We where at the park yesterday with a group of moms that I had just met for the first time. It was like a play date kind of thing. My daughter was trying to do a cartwheel and I decided to show off a bit of my gymnastic talent and decided to do one myself. I didn't realize how close I was to a tree with low branches, but when I came back up my hair got stuck in one of the branches and I couldn't get it off, so in a way I was kind of just hanging there. All this people had to come and help me, and this man had to actually break one of the branches off, then he gave me this big serious lecture about how I don't need to be doing that so close to a tree and all the dangers of doing so. It was so embarrassing. My own kids where laughing their heads off. The other moms kind of just walked away from me and ignored me for the rest of the time. I don't think I could ever go back to the group of moms again. When I told my husband about it, he couldn't stop laughing, especially when my kids kept giving him a reenactment. I know I'll laugh about it later, but what's the fastest way to get over it now?
Hey, where do you live? Because I would love to have a mom in my group of friends who has the nerve to do a cartwheel in front of a bunch of kids and mom's that you've never met before. So what that you got stuck, it will be a fond memory for years to come. Maybe you just need to find a new group of mommies to hang out with!
I agree with all these other moms! If the other moms just walked away, they're not the kind of people you want to be friends with, or have around your kids. Laugh it off! We all have our moments. I'm sure that those other moms have, too, they're just not willing to admit it. Life's more fun when you're able to laugh at yourself! It's also a good time to show your kids that adults aren't perfect, and it's how you deal with what life throws at you that matters.
Everybody has a moment. Just laugh it off when you see the moms. Don't act as though you are so embarrassed (even though you are).
If the group of moms you were with shun you because of that....you were not in a good group anyway.
At least your kids know they don't have an uptight mom that won't jump in and have fun with them. Albeit sometimes embarrassing herself. I'd much rather have a mom that would have fun with me vs being prudish and uptight all the time.
C., thanks for the good laugh. I can see me embarassing myself in some sort of similar fashion. I often feel like the odd person even with those folks I know (neighbors, friends, etc.). It's an uncomfortable feeling, but first, you can't be all that emabarrased becasuse you were able to post this. Second, with all these wonderful responses, I hope you feel much better. It would have been a lot worse if your children would have walked away embarrassed, right?
As for those mothers, perhaps they were afraid to laugh for fear they'd hurt you? Or perhaps they walked away because they didn't want to hear that guy's lecture and didn't know how to tell him off (or if they should). Often when you are conflicted with what to do/how to act, you tend not to do anything. This isn't always the right thing either. At any rate, it doesn't matter. There are obviously a lot of mothers out there that you can hang with where you will feel more comfortable. You shouldn't feel embarassed for being yourself. :)
C. those other Moms sound really snooty to me. Why would they walk away? I would have stayed there and helped ( and laughed...with you not at you) and then continued with our conversation after the man got you "free". You seem like a really fun Mom to me. I mean what Mom would do a cartwheel in the park while playing with her children? A fun one!!!! Call me anytime we'll meet you at the park. Good Luck and PLEASE don't let it worry you!
I agree with the other 2...laugh it off, you and your kids have a great memory. When you're 80 - you'll all still be laughing about it! :o) Joke with the other moms and if they don't laugh or shun you - good ridance!!!
I've done plenty of "goofy" things in my time - we all do. Anyone who says they haven't is lying! :o)
Thanks for sharing :o) and good luck!
Yes - you will get over it soon enough.
Can I ask you a HUGE favor? Please don't go hang with those moms again....if they just walked away from you and then basically ignored you - I surely would not want my children to be seeing this type of behavior from an adult!!!
You were doing the cool thing...trying to hand and be a fun momma!!!! Good for you...I'd be afraid to do a cartwheel!!!! I admire that you are able to do these things for your kids!!!! DON"T WORRY!!!! Smile!
What a great story!!! If that were video taped you would definitely be the one laughing - because the prize money you would win on one of those "Funniest" shows would pay for your children's college tuition!!! (You would, of course, be the grand prize winner).
I am laughing becuase I so often do things and think, "Wow - if this were a movie set, they'd probably have to do so many takes to complete the ridiculous things I do in one take naturally." Your "head stuck in branch" scene would have probably been an all day shoot -- see how talented you are?
Honestly, I think that when you meet some women who can appreciate your funny story (which I hope you will offer in lavish detail), you will have found yourself a nice group of friends. Remember, learning to laugh at yourself is a wonderful ability to pass on to your children. How you handle this will guide them in how they handle future embarrassing situations of their own.
I hope you will continue to be the mom who gets up to do the cartwheels, and that you meet friends who will then applaude for you -- or pull you out of a tree -- whichever is needed to be done first : )
Warmly,
S.
Shun you for that? LOL....did you have on a skirt and thong or forget your bloomers? c'mon, that is funny and no reason to ignore you. I would actually like to know how they could not have laughed, I hope they atleast helped you.
I fell off my son's pogo stick last year and they all still get a kick out of that, me too!
I know it has to feel bad that they left you, but, it may be for the best and the guy....he may have just did a mommy move where we give that talk when one of the kids scare us.
LOL..I can hear my Dad saying that to me, but, not meaning it mean, just worried like we do.
keep flying that fun flag girl!
Picture someone else doing the exact same thing. You'll laugh...believe me. Then you'll see the true comedy in it and get over it. Try not to focus on it too much. Those other moms will forget about it long before you will. It's a great memory for you and your family. Next time you see those moms...and make it a point to see them...say something like "okay, it's your turn to do the gymnastics." They'll laugh or not and you can move on.
Right on to the mama's replying - you kick butt as the fun mom. The lecturing guy needed to get a grip - was he somebody's grandpa? (LOL). Those mom's sound like party poopers - you need to find a group of women that would have the same reaction as your kids, but of course more helpful :)
Good for you for joining in on the fun with your kids!
The fastest way to get over it is to remind yourself that this won't even matter a month, maybe even a week from now. When I am feeling like you, I also tell myself, "If this is the biggest thing in my life that I am worrying about right now, my life must be going pretty well."
Like the other moms have said, you must be a pretty fun person to "hang" around:)
When I started to read this post I thought you were gonna say you passed gas or wet your pants or something... I am laughing trying to visualize you stuck in the tree... i think it would have made my day and you and i would have a huge laugh over it. i never would have walked away from you... don't let those snobs get you down. everyone has done something embarrassing in their life time. they were probably the "mean girls" in school who made themselves feel beter by makeing everyone else miserable.
Keep up the cartwheels!
A. J
Ok, this sounds like something I would do. Why would that man lecture you? Sheesh...he needs to get a grip.
And the other women just walked away from you???? That's their problem.
My best advice is to just laugh next time. Seriously, just laugh at yourself, & then bring it up as a joke later on. Say, "Hey, remember that time I...?"
By the way, keep doing cartwheels. It keeps you young mentally!
