Grocery shopping has long been my most hated errand. I mean, it's a repeating game of place item in cart, take item out, place item in grocery sack, take item out, place item in pantry, take item out, place item in fantastic recipe, take item out of oven, place item on table -- and watch it be devoured in seconds. Pointless, except that the human body needs to eat.
Now add two toddlers to the most hated errand.
And that's where I was when it came to grocery shopping about ten years ago.
Now add two onlookers watching me on the most hated errand with two toddlers about ten years ago.
One toddler unpacked grocery sacks faster than I could pack them. One toddler ran up and down the aisle while I attempted packing and re-packing grocery sacks.
One onlooker glared at me. "Can't you control your kids?" the on-looker's glare said to me.
The other onlooker smiled at me gently. "Your kids will grow up quickly; enjoy even this," that on-looker's smile told me.
Many times since, I've wondered what my looks are saying.
I'm with you, Barbara. I make sure I don't stare at frazzled moms in the grocery store, because I know how they feel. And I only had one kid at a time to deal with.
ReplyDeleteI used to love shopping with my kids when they were younger. Sometimes I would go shopping without them and miss them being with me. That doesn't mean they were angels. Far from it. But I loved their company. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm sure my looks tell bad things at times. Thanks for reminding us to be conscious of it.
ReplyDeleteOh man, definitely something to think about. My husband says I can have the iciest stare, even when I don't mean to. I really have to be careful. Such a good point you made--your looks can be as harsh or as kind as any words.
ReplyDeleteThis brought back such a vivid memory. Grocery shopping with my kids when they were little and one had a tantrum because I wouldn't let them get the free store cookie. Don't remember why, but I do remember being exhausted and frustrated in that mother of toddlers kind of way. One woman stopped me and said, "Great job mama. You're doing the right thing," and it was so kind and supportive it almost brought me to tears right there in the grocery store
ReplyDeleteOh I love that. Someone told me that on a plane once when my kids were fidgety and bored and impossible. He said, "This is the best time of your life. Right now. It'll be over so quickly. My girls are grown."
ReplyDeleteIt's a great reminder when in the middle of complete mayhem!!
I used to love grocery shopping. Then the toddlers came along and it's a race to see if we can get everything on the list before they start fighting, yelling or throwing. I should say my kids are fairly well behaved but we have our days and they usually seem to be at the grocery store.
ReplyDeleteI was told several times in college, over the course of a couple years, that people thought me stuck up when they first met me. In reality I was extremely shy but it has made me very conscious of what my outward appearance is portraying to others. I'm not perfect but hopefully I'm not scaring off future friends and companions.
People sometimes ask me how I can stand working with kids/tweens/teens. My usual response? "They can be difficult/mean/loud/whatever, but so can adults. At least my kiddos have an excuse." I guess the thing I need to keep in mind there is that probably the obnoxious, loud, cutting-in-line, giving-dirty-looks adults have an excuse too, just not one I can see.
ReplyDeleteSigh. This kindness thing can be hard. Thanks for the reminder.
So true, Barbara. We often forget what unintended message our expression can send and also what the briefest of kind exchanges can mean to someone. I was supposed to have a 20 minute visit with an elderly lady the other day that turned into a 2 hour convo. She said my kind smile made her day and she hugged me (a stranger) at the end of our visit. Honestly, I think it did more for me than her.
ReplyDeleteThoughtful post. Reminds us to think about our reactions, even if they aren't spoken out loud.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Barbara. And thanks for introducing me to this wonderful blog!
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