The Most Infuriating Karens Ever

"This is definitely a mild Karen encounter, but I still feel so salty about it. I was taking my kids to the pharmacy. I have two kids with numerous health needs. My eldest has extreme medical anxiety. My youngest had developed a "cough" in 2020 that we had, at the time of this story, just discovered was a vocal tic due to Tourette Syndrome.

My daughter was struggling with her tic that day because of the anxiety. We got to the pharmacy, which was in a Target.

Two women were shopping near the entrance when we walked in and I was understanding when they stepped away since it did sound like my girl was sick.

I noted it vaguely. Mostly, I was sad, thinking she will have to deal with this a lot as she grows older.

We wandered the store a bit, waiting to be called. I noticed the women again, but they didn't move away this time, so whatever.

My daughter is standing nearby with my mom. I stood up and stepped back from my eldest to take a few breaths to keep myself calm and that's when I see the women again. They are glaring at my daughter and whispering together.

I stepped between my sweet girl and the women so she wouldn't notice the stares.

I kid you not, they ducked into the aisle they were in and peeped around the corner, still whispering, now visibly agitated.

I know this is a mild encounter because they didn't approach us, but the gall to follow around, whisper about, and even point at a young child!

I'm feeling angry again right now. If my kids hadn't needed my calm presence, or if they had noticed the women, I'm not sure anyone could have stopped me from giving the Karens an earful. As it was, sometimes the hardest part of parenting is being what your kids need at the moment rather than the parent you thought you'd be or the one you are in your head. Because headcanon mama definitely embarrassed the women. She put them in their place. Probably everyone in the pharmacy clapped. I guess we'll never know."

Another User Comments:

"All 3 of my kids, and one of my nieces have Tourette Syndrome. My youngest has a sneezing tic and a cough tic, we’re pretty used to handling Karens and other assorted jerks when it comes to tics.

One of the things that works for us is to talk to my kid, but direct the comments towards the jerks. It’s passive-aggressive but it’s effective for 95% of the comments/stares from idiots with bad manners. Try this next time:

Kid - cough cough

You (in a normal or slightly louder than normal voice) - I know honey, having Tourette Syndrome isn’t fun, and I know you aren’t sick, you’re having coughing tics. It’s hard to not be able to control your own body and brain.

Having people talk about you or staring at you just makes it worse, doesn’t it? It would be easier if people would just ask questions instead of staring at us like that. Oh well… I guess their mama didn’t teach them basic manners." SeagullMom