i am that mom in the grocery store, please don’t judge me…

To all those who have witnessed utter chaos in the middle of the store, here is a peek into the head of one mom…

To all those who have BEEN that mom, here’s to you too!

I am that mom in the middle of the store with a screaming child, please don’t judge me or give me those locks. I feel them, I see them. Believe me, I am more uncomfortable than you are with the current situation. I know that my child should not be screaming. I have left many carts full of groceries because of this screaming child. It’s very uncomfortable, but what should I do? Leave the store every time she decides to throw a fit? NOPE, not here! That would not be wise because then she is learning she can throw a fit to get her way. She is my youngest, and has the luxury of being waited on hand and foot by her older siblings. 

We walked into the store, put her in the shopping cart and the screaming began. I tried to brush it off for a moment, thinking she would simmer down. The simmering turned to boiling and she got louder. My two middle kids awkwardly smiled and looked at the people, then back at me…over and over, trying to figure out how to respond. My oldest finally said, let’s just go mom. That’s what we did that given day. The item we were there to get, shoes for my oldest actually, was added to the list for another day.

Other times I smile and laugh to brush off the insecurity of the utter embarrassment I’m feeling. I want to leave and crawl under a rock, just as much is you want me to leave with my screaming child. Yet, I work my way as quick as I can to get the things, and only the things we absolutely need.

Embarrassed. Feeling alone. Feeling bad for my kids who felt the same way. Some days are better than others, I tell myself and my kids. Then we smile…

This is my fourth child, and my husband and I thought we had this parenting thing figured out. That was, until she came along. She is the absolute light of our life, and we wouldn’t change anything for the world. Yet, she is most definitely our most challenging and strong-willed. Most times as we are trying to train and discipline her, we look at each other and give each other the glance of…shit. How do we do this again? She will do great things with her life if she channels this energy. 🙂

Please think twice about giving your judging looks. You don’t know what that person is going through. You can’t ever judge a book by its cover, that’s what we tell our kids, right?

Instead, maybe just smile. Offer a hand. …or maybe some booze. Ha!