Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Judgement by Bisquick

I like to think I have a pretty tough skin. It really takes quite a bit to rile me up usually...unless you're Isaac, in which case my fuse is relatively short--but that's a different story. But last night, I let someone get under my skin, and it's not a position I like. Because I find that instead of getting angry, I was hurt and a little humiliated. Why is it that other moms find the need to judge instead of support? I was judged, the gavel was slammed...all at what was supposed to be a supportive and open environment...a La Leche League meeting of all places.

Now, before I start, let me say that I LOVE La Leche League. It is an amazing support group with lots of great breastfeeding advice. It is a great place to go to get solid, reliable breastfeeding information and to make a few great friends, too. I have had nothing but really positive experiences there...until last night.

The meeting's topic was innocent enough: nutrition and weaning. Since none of the moms in attendance last night were in the weaning stage, we focused on nutrition and foods/ideas for feeding toddlers and families in general. We split into groups to brainstorm ideas. Our group was thinking of easy snacks for toddlers and then a list of snacks that "take some work." I start by offering the suggestion of goldfish. My kids eat them by the gallon, and I know a lot of moms whose diaper bag isn't complete without a baggie full of the cheesy little dudes. I was met with a horrified stare from one of the other moms in my group. (Let me mention there were only three of us, and our other member was one of the LLL leaders.) My next suggestion...diced fruit. I throw in there that if you want to buy the fruit cups you can usually get them in fruit juice instead of syrup...another disgusted stare. I'm kind of confused at this point. I didn't know it was criminal to feed your kids fruit that wasn't organic and freshly chopped. Okay. We're going kinda crunchy at this meeting. I can do crunchy. Better not suggest Quaker granola bars...think, Rachel, think. Then I remember raisins and fruit leather...two things my kids really like sometimes. Um, didn't you know those are terrible for little teeth? Wow. My face is starting to get hot, and I'm beginning to feel like a bad mom. Like I'm somehow harming my kids by what I feed them. Better not mention their weekly dose of chicken nuggets and french fries...so instead, I chuckle sheepishly and jokingly say, "We really don't eat all that well at our house. Ha ha ha {nervous giggle}."

At this point, I pretty much stopped contributing to the conversation and listened to this mom talk about homemade teething biscuits sweetened with applesauce, homemade granola, and a whole host of Auntie Anne's organic whatevers. I also did catch her say she couldn't get her two year old to eat much...hmmm, wonder why...

Anyway, near the end of our brainstorming session, our leader mentions something about make-ahed quiche and I remember this great quiche recipe I have that's super easy and my kids love! So I pipe up with this idea, "it's really easy to make, you just use ground beef, a little cheese, eggs and bisquick! My kids love it!" This woman about fell off her chair. I look at her and say, "what, is bisquick bad?" She responds with an indignant little chortle, "yeah, it's bad. I GUESS YOU GUYS DO EAT REALLY BADLY, HUH?" As if I am putting rat poison in their cereal (artificially sweetened, of course). I turned my chair the opposite direction and tried to hide the embarrassment on my face.

I have to say, this was the first time I have ever felt like I was being judged for my parenting style. I know that there are a million points to disagree with on every parenting front...but at the end of the day, my kids are happy, healthy, smart and very loved. But, by God, I will feed them bisquick and they will like it. And, if anyone is interested in my quickie quiche recipe, I'll be happy to post it. But realize you are taking your own and your children's lives into your own hands. I wash my hands of it. May God bless us Bisquick users, every one.

14 comments:

mp said...

are you kidding me? how crazy are those moms? seriously i can't stand people like that. sure eat healthy and crunchy and do whatever you want but don't make mean faces and rude comments at other moms who don't! that just pisses me off. seriously, i would've walked out of there.

Sandra said...

I can't believe you didn't tear that mom a new place to let the bs run from. I am infuriated right now about this. Maybe I should join LLL so I can tell this mom where to stick it.
I think you are an amazing mom and some times (like yesterday) I think to myself WWRD. I would love to know your Bisquick recipe and any others you may have, our family likes to eat as badly as possible.

