Yesterday, I was in a massive line at the Dollar Tree with my kids and an older, single woman behind me decided this would be a awesome time to engage me about her memories, thoughts and opinions of child rearing. As a current, active mom, this is not the time. Seeing me in public, with my children, is seeing me at work. If I were a pilot, I’d be trying to land the plane.

I have a shopping list, a purse with cash, keys and credit cards, we’re surrounded by a crowd of people of unknown status, there is a nearby door that opens onto a busy parking lot, rickety displays overflowing with items are leaning precariously into the aisle and my two overstimulated kids begging for treats and toys. I would like to get all of us through the line, pay for and bag my items while keeping my kids from knocking things down, rough housing, losing clothing items, touching things or each other, or wandering off. I simply do not have the mental or emotional capacity to take advice, musings or judgements from a total stranger.