husband and son. The rudeness of that woman left me fuming for the rest of the night.
Having older children often makes it easy to lose sight of the challenges faced by parents with little ones. Our days filled with strollers and diapers are behind us, but I am constantly reminded of the journey that brought us here. While I’m relieved not to be the mom grappling with a tantrum in the grocery store, I made a promise to always show compassion to those who are.
I will always let the mother with a toddler and a newborn go ahead of me in the bathroom line; I can wait. I’ll offer to help her load her car or hold her infant while she tends to a melting-down toddler. I’ll look into her tired eyes and say, “I’ve been there.”
I will gladly assist friends with young children when they need to go to the dentist or gynecologist—nobody needs a curious 2-year-old in the room during those moments. I’ll keep a stash of juice boxes and goldfish crackers handy for any mom who forgets her diaper bag. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to provide a high chair, but hey, we can work with what we’ve got!
Most importantly, I will never forget the sting of being confronted by an irate older woman who has long since overlooked the fact that her college-aged kids were once 10-year-olds struggling to see over a crowd. When my time comes to be the older mom at a concert, I’ll be the first to offer my shoulders so that a young child can enjoy the show up close.
For more insights on parenting and the journey of raising children, check out this article. And if you’re considering home insemination, Cryobaby offers reliable at-home insemination kits to support your journey. Additionally, Rmany is a fantastic resource for information on pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, while parenting evolves and challenges shift as children grow, the importance of empathy and support within the community remains constant.
Leave a Reply