I Would Like to Take a Moment to Apologize to My Mother

Humiliation.  A screaming child, head thrown back, tears streaking down his face.  People from every dining table looking at us.  I saw no faces as I walked (trying not to run in shame), just a blur of disapproval as I escorted (by escorted I mean grabbed and carried) my child through the restaurant, from the very back of the restaurant mind you, outside to a nice secluded place behind our van where I could administer proper parental attention to such a situation. 

Now any who are concerned at this point in the story, fear not.  No corporal punishment was used, but there surely was corporal punishment going on in my mind.  We had a little "Come-to-Jesus" conversation, in which I expressed my extreme disapproval for his family shaming behavior.

Apparently, our heart-to-heart in the parking lot made an impression.  "Mama, you mad?"  He asked.  Um, yes.  How ever did you pick up on that?

After a bathroom pit stop we headed back.  "Well that was humiliating," I said. "Yep" he quips. Awesome. You have no idea, child.

But, we went back to the table and he ate that freakin broccoli. "Mama angry," he told Andrew.  Thanks, Captain Obvious.

I couldn't really look anyone in the eye after that and felt much better when were able to leave the restaurant and put the whole shameful memory in the past.  However, even now I am feeling some residual second-hand embarrassment.

So, I just want to say sorry, Mom!!  It's my payback time.