"A letter to the stranger who mummy-shamed me."

In another example of ‘mind your own business’…

Last week we had the ‘pleasure’ of coming across each other in the waiting area of Medicare. You, clutching your coffee and patiently awaiting your ticket number to be called and me, frantically dealing with an overtired child and a list of errands as long as your arm.

You noticed when my toddler became cranky. You watched as I tried to distract him with food and games. You saw as I tried ‘hushing’ and rocking the pram like a mad woman. I knew he was loud, I knew it was frustrating for other people. So I pulled out my phone and turned on Peppa Pig to buy myself (and everyone else in the room) 3 minutes of peace.

For some reason you thought it was a good time to tell me “what a shame it was” that parents “like me” resorted to using technology to amuse our kids.

I get it. Back in your day parenting was different. I’m not saying it was easier, I’m just saying it was different. Now, we live in a modern age where technology is all around us. Not that it’s your business, but my kids don’t actually get to watch a lot of TV, but sometimes, like the day we met, I allow them to watch something or play an educational game on my phone to get done what I have to get done.

You didn't have that option when you were parenting but tell me, if you did, would you have used it? I'm guessing yes.

Tell me, did you also work most of the week with two children at home with you? Did you have family around to assist when you needed help or were you doing it solo like me? I don't know your circumstances, so I guess I have no right to judge you, like you don't have a right to judge me.

Going by your age, I'm guessing you've been out of the young child parenting game for a while. Perhaps you spent the morning enjoying coffees and catch ups with friends. Maybe it was your day off and you too were running errands. I actually don't care because much like I felt was the case with your judgement of my situation, it was none of my god damn business.

But seeing as though you judged, let me give you a run down of my morning.

After being up half the night with pregnancy related nausea and a sick child, I woke my boys up at five am. We then made the commute two and a half hours to drop my son at preschool. We are between houses and this was the only way I could accept a position for him in our new location.

Not that you're interested but my youngest gets car sick. We stopped twice but he still ended up vomiting all over the car. The kids fought the rest of the way and my youngest sat in his nappy because his clothes were soaked. The car smelled delightful.

After dropping my son at preschool, I had to run errands with my youngest (including buying him some new clothes). I work four days a week so this was my only available time.

While I was at the shops I got a call from my bank telling me my savings account had been 'compromised'. I had constant emails and messages from work reminding me of the stack of things I had to finish when the kids went to bed.

I played the role of counsellor to my father who suffers chronic depression while juggling an overtired, grumpy toddler.

I knew my time was running out and nap time was fast approaching. That, and I had to travel back to pick up my son. All in all, it takes me about 5-6 hours of travel a day. You can image how happy my kids are by the time we get home.

I had to go to Medicare to attend to a minor issue. I knew my son was over it and I was doing my best to manage the situation. I was sick, he was sick and I was exhausted.

I'm sorry that you felt 'disappointed' that 'parents like me' resort to using technology to entertain our kids. But guess what, parents like me are simply doing the best job they can, just like I'm sure you did if in fact you were ever a parent. Next time, rather than offering a struggling mother some unhelpful, judgmental comments, instead try a reassuring smile and acknowledgement that she is having a bloody rough day.

What's the most unhelpful comment you've ever received from a stranger?

Want more? Try:

A note to other working mums.

How this mum responded when she was shamed for breastfeeding in public is the best.

Follow iVillage on Facebook

When you become a parent, you don't leave your brain in the delivery suite. That's why mothers with kids of all ages come to themotherish.com; because they're still interested in news about entertainment, health, current affairs and food along with an inspiring and useful stream of parenting advice and support.

Most importantly, they come because they want to hear personal stories of parenting directly from other mothers, without fear of judgement.

[iv-signup-form]