So along with Desperate Housewives and Grey’s Anatomy, I’m a loyal fan of E.R. -– since the beginning, I’ve been a huge fan. I know, most of you gave up on it after the original McDreamy left (G.C.! Not Noah Wylie!)

I bring up the show because something happened on this week’s episode that hit close to home.

In case you haven’t kept up with E.R., one of the doctors, Abby, has become a mother. During the show, she ventured out to a Mommy & Me-type class and had her first experience with what I call “Professional Mothers.”

These are the know-it-all mothers who judge every little parenting decision and who let you know, in no uncertain terms, that you are not worthy to be a parent. Has this ever happened to you? All my friends warned me that there are other mothers out there who are soooo proud of the way that they’re raising their kids that they don’t even care that their ‘expertise’ is just plain snobbery.

This happened to me, as well. I wanted to share an incident that I will never forget -– because it was simply so shocking to me.

I had decided to take a parent-child music class with L.A. Toddler. The instructor had wooed me with, “Oh, it’s free for babies under 3 months.” I was nearing the end of my maternity leave from work – I think L.A. Toddler was about 10 or 11 weeks old and we would only be able to attend 4 of the 6 weekly classes together.

The experience were great and I’d really enjoyed myself. Emma really responded to the music but I was going back to work the next week. I approached the instructor to ask if fathers were welcome in the class –- to which she replied “Of course, we love getting daddies involved!” The tone in her voice should have given me a clue… but it didn’t.

I explained that I would be going back to work and that L.A. Daddy would be taking two months of paternity leave. (I still am so proud of him for doing this –- it was such a great bonding experience for him and L.A. Toddler and he really got to experience being a new parent without me lurking over his shoulder.) Then I asked if it would be OK if he brought Emma to the remaining classes. Her response “Oh… my! Whatever will happen to sweet Miss Emma?!”

My mouth must have dropped open because she quickly blurted, “Uh, but we’d love to have daddy join us!” And by this time there was a circle of 3 other mothers invading our space. Tim’s whole family was musically-inclined and I knew he’d get a lot out of the class. I thanked her and tried to make for the exit. But she couldn’t leave it along — she called after me… “Well, I’m curious… What will happen to Emma when your husband returns to work?”

I froze. I coudn’t even turn around. My fists were clenched. “We’re going to leave her home alone! What the *&%#@ do you think it going to happen to her?!”

Okay, I didn’t say that. I should have. But I didn’t. Instead I decided to really make her gasp, “She’s going to… day care!” And I walked out.

Yes, I’m one of those terrible parents who can’t stay home with her child. I’ve sentenced her to being watched by… others. Oh, the shame. The horror. The HORROR…