Why My Neighbor Clearly Needs a Shopping Spree, a Booster Seat and a Baby Name Book

Ever since my daughter's first public temper tantrum at Borders, I have vowed never to judge other mothers. Our job is hard enough without having to worry about another mother making a face as we sit with our children and enjoy a slushie and pretzel during dinner time at our local Target (oh yes, I have).

But sometimes, we just have to judge.

There is a mother who lives across the street from me. I try not to judge that she has five children all under the age of eight. I try not to judge that she wears work-out clothes every.single.day. Even when she's pregnant. I tried not to judge when her little son was outside playing in a huge pile of dirt that her husband was in the process of moving with a bobcat. I tried not to judge when she named her daughter the same name as mine (ok, that one I may have judged just a little). And I try not to judge that she barely waves hi as she drives past me - and really when you have five little kids, wouldn't you jump at the chance to befriend the woman across the street with only one kid so your kids can go bother her play with her lonely child? (or maybe it's me that really wants to befriend her so my daughter can play with her brood? Like she'd even notice another one?).

But last week she gave me a very good reason to judge her. She drove past my house and her son's head was hanging out the opened back window. Now, it took me a second to think; even if he's six or seven (even though I think he's more like four or five), shouldn't he be wearing a seat belt? Therefore rendering him unable to stick his head out of the minivan window?

Seriously?

I think putting a seat belt on our children is the easiest thing we can do to keep them safe. I see it way too often that kids are in the backseat not buckled in.

I do know that it is possible for kids to take their seat belt off without the parent noticing. I realize this, but I would think you'd notice your child bouncing around in the back seat or sticking their head out of the window.

Again, I try not to judge, but something about a parent being lazy about safety just pisses me off.

That and clearly copying my daughter's name.