Kathleen:
A warm hug and a warm fuzzie for you. We all have bad days and days when we
let our stuff get in the way. it is impossible to be "on" all the time.
Forgive yourself.
Maybe when this mom cools down she will realize that her buttons got pushed
too and will try to figure out why just like you did.
Your experience shows because 1. You are willing and able to admit that you
didn't handle this situation the best you could 2. You tried to rectify the
situation directly with the mom 3. You have felt bad and discovered why.
I praise you for your good heartedness some wouldn't give a darn. Be gentle
with yourself.
Alison