I was asked today if I was easily offended.

Backstory: Another parent, actually she’s a students grandparent , had made a snide comment about my pre- K daughter and the fact she likes to tuck into her lunchbox before school. This has been an ongoing problem for her and us , and a source of anxiety for me that others keep remarking on it.

Today was the straw that broke the camels back and I snapped at her pretty much to mind her own business. When I took the backpack into the teachers classroom to remove temptation from my daughter ( and escape the judgy eyes of the other parents who witnessed my annoyance ) the teacher asked me if I “was easily offended”.

I had to think long and hard about the answer to that.

I don’t like being criticized, I prefer constructive criticism .

I like my business to be private , unless I choose to share with you.

I am protective of my children , shown in my willingness to challenge anyone who upsets them outside of the family.

I believe that not everything needs to be said publicly. How about pulling someone to the side or even better , how about not saying it at all ?

I think that if we praised each other and offered to help one another , that might make life and the stresses that go with raising children , whilst struggling with anxiety , a little less harsh.

Am I easily offended ? Perhaps I am. I hope that I’m stronger than that.

I AM reactive with a temper of the tiny red headed woman that raised me. Not one of my finer traits but a defensive mechanism that protects me against any ill will sent my way. Reactive is in my blood.

I did go back and apologise for the way I spoke to the older woman but I did not apologise for my comments. I was raised to respect my elders and I wanted to bite my tongue off rather than do it. I’m sure it’s not the first time someone has put her in her place. No doubt we will never speak to each other again but no loss. She was not a positive model in my child’s life.

Easily offended ? I’ll think about it some more.