Ahhh, being a parent. Just when you’re patting yourself on the back for a job well done, life slaps you upside the head doesn’t it?
I’ve learned some pretty valuable what-not-to-do tips from fellow parents in WalMart, but they were especially clear one day last week.
I ran in really quick to return a movie to RedBox, and ended up waiting for about 20 minutes because the machine was trying to “wake up.”
I got tired of waiting, but needed to return the movie to avoid further late fees, so I called their 1-800 number to complain or get help or something.
The guy on the phone was very nice, and asked, “Did you try our machine in the other entrance?”
Um. There’s another one on the other side? Thanks.
Well, I was so irritated at myself, WalMart, Redbox, and the world at large by this point that I just might have took a corner a little too fast with the cart, causing my innocent 7 month old son to fall over and smash his ear on the seat.
Oops.
He cried, and cried, AND CRIED. And I did feel bad. He had a big blood blister on the tip of his ear.
Mom of the Year. Right here, people. And no, I don’t have photographic proof, what kind of person do you think I am?
Regular, uninjured ear.
It looked worse in person.
As I was comforting my distraught baby, another family caught my eye. They had an infant with them as well and were handing her a teething biscuit. No. No wait. That would be a KIT KAT BAR.
Don’t worry. They only gave her half. They gave the other half to their toddler.
That made me feel better. In fact, I was feeling a little smug until this thought hit me:
“Wow, is my bar set low today.”
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
A KIT KAT BAR??!!? Are you kidding me? I freaked out when the church nursery gave my kid a cheerio.
What is this world coming to? I have seen kids drinking soda out of a baby bottle before and I guess the kit kat bar is no worse.
I would have felt better about myself, too.
You can always count on Wal-Mart to make you feel better about yourself!
Don't think I haven't bribed Nora at the grocery store with junk food (maybe not a kit kat, but cookies, chicken nuggets, etc.)! Sometimes its the only way to get things done – just wait – so don't knock the kit kat just yet!
Jamie–Yes it does!
Melissa– Well, I may bribe with junk food sometime, but an infant with a Kit Kat is just a joking hazard!
Well if it makes you feel better, I saw a toddler running around the gas station parking lot eating a slim jim and drinking a Mountain Dew.
Sadly, you'll have many more of those moments where you question God for letting you be a parent
I had one of those days too – where I secretly felt better when I saw a mom give her toddler a bag of cheetos!
kit kats? cheetos?? oh my word!
ps…hope miles is feeling better!
I have learned a few good things not to do at Walmart…I have also done some things I am not proud of in the name of "a quiet and peaceful shopping trip". Just wait until Miles is a little older. One day you will find yourself so desperate for your child to quit screaming, crying, grabbing things, etc. that you may break down and do what ever it takes to stop it.Rylee has always been a perfect angel at Walmart and one day she broke down. Paul ahd her n the back of the cart, Mason in the front, and was walking away so I could pay. rylee is SCREAMING "mommy help me!!!" ya you could say I was desperate to keep my hubby from getting arrested!
Sheila– I'm sure you're right! Although, to be fair, this child wasn't throwing a fit. She couldn't have been more that 7 or 8 months and they just handed her a kit kat bar…