Dogs don't bite me...

I, uhhh, "borrowed" that title from a friend. I didn't ask permission. Sorry, M... I hope you don't mind. Edit: I asked permission later and she gave me the "OK." I am saving the conversation in case she ever denies it ;)

I have always thought that you can tell what a person is like by how he or she treats animals. You know, the assholes who "hate" animals or say stupid things like "I'll kick that dog out of my way" are just (let's face it), IMO, bad people.

Lately I have been watching mothers. I don't know that you can be a good mother if you're a bad person, but I'm just a mother and a person... and not qualified to judge.

Anyway... as previously stated (did I state it here or in my other blog?), I have been taking a hiatus from groups lately. I still communicate and/or get out with my guy on my own, or with DH, and/or with some friends who have accepted me for who I am, faults and all. It's so much less EXHAUSTING now. I'm working my way back to group things though, here and there, because I do see value in them. In the meantime, I have been observing the dynamics of groups if and when I see them; it's actually been pretty interesting.

There seem to be many mothers who get out to do group activities predominantly for themselves. Nothing wrong with that; I see the need for moms, particularly SAHMs, to socialize. But should they do this while the children fall to the wayside? IMO, good mothers almost always (if not always) put the needs of their children before theirs (unless, of course, their needs need to be met to meet the child's). But is it right to blatantly ignore (or by annoyed by) the children when you're out at a play date?I'm not even really talking about mothers with their own children. I am talking about how some mothers act/react/ignore every child that is not their own. I always try to greet, play with, or at least address the presence of another child when I am out on a play date. Why not?? They are why we're there, after all, and most of the time why we know each other. And they are ALL adorable (I have yet to meet a non-adorable child), even when they're oozing from every orifice. OK, I wave at those kids from across the playground, but still I wave. :)

Not all moms are user-friendly when it comes to children. It's almost like the moms who don't address the presence of their "playdate mate"'s child(ren) are socially inept. I don't know.