Hey, you! Yeah, you over there, skateboarding without a helmet, chatting on your cell phone while driving, sitting on the bus pretending you don’t see the pregnant lady standing: I’m watching you. And if you don’t smarten up, I’m going to give you an earful.
Like the gods of yore, I have made life, and with that creative power has come a powerful instinct to command. Call it the Mama Bear Effect or just plain bossiness, but whatever is, if I catch you doing something dumb or dangerous, chances are I’m going to tell you off.
With this new instinct has come a revelation known to moms worldwide: guilt is more powerful than anger. Flip the bird on a bad driver, and he immediately forgets his transgression, focusing on your bad behaviour instead. But shake your head and pointer finger at him in disappointment, and he will feel the shame of his dangerous actions.
Of course, there is an outside chance that my bossy new attitude is less about Mom Power, and more about a lack of sleep. So just in case, my new year’s resolution is to temper it. I will pause before chastising the customer service rep who is only doing her (thankless) job, and consider that maybe the helmetless teen couldn’t afford a skateboard and life-protection. But if you forget to signal your turn because you’re too busy with your phone, watch out: it’s the shame finger for you!
