This post is not to extol my virtues as a mother.

it is not about comparing..

It is not about casting the proverbial stone.

I am writing because it is the only way I can get this off my shoulder.

Yesterday my son had a friend coming over to our house. They have been in the same class since we came to Australia.

Two days ago the mother of the child phoned me to ask
1. My ethnic background
2.my educational background
3.my financial background ( Do you live in your own house or rented!!)
4. How long I have been to Qld
5. Prior to coming to Qld, where all I have lived!!!
I was pretty tempted to tell her “get a life” and slam the phone down.
But my son really looked forwarded to having his friend over, so I controlled my temper.
She then wanted to know what games the kids will be playing? do we have a dog? Is there a swimming pool? Do I let the children out if it is sunny?
Ok.. this is really extreme I thought. My son was standing next to me and he literally pleaded, please mom, please don’t get angry..
I answered all her questions because I really love my son..

Anyway, finally she brought her son over to my house. Gave him a long list of what he is allowed to do in front of me, so I am aware.
She left.
My son asked if he and his friend could go for a bike ride.
As long as you have your helmet on and follow the road signs, it is fine by me. I replied.
Guess what..my son’s friend has never riden a bicycle in his life. He has never been to the beach. He has never been to a swimming pool. he is not allowed to play any electronic games..

I can’t actually explain my feelings..considering the fact that I probably am not a good role model as a mother and I certainly don’t have the right to judge another mother..but still I am upset..I don’t even know why I am upset. it isn;t my kid..and me getting upset isn’t going to change/alter his life..

But I have a smilar mother. We were not allowed to do cart wheel because a child of her friend died..after doing a cartwheel.. her intestines rolled on to the heart and prevented the heart from beating!!!..( I actually had to study anatomy before I figured what a big lie it was!)
I couldn’t go for swimming because I was already deaf and the water pressure would have burst my ear drum and made me even more deaf.
I couldn’t ride a bike because I was deaf and wouldn’t have heard a truck coming up from behind me, with full intention of ramming in to me and making me a pulp..
My oldest sister couldn’t swim because she was born with weak arms ( That idiot still believes it!!)

Honestly, the four of us would have never survived childhood if it wasnt for my mother..