Seen And Not Heard

Today we went out for a lovely breakfast with my mum who was visiting. At the table next to us, two young women sat enjoying coffee. They were glamorous, with nicely done make up and crisp fashionable clothing. When they first sat down I had smiled to myself.

Harper began to let out some happy squeals. I noticed one of the women looking over at us, I felt her looks were not those we usually experience from people cooing over her, but I felt perhaps I was being paranoid. However, I then heard her say to the other “she shouldn’t really be here”. I was shocked. I hadn’t even considered someone would have an issue with a baby at breakfast. The restaurant had high chairs so they were obviously used to having children. It was then that each time Harper made a sound the lady’s head would snap towards us and would be followed by either a tut or an eye roll.

I began to feel hot and flustered. I began to shush Harper and each sound she made my anxiety grew. We had finished eating and despite my husband saying we should let it go and stay, we swiftly made our exit. I considered saying something to the two women but I didn’t want to come across as a crazed, sleep deprived maniac so I didn’t.

Should children still be seen and not heard in our society? Are there acceptable and unacceptable times to hear babies making sounds, and what are these? Had Harper been crying uncontrollably I would have gotten up and taken her outside whilst she calmed down but her noises were happy and weren’t constant. It wasn’t a restaurant at dinner time past the watershed, it was a breakfast and there were other families present.

I wondered if I would have been like that pre children, I like to think I wouldn’t of but who knows. I hope someday these women have children of their own and realise their ignorance, but in the same breath I hope they never have to experience it like I did today.

Hang in there mamas, we got this.