Wonderwoman: I think i will try the comment "I would rather be having a Margarita and listening to Jimmy Buffett . . " that is great!
I just ignore those rude people. One thing though, I have total empathy when I see another parent going through the same thing with one of their children - I have even offered a hand to a few!
I am currently reading a book called the Bipolar Child. There is a portion on how to deal with the looks and comments people give parents when their child is having a meltdown. Following is an excerpt from the book:
Parents have some choices: They can ingnore the comments, or they can choose to give a simple explanation, such as: "He has a neurological brain disorder that causes him to have something like a behavioral seizure. It is called early-onset bipolar disorder." Either way, the parent is going to feel criticized, humilited, infantalized, incompetent, and extremely angry and stressed. One mother girds herself and takes control of such situations without even speaking. She hands the advice-giver a card while her son is on the floor kicking and screaming. On it is printed:
Thank you for your advice and concern. My son is suffering with early-onset biopolar disorder, a neurological brain disorder which causes him to feel very irritable and anxious and culminates in tantrums and rages such as you are now witnessing. Screaming and threatening inflame the situation and are damaging to this child.
Because it is obvious that you are concerned about this kind of behavior, may I suggest that you contact the Juvenile Bipolar Research Foundation at 973-275-0400 to learn more about this devastating illiness of childhood and - if you can please make a donation to support research so that no child should ever have to contend with this level of emotions in a little body and a developing brain. Thank You.
I plan on making some index cards with something like this. I don't like the part about asking for a donation. But I think this can be adapted to cover what ever dx our children may have. When I read this I finally felt empowered to do something about those judgemental people who glare at us.
NOW I CAN EXHALE
THANK YOU SO VERY VERY MUCH
Or if you don't want to share, you could just stare them down like I do LOL.Amen Cheesehead...I think I will do the same. Ya know sometimes I just want to say to those people that point and make comments that I would much rather be sitting at home drinking a margarita and listening to Jimmy Buffet than drag my daughter into a store knowing she will more than likely get overstimulated and cause a scene, but seeing as I am out out milk I had to venture out in the real world. I really hate the ones that say "Well if that was my daughter I would beat her butt! I would love to see them try to manage. She would probably wear them out before they got a chance to spank her. I really wish I had a sign sometimes that read....You think you could do better? Well I really don't think they could or would want to even attempt to walk in my shoes. Hats off to all the mom's out there trying to make a life for themselves and their family!!!!!!!!