You can imagine what followed. Her comments went down like a lead balloon. Anger and accusations of smugness’ were hurled her way, left right and centre. It was powerful stuff on a grand scale. I felt indignant with these women, defensive on behalf of the parents she slated. This anonymous mother had touched a raw nerve. For me, her unforgiving assessments of other parents’ shortcomings sounded familiar, rather too much like the self-critical voice that starts in my head when I am struggling, unsure and feeling incompetent. When my kids’ behaviour falls short in public. When I feel shame wash over me for not having a better handle on things.