As a kid, I was a parent’s worst nightmare, mostly because I would announce to the neighbors my father farted at dinner or my mom had old food in the fridge. I constantly overshared, spilling family secrets to anyone who would listen. Now Mom and Dad are thankful that I not only have my own family to spread my T.M.I. (too much information), but that I have this blog, which reaches the literate in Northern Utah.
Karma is in full bloom now. I have a toddler who participates in the classic overshare. This seems to be a common problem for parents, which leads to some extremely awkward situations.
Example: Scarlett and I perusing the frozen-food aisles at Walmart when a rather large woman zoomed by on her Jazzy. My adorable child then pointed and stated a point of fact, “That woman is giant.” This poor woman turned, looking down at this nasty creature, then glared up at me as if I’d coached her. Unless Scarlett is a mind reader, she came up with this comment all on her own.
Example: My sister’s oldest followed her to the front door when the bell rang. The FedEx man, who happened to be black, was dropping off a box when her 5-year-old said, “You look like Barack Obama.” Yet again, a child stating a point of fact that mom really doesn’t need blurted out.
Example: A friend’s son recalls a lesson taught from Mommy when he wanted more ice cream. She explained to him that too much ice cream makes you fat and unhealthy. Later, while walking from the park, the boy walks past an overweight person, saying, “He must have eaten a lot of ice cream.”
These comments aren’t lies. In fact, this kind of honestly is often refreshing, and it makes me wish most adults could cut through the crap, say it like it is. I just wish Scarlett’s timing could be a bit better. She’s too young to understand what comments should be made and when. Until then, I guess I just have to stick with my apologetic grimace.
Adults seem to have this overshare problem too — I’m looking at you Congressman Weiner.
