Poppy and I have been attending a story time for bobblers (children who more than babies, not quite toddlers) once a week since the beginning of September. During the first week or so, I noticed that Poppy was on the younger end of the age spectrum, as most of the kids were already walking and jumping and clapping. Oh well, at least it’s an hour out of the house for us each week, right? I’ll admit, I did feel like we were a little out of place for sure. The library we patron is most definitely in the ‘burbs. Like North Face jackets, khaki capris, SUV-heaven suburbs. And not to mention the holier-than-thou attitude from moms who clearly wake up at 6AM just to shower and put make-up on for story time. Poppy and I show up sleepy eyed, but eager, if that counts for anything here.
From day one, I kind of felt like the new kid in junior high. We were different, clearly. I had a mom walk her almost two-year-old son over to us and said, “Oh your baby is so young to be doing story time!” and then proceeded to snicker over in the corner with some other mamas how they should just start their own group with the more advanced children. Ok, whatever. Bite me.
Anyway, Poppy was really enjoying the story time, especially watching these kids run and play and sing along to all the songs. We were fine sitting on the side and observing the suburban culture at it’s finest. And of course, watching the librarian blow bubbles all over the room is always AWESOME no matter your age or socio-economic class.
This week, something wonderful happened. After the first song “Choo-Choo” was over, all the babies and mamas started clapping, which is routine of course. Except, my little Poppy looked gleefully around the room and started clapping too! And clapping, and clapping, and clapping! I can’t tell you how excited I was for her. She was joining in the fun. My heart literally swelled with pride. Of course, no one was paying attention to this, but I was. I called Jacob on the way home, “She clapped with the kids!” My eyes still fill up with tears when I think about it. I have thus far successfully raised a little girl who can clap! Or maybe it’s that I see her growing up and I watch her love on other kids and play with them and smile at them and talk to them and poke them in the eye and clap with them! She may not own the latest GAP clothes or ride in style in the back seat of a silver Land Rover, but my god, she loves to clap!
She is beautiful! Those other moms are mean but who cares Poppy has you! She is lucky to have you….you believe in her and the prof is there:o) She loves story time and loves it soooo much, she is clapping!!! That is huge:o) My Sophie is 7 months and I think we will start going to storytime too! I love reading your blog…because you encourage me to be the mom i want to be:o) without worry of what others think! I’m a stay home mommy too and understand where u are coming from in all your blogs:o) i loook forward to your blogs everyday!
Go, Poppy!!!
When Elliott was a teensy one, I had the same problem with story time/mama’s groups…I was usually the youngest mama there, having commuted myself into the burbs from our little rental in Little Italy, and my little guy was the only one not dressed to the nines in Janie and Jack (have you ever stepped foot in that store? ohmygoodness. I’ve had paychecks that tallied to less than an infant’s layette there.) Unfortunately, I wound up dropping out of two different groups for that exact reason, and I regret it now (although it is what eventually led me to APC, so I’m grateful for that). Now I just suck it up and laugh to myself when I hear a little one tell their chagrined mama that I have a nose ring. (which happened this past Tuesday, and it was at least mildly amusing.) :)
Thanks for the kind words, Michele!
I have not joined any playgroups yet because of that exact reason. Sometimes mamas are mean! There is one tomorrow at the library and I’m going to attempt to go. No, really, I am this time. You have just given me the oomph to go in there and give the ol’ “Whatev” to the Gucci in the front row. You rock! Yeah for clapping Pop! I love that she’s waving so hard you can’t even see her hands in the picture. Wowza lady Jane!
I am glad your story had a happy ending bc I was getting really pissed reading the beginning. I hate people like that, I really have issues with people who try to boost their poor self esteem by trying to bring others down.
ha ha ha. that’s funny. i LOVE her clap!!
my fave are the moms that roll in with name brand pj/lounge clothes..make-up and a tossled ponytail…like they only had time to half get ready.
I am happy if I remember to take a cloth to the Craunlets faces, and have helped them at least sort-of match their shirts to their bottoms. Lakewood library has good reading programs…and the demographic is fairly mixed which is nice…