B.A.
Everyone these days feels they have a right to a piece of your life. They have an opinion about just about everything they see others say and do. The unfortunate part is following the simple rule "if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything". If I ask for an opinion, I will ask for the good the bad and the ugly and consider the opinion and move on with what I feel is right for my family. No one ever seems to take the time anymore to consider others feelings and what the family may be going through at this time in their lives. My example is my life: people see me as a Mom who doesn't discipline enough, lets her child run wild and doesn't ever brush the childs hair... well if you ask, I brushed it probably 12 times today, she is being tested for autism, has sensory disorder( so right after you brush her hair she is out of sorts and rubs her arms all over her head until it looks like it has not been brushed in weeks). By the way that snapshot is not all that is happening, I have 3 kids 7,4 and 5mo, a Dad who has stage 4 lung cancer with full memory loss at times, Mom just diagnosed with Kidney failure and work nights. So as you can see, seeing me in the parking lot at the grocery store doesn't give a picture of everything my life is or has to be. Let her comments go, do what you feel is best for your family and if others are disappointed or judgemental in you, they might very well be disappointed in themselves. Maybe this woman is struggling with the fact that she forced her kids to grow up too soon, and sees that your kids love you and want to be around you.
Hope this helps you let her comments go and celebrate the lives you have created.
Barbara