“So apparently, I’ve earned the title of meanest mom ever.
After dinner, I took the kids to Dairy Queen. They each picked their favorite treat, and we waited for our number to be called. A young girl, maybe 17, handed them their ice creams with a smile.
Not one of my kids looked her in the eye. Not one said thank you. Not to her, not even to me.
So I waited. Ten slow seconds in my head. They dug into their cones, happy as could be, and walked straight out the door. The young lady just glanced at me, probably wondering what was wrong.
Outside, I calmly gathered all three ice creams… and dropped them into the trash. My kids froze. Then came the tears, the outrage, the cries of betrayal. I stood quiet, calm, waiting.
When the noise finally faded, I explained. One day, if you’re lucky, you’ll work a job like hers. And when you do, I hope the people you serve will see you — really see you. I hope they’ll look you in the eye and say thank you.
We’re too old at 8, 7, and 5 to forget kindness. Too old to walk through the world without basic manners, without simple human decency.
So yes. Today I’m the meanest mom alive. And I’m proud of it.”
