A lesson at the gym, Part 2

So, I was trying to explain the mom, Bella and her sister to Rachel, and how I had unfairly criticized the mom in her head. I'm not sure she really understood what I was trying to say, which boiled down to, "Please try not to be as judgmental as Mommy is."

Instead, she said something interesting: "I'm glad you're not like other moms."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"If I asked you to put on my socks, you wouldn't call me a brat," she said. "You'd say, 'Well, just this once.' Or you'd say, 'No! Do it yourself!'"

Which confirms, yet again, that kids, deep down, like limits and boundaries. And that Rachel is exquisitely sensitive to how other parents treat their children. When they're not firm with them, she knows it. And is not shy about telling me about it.