by Michelle Stein posted in Parenting

While other moms are scheduling playdates, attending group exercise classes and chatting amongst each other at school drop-off, I'm perfectly content doing the exact opposite. My kids see friends at school ? so they're good, right" I prefer to workout alone. And I avoid small talk like the plague. I'm an introvert, and I'm OK with this.
But my three kids" They all seem to take after their extroverted dad. Which is fine. Except, well, it's exhausting.
My 3-year-old daughter greets everyone by name with a giant grin each morning at pre-school at drop-off. ?Hi, Nya!? ?Hi, Noah!? ?Look, it?s Parker!? She also holds conversations with these kids' moms while I stand there smiling awkwardly, without contributing.
When we're out and about, my 1-year-old exclaims, "Hi!" to anyone remotely near us ? especially in slightly odd situations. Like, as I?m unbuckling her from her car seat and two people next to us in the parked car are blowing cigarette smoke in our direction.?Hi!!? she says while waving adorably. Or, when I'm trying not to make eye contact in a crowded elevator. "Hi!" she chirps. Ugh.

And my 6-year-old son" From the moment he wakes up in the morning to when he finally drifts off to sleep, my boy just talks and talks and talks and talks and talks. ?Mommy, look at this. Can I have a snack, mommy" Mommy, can I do this" Mommy, guess what"? Most days, I'm all mommy-ed out before d...