Katy said...

Apparently that mom doesn't have social skills OR a brain! Don't let it get to you, I think you are a super mom (seriously)!

Rachel S. said...

That would have ticked me off too Rachel...though I may have cried considering all my crazy hormones right now. The lady's bisquick comment reminds me of the High-fructose corn syrup commercials..."You know what they say, don't you?"....
I'm with you on the gold fish, fruit cups...and really whatever. Most people I know that are exclusively organic and homemade have kids that don't/won't eat anything...like you, I wonder why:)

Oh, and Marie, I can't imagine you just walking out. I'm sure you would have said something to get her :)

Angie said...

Ugh, what is her name so I can go lay a smack down. If feeding the things you listed are bad then I need to be in mommy jail. Judd eats goldfish by the pound!

You are a GREAT mom Rachel. I bet that lady didnt make 4 gorgeous Halloween costumes either.

Unknown said...

I guarantee you that lady is very unhappy in her organic land and by the way she treats people, probably very lonely with poor hungry children.

Shoot our cats even eat goldfish crackers.. they aint skeered!

Please post your quiche recipe, sounds yummy! I think about you and your supermom ways all the time Rachel. Please think of how much your friends look up to you and don't let one lady you don't even know bring you down. You rock our socks off right?

Inglifi: Disrespectful Crunchy women. (I'm all bout being crunchy when it's done in good taste)

Julie said...

No goldfish?! No bisquick?! I think she was an alien in disguise. A very rude alien. She should take her evil judgment back to the mother ship from wence it came, and her nasty teething biscuits too...

Julie said...

I meant "whence." :)

Anonymous said...

You know what, I would of laid into that woman...Look's like she is a little wacko, your one of the best D**n moms ever, and your kids eat better than most adults, present company included!! wonder what she'd think of me..tattooed out, and I talk about pizza, more than anything!! HA, ohwell dont let mom NAZIS get you down, your more amazing than most!! :)
Your SISTER

Erika said...

WEll, I personally do not like bisquick but I have not had anything come ot tasting good wit it. If I want biscuits I buy the stuff in a can and if I want pancakes, i make my hubby make them.

I am trying to go organic but my kids eat cookies and cake! and marshmallows and nuggets and i do not buy goldfish because I eat them....I have no place for the league; my experience with them was HORRIBLE. Grrrrr. granola eating and hemp wearing weirdo.

Ashley said...

Gimme da bitches name! I'll show her where she can stick her homemade teething biscuits! Seriously I would not have taken that from her!! GRR! This has me all ticked and I wasn't even there! How dare somebody act like your a bad mom when you are super mom! My kid eats better at your house than she does at mine! lol...

BTW...I SOOO want that quiche recipe! Bisquick rocks!

Anonymous said...

you know I just cant get over this lady, you should of high 5'ed her face, consectiveley.

you can always say,
"you think your hot snot on a silver platter, but your realy cold bugers on a paper plate, it came from the river, it came from the LAKE"! WORD

Unknown said...

Thanks Rachel, if you're comparing me to you then I Know I'm a good looker!!!! =) Cus darlin' you ARE gorgeous!

Oh it was Pert PLUS, guess the plus part is flirting.

shessi: Jackie's new word for a hussy. Jackie was such a shessi in high school! ;)

* I'm curious... do you ever describe your word verification word on your comments and then forget to actually fill it out in the blank like me??

Laura said...

Hi there! I popped over from Marie's journal. I've never been to a LLL meeting, but they would probably be horrified at what my 3 year old eats, or should I say, doesn't eat as it is a battle to get food into him. I am just thrilled to have chicken nuggets and french fries actually in his tummy! There is only so much you can do and yeah, whilst I may have some ideal with #2 that we'll do organic and homemade baby food, the reality will more likely hit me fast and my ideals will be crumbling around me. Anyway, wanted to pipe up and support you here!