Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Did you see us at the grocery store today?

If not, maybe you heard us--the little boy, screaming and thrashing around in the shopping cart for 20 minutes because his mom buckled him into the cart after he threw Vitamin Waters and Kit Kats willy nilly, all while the 7-year-old intermingled singing inappropriate songs with asking repeatedly for gum and candy (I've never bought them before for her--what made her think I was going to cave today? The screaming child?), and while the 9-year-old chimed in about his need to have a late night ("So-and-so got to have 4 friends over for a late night." Oh, my child, at 36 years old, I hope I have moved beyond doing-things-because-a-friend-did-it--not counting Pinterest, of course.)  I wish I could say I remained completely cool and collected, but such was not the case. Oh well, tomorrow will be different. For one, we will not be going to the grocery store.

3 comments:

Jeri said...

Maybe I've shared this technique with you, but I'll say it again.

Whenever we have a melt-down in the grocery store, and I'm embarrassed and getting crusty looks, (MA comes to mind) I put a really concerned look on my face and every few minutes I say, "Don't worry, honey! We'll find your mama. We have her keys, she's gotta be here somewhere."

Then, you're not the parent who cannot control her brat. You're the compassionate neighbor, kindly helping a little child. Practically a saint...

Plus, it confuses the monster.

bluestocking mama said...

LOL, Jeri, that's brilliant!

Madsen Family said...

Don't you worry--I couldn't hear your children over the cries and wails of my own. I went to the grocery store by myself for the first time in a long time and I thought, "Oh, I don't hate grocery shopping. I just hate grocery shopping WITH my kids!" It was like a whole new experience shopping solo.

It is refreshing to know that I am not the sole parent with screaming children whilst shopping, though I am sure it wasn't as bad as you thought.