Recently... and by recently I mean 4 days ago.. I went to Target with my kids.
My kids need summer shoes and usually I can find some nice stuff pretty inexpensive there (not so this trip, came home empty handed in that department)
Anyway... while there, I needed to check out the purses. Mine is too big and I was becoming aggravated with that situation. My kids were trying to help me pick one out all showing me different ones that they liked.. We were having fun and I sort of forgot that other people were around... until, that is a lady walked through and stopped where we were.
"you are brave"
me.. puzzled
"bringing all your kids to the store, I give you credit"
me... giving an awkward smile as... of COARSE I would bring my kids to the store.. why wouldn't I?
"I had 7 and I NEVER brought them to the store, I never did this..your brave"
Me... (thinking) ... WAIT?.. WHAT?
I gathered my kids and smiled and as I walked away said "well they are mine"
First of all, I get very uncomfortable with people making me out to be a hero when I take care of my kids "WOW how do you do it?" "wow, you're SO patient" "you must have the patience of a saint" the list goes on really and I for one, am not a fan of it (I am sure that some woman can puff up a little and think 'yes I AM a saint' but, those thoughts never occur to me.
Instead I am always taken back.
1. I am NOT wonderwoman. I fail all the time. My kids are NOT perfect and my house is NOT always clean (I should be cleaning right now as a matter of fact)
2. I am NOT brave.. it is just my life. They are MY children and I take them to the stores, and anywhere else we go for that matter. they are OURS and how can I teach them to know how to act in the stores if I do not take them and aside from that lady in Target.. I enjoy taking my kids 99% of the time because, in our busy life it might be the only actually quality time we spend in a day with lives responsibilities bogging us down.. so, no not brave.. it is a choice, not a duty.
3. I am not always patient. This has been evident many many times in my life.. I hate this about me but, I am a work in progress. Taking my kids out to the stores or museums or whatever does not make me patient.. it makes me their mom!
The list could go on and on.. but, I wonder what this lady did with her 7 kids when she had to go shopping or go out for the day if she thinks I am worthy enough to praise in target for having my 4!
Perhaps, I am in the wrong mindset? Perhaps I am weird.. I mean maybe I should get sitters more often then I do? but, I feel they are MY kids. I ENJOY them (TAKE THAT all those who think that having four kids is SO insane) no, not every trip to the store is perfect.. As a matter of fact, that exact Target trip a little later.. Abs had a bit of a melt down... We had to take care of that and move on... a learning experience for her to be sure. If I never took her out... then she would never know what we expected of her out in public. And, being the social family we are... that just wouldn't work!
3 comments:
Amen, sister! LOL Isn't it amazing the amount of stupid comments people make about having more than 2 kids with you out in public?
Yes Tara it is amazing. I am always in awe of it. And, the comments almost ALWAYS make me uncomfortable.. I do tho, get awesome sweet and encouraging comments as well. and those are always nice to hear too!
Enjoyed the post. It's so important to let children experience situations early so they can know what is appropriate behavior. I'd go out of my mind if I couldn't take Gracie out and about with me and, instead, be stuck at home.
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