Seriously, it's like I'm the first person in history to have 3 kids

ghm · July 2011

The comments come and go in spurts. The grocery was extra crowded today. M had been a holy terror at every store, but all the kids were good at the grocery. I got like 500 comments about my 3 kids. I really just respond politely, then laugh or roll my eyes once we walk on...but really, it's like we're a circus freak show.

The manager of the store said "may the lord have mercy on your soul." WTF? They're kids, not wild hyenas I'm trying to tame!

I know, I know...they're just trying to make conversation. I get that it's just what comes to mind. So moms of two, do you get comments, too?

ghm · July 2011

And next time someone says "my, you have your hands full" I'm going to tell them I've been looking to get rid of one, would they care for one?

Another funny observation: older people tend to comment on how cute they are or how it looks like I have good help. It's the middle age/younger people that act like it's so weird to have 3 kids.

Starr57 · July 2011

Maybe the older people are used to large families? I think it's only recently that people stopped having children after just one or two.

AnnapolisLari · July 2011

I get that with 2.

"Wow, your kids are SO cute/charming/funny/smart. But it looks like you really have your hands full."

Yeah, my kids are interested in everything and sometimes they shoot off in different directions, but as you say... not wild hyenas by any stretch.

justEK · July 2011

Maybe we get the comments because they overhear us yelling or getting frustrated with them? But yes, I get them with only two. I would gladly let someone else push them around the store for an hour.

ghm · July 2011

No one makes the comments when I'm mommy dearest, though. It's when we're going through the store in a happy mood, etc.

Jodi&Joe · July 2011

I used to get comments all the time (esp. are they twins?) but not so much anymore. I do get the "oh poor you" looks from time to time but honestly, as much as I LOATHE grocery shopping with them and they, still, by my account, behave like wild hyenas while there -- they have come LIGHT YEARS from where they were even a year ago!

karen6784 · July 2011

ghm:
And next time someone says "my, you have your hands full" I'm going to tell them I've been looking to get rid of one, would they care for one?

Ha, love it! WTF is wrong with people?

mamarazzi · July 2011

OMG. It's the same for me. The "you sure look like you have your hands full" comments make my blood boil. And they never say it when I'm about to lose my sh!t. It's, without fail, when my kids are actually listening and staying by me.

"My goodness! I bet you're sure busy!" gets on my nerves, too.

People are idiots. I expect the side eye when I'm at the grocery store with all three and the older two are pushing the kiddie carts. We're a freaking parade and definitely draw attention to ourselves that way. But the sympathetic looks when DS2 and DD are riding quietly in the stroller and DS1 is obediently holding onto the jogging strap? Annoying.

MotherBucker · July 2011

try having 5.

ghm · July 2011

MotherBucker:
try having 5.

No thanks.

superslug · July 2011

My boys are 18mo. apart and get mistaken for twins a lot so most of the comments are about that...we were leaving Target one day and I overheard a girl tell her boyfriend as we walked by "If I had twins I'd shoot myself in the head". It just floored me. The boys were just sitting quietly in the basket, too, not acting up or anything. She was a teenager so I kinda took it with a grain of salt but I was still shocked.I can only imagine the number of comments moms of actual twins get!

tbabe · July 2011

Ugh! I was just complaining about this to my husband. It's so annoying. Today at Costco, the 3rd person who told me that i really have my hands full asked if my children were all mine to which i responded yes. He then proceeds to say "her too"? about my 3 yo (im assuming bc she has blond curly hair and the rest of us are brunette?idk) and i just said, "go away."

veloelle · July 2011

I think people are just trying to make conversation. I don't get it much w/ two kids, every once in awhile. I dunno, those comments don't bother me, and the people who say them probably truly cannot imagine 3 kids. Another consultant I work w/ was on a telcon last week while I was home. We started the call and I said I'd mute my line when the call officially started so that no background noise could be heard (i.e. my hyenas). She says to me and the other person on the line (a dad of small kids) "I don't know how you guys can listen to your kids scream." She was very matter of fact. She's in her late 50's, has no kids and no nieces/nephews. So for her it truly is not something she can understand. I was not offended, I just said "yea, most days I don't want to listen to the scream either, haha!"

Purrrfect433 · July 2011

I get this all.the.time. I think it's more about how close in age our kids are. People usually say "you have your hands full! harharhar". I really resist the urge to say things like, "Fuccking DUH." or "Yes, they're full. Lucky for you, otherwise I'd be flipping you off right now". Older people usually comment with "Such a nice big Catholic family!". My husband always quips under his breath, "Actually, we're devil worshipers" to make me laugh. I always tell young people who goggle, "Don't forget your birthcontroll!!!" in a sing-songy voice;)

cnybride2be · July 2011

Jodi&Joe:

I used to get comments all the time (esp. are they twins?) but not so much anymore. I do get the "oh poor you" looks from time to time but honestly, as much as I LOATHE grocery shopping with them and they, still, by my account, behave like wild hyenas while there -- they have come LIGHT YEARS from where they were even a year ago!

pretty much this. minus the twin thing. i used to get the comments when they were 1 and 3. but 4 and 6 just doesn't come off as too god awful or sympathy worthy i guess.

jenreally · July 2011

I get the "are ALL of them YOURS?" comments. Like three is some Olympic Sport. And one woman even went as far as to say "bless you heart" to me. But I think she actually meant it. Confused

luckyluvr · July 2011

We took DS#2 out for the second time today, and I got my first "hands full" comments when people noticed a newborn, my 2 yo in the basket and my 4 yo. walking next to us. The way my family reacted when I told them about being pregnant with #3, you would think I was crazy and stupid. I told my mom just because she and her sisters thought 2 kids made the perfect family, it doesn't mean that's all I ever wanted. It's funny, too, b/c I have 2 cousins who also have three, and they all got the same comments. Apparently, based on what you all have to say, I can look forward to these comments more frequently.

stacynikki · July 2011

Yes, I get it with two. And it usually comes after they comment on their red hair.

Melett · July 2011

I'm not looking forward to this.. I already get a ton of comments just being pg with #3- "wow, you're brave !" .. My in laws think we are nuts..I really don't think 3 is THAT many tho... People are so annoying..

up2something1 · July 2011

Oddly enough, I either dont hear them, dont get them or dont care. I only have a 4 year old of my own so maybe the fact that I know they are not all mine makes it less offensive if I ever have heard them and put no weight into it, but heres my 3 scenarios-Im a nanny and often have a 4, 3 and 18 month old with me. The two oldest arent even humanly possible they are only 8 months apart. My SO has a 7 and 5 year old so when we are out as a family we have the 7, 5 and 4 year old. If he ever does an activity out with me in the summer when Im working we have all five and I dont know if he intimidates the heck out of people with his size or what but we havent heard much.

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