Last week, I swung by a coffee shop after a fun day at the park with my little one. I had my child in the stroller, a warm cup of coffee in one hand, and a bag of groceries in the other. It was a bit tricky, but nothing I couldn’t handle. As I approached the door, I noticed a man leaving. I thought to myself, thank goodness—I won’t have to awkwardly turn around and exit backward with my full hands.
But as we made eye contact, I realized my assumption was misguided. He let the door slam right in my face, leaving me to juggle my coffee, baby, and groceries. As he breezed out with both hands free, he shot me a smirk that seemed to say, “Too bad for you and your burdens.”
I couldn’t help but feel a surge of irritation towards this guy, who I’ll call Tom for the sake of the story. Tom and I share a neighborhood, and we both navigate life alongside a new breed of parents I like to refer to as the “I Don’t Care, Make Way” squad. You know the ones—the kind that leaves the house with an entire arsenal of supplies, ready for three weeks of baby care just in case the apocalypse strikes on their way home from the park. For the sake of clarity, I’ll call them Jerks.
So, just to clarify: oblivious parents in Brooklyn = Jerks. The not-so-nice guy who slammed the door in my face = Tom.
I have this flimsy $20 umbrella stroller I use when I know I’ll be in crowded places. It’s not the most comfortable for my son, but it’s incredibly maneuverable, allowing me to navigate shops and cafes without disrupting everyone else’s space. It folds up neatly, which is a perk since I dislike being inconsiderate. But these Jerks? They roll in with their massive strollers without a second thought, expecting tables to magically appear for them at brunch spots already packed with hungry patrons.
These oversized strollers are practically baby tanks, and they don’t care who they bump into. They stomp over toes, knock bags off chairs, and elbow unsuspecting patrons like Tom. The parents are so preoccupied with protecting their expensive strollers from any potential harm that they don’t notice the chaos they’re causing around them. And when they park their behemoth stroller beside someone like Tom, the handle practically invades his personal space.
Imagine trying to enjoy a meal with a stroller handle looming over you. It’s enough to make anyone furious, and it’s no wonder Tom ends up thinking, “These parents are so self-centered.” And what about that giant stroller? Ugh, the frustration is palpable.
Then, Tom steps out onto a narrow sidewalk only to find himself stuck behind yet another giant stroller. It’s like trying to navigate through Midtown during rush hour with someone who’s wielding a giant golf umbrella—annoying and totally unnecessary.
Finally, Tom manages to sidestep the Jerks and decides to grab a coffee on his way home. Enter me—an unsuspecting mom with my tiny stroller, doing my best to be considerate. But to Tom, all he sees is another oversized stroller and an inconsiderate parent. So, he waits an extra moment just to get a little satisfaction from slamming the door in my face, feeling justified in his annoyance.
Thanks to the Jerks, many parents face unfair judgment from people like Tom. If you have a baby, you’re automatically seen as a nuisance. This means doors don’t get held open, sidewalks aren’t cleared, and common courtesies vanish. I’m fed up with it.
Listen, Jerks, it’s time to be more mindful of your massive strollers. Yes, having a baby is a big deal for you, but honestly, the rest of us don’t owe you a red carpet treatment everywhere you go. And let’s be real—you live just around the corner, so do you really need to haul a carry-on-sized diaper bag filled with 20 diapers, snacks, and every toy imaginable for a short outing? That’s just overkill.
I know it might sound hypocritical to ask these parents to be more considerate so that I can get more courtesy in return. But really, all I’m asking for is basic decency. I always hold the door open for anyone struggling, whether it’s a parent with a stroller or someone juggling boxes. Tom would’ve held that door open for me if the Jerks hadn’t already soured his morning.
So, if you’re looking for more insights on navigating parenthood and the challenges that come with it, check out this related blog post here. And if you’re in the market for at-home insemination kits, I recommend visiting Make A Mom for reputable options. Plus, for anyone looking into fertility questions, UCSF’s resource is a fantastic place to start.
In summary, we all share public spaces, and a little consideration goes a long way. If we can encourage kindness and awareness among parents, perhaps we can all enjoy our outings a little more peacefully.
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