I followed Christian up the bleacher steps following the Royals game on Saturday night, hauling the big double stroller (folded up) in front of me, thinking, Which is worse on a carpal tunnel hand: the 40-pound stroller or a 21-pound kid on each arm? Then, behind me, I heard the stream of f-bombs coming out of the mouth of an unassuming-looking teenage boy who clearly thought he was Da Coolest Thing Ever for his potty mouth.
Until I turned around and looked at him. I said nothing, I just looked at him for about three seconds, and then this terrified, sheepish expression flitted across his face and he put his hand over his mouth. “Oops, sorry,” he said, and I faced forward and went on up the bleachers.
And only when I reached the top did I start giggling, thinking: Holy cow, I just gave someone The Look!
My mom told me once that she doesn’t think you can project authority properly until after you’ve been a mother. But considering that I was able to reduce said teenage boy to silence with one withering Mommy look, I have one burning question:
Why doesn’t it work on my children????
Kathleen M. Basi 
The F word. The thing about it is that in our culture it is used so much that most people do not even notice. Good job mom!
Haha, good for you!
Because they are YOUR chidren !!!! hehehe
It doesn’t (often) work on your children because they see the love in your heart as well as the authority in your eyes.
That is the question for the ages.
You go girl! Made you want to wash your kids ears out – didn’t it! (Or maybe that kids mouth!)