+ 
until there's a faster cure than "time".
The mommy in line ahead of me at Target kept up a constant monologal conversation with her pre-verbal child, referring to herself in third person and asking the child's permission for everything. "Mommy just needs to pay the lady, Amber, all right?" "Stop throwing our things out of the cart now, okay?" I've noticed this sort of negotiating speech pattern becoming more prevalent for about the last 10 years. I wonder what Mommy will say when Amber begins to understand and then to speak and answers, "No, it's not okay. I think I'll keep throwing items out of the cart just so I can watch you pick them up." Yes, I was in a bit of a mood (OK, still am). And yes, I do realize that my state of childlessness probably disqualifies me as a judge of parental communication styles. However, I do believe I may have gotten out of teaching high school at the right time.
When it was my turn to pay, the cashier didn't even look up at me as she asked, "How are you?" I didn't feel I should have to answer that, given that I was wearing sunglasses indoors and my purchases included a Dr. Pepper I'd already opened, a two-pack of Tylenol and a box of Monistat.
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