A word about glaring...

Y'all.

I just need to say it because it's on my mind. This is the best way I know to get it off, and I am sharing it with all y'all, whoever happens to read this.

There is a woman who glares at my children.

(allowing space here for your gasps, loud sighing, and groaning too deep for words.)

the story begins thusly:

My children love going to the YMCA. When we arrive, they are excited, and Ethan in particular has trouble containing said excitement. Let's just say that his high energy level came to him naturally...um, hello, it's not a coincidence that I started running and still like to run long distances. However.

I also try very hard to be socially aware and create social consciouness in my children of the world and people around them.

With this in mind, we review the rules before we ever get out of the car, namely to use his inside voice, no running or yelling, remember that people work here, etc. Guess what? He seems to "get it." He's gotten so much better. But if the Kid's Corner isn't open on time, as sometimes happens, and we are waiting? He waits with me while bouncing, humming, laughing. He makes up little games while we wait. I am very hyper aware of making sure that he doesn't get too loud or too squirrelly, and I am mentally pleading, "Please, please open, Kids Corner! This kid is going to blow!"

(I am basically working up a sweat before I ever start my workout...which, now that I think about it, could be concidered a good warm up. Hey! COOL!)

Most days, it's fine. But once or twice a week, there is another mom who comes to work out, and she brings her two daughters with her. They are practically perfect in every way. They stand still and do not so much as figit or squirm. And I always dread seeing her walk up because...she glares at us. Every time. And it hurts my feelings.

In case you think I'm paranoid, let me tell you that it is just this one lady. All of the other mothers are kind, totally not above smiling or saying "hello" or actually allowing their children to interact with mine, to even maybe giggle with mine while we all wait. But glaring lady, If her child even starts to look like she might want to approach my son, says something like "So and so*," (*Not the child's real name) Come here. Stand right next to me." So that squelches any chance of our kids ever becoming friends. But I think that's her point. And lest she thinks I don't get it, don't worry, I get it.

Now, I know that her unhappiness has nothing to do with me. I know that mornings are often stressful, it might have been difficult getting out the door, and she is probably anxious to get to her exercise class, and that if I were to see her afterwards she might be the most jovial of individuals you ever did see. Or she might just be an unhappy person all together, who feels that she has no control in her own life. I get that. I really do. I just don't like being the target of her subtle aggression. I espescially don't like for my children to be the targets of her subtle aggression.

Maybe before she gets out of her car, someone needs to remind her to be socially aware, too.

In the meantime, I'd just be happy not to be glared at.

"Exercise releases endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't kill people...They just don't." -Elle Woods