You are so so right Jessica! We have to see it from their eyes. And that’s so hard to do sometimes. Especially when you just want to get in and out of store quick. Or go out to eat. Or anything really. Kids have little minds of their own!

I have a bad habit of parenting from of fear of what other people will think, as opposed to parenting from what my children really need. Knowing that doesn’t make it go away, sadly! Maybe with enough self-reminders, it will lessen.

Being a parent to young children is rough. VERY rough. I have two: a one year old and a soon-to-be five year old. I’m extremely blessed to have a husband who will happily go to the store, sometimes daily, b/c I’m terrible at planning ahead (“I know I just sent you for cream, but now we’re out of milk!” Ha!) so I don’t have to take my kids (4.5 and 1) to the store very often.

When I see rambunctious kids in a store, or when my own are the squirrly ones, I try and see it from their perspective: what young child would willing choose to be in a store and have to “behave”? I mean, that’s the way life is – our kids have to go places with us and a mom can only do so much to plan it around naps and meals (and having more than a couple kids makes that all but impossible!). But children are just beginning the life long lesson of “that’s just the way life is: sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to do, in order to get to the things we do want to do.”. Of all people, perhaps the least learned need the most compassion. 🙂

Lest anyone think I abide by my own words, I think I’ll paste this into Notes and read it whenever I take my kids to the store. He he. 😉

I’m a member of a Mums group on FB and a lady posted about being new to the town we live in and not knowing anyone. I sent her a message to the effect of “I hope it’s not weird but fancy a coffee?” I’ve lived here all my life and so use that local knowledge – I think I included something to the effect of “if you just need directions to the local supermarket or which day to avoid town I’m your girl”. She came back to me and said it was so lovely of me to message her and she’d love to grab a coffee. We’re off for our “mummy date” next week and I’m (geekily) excited!

What an awesome story! That was so very kind of you to have your boys entertain the kids! My daughter is getting too big for a cart so I know some day soon that will be us. Thanks so much for your sweet comment Jessica!

Agreed! But I’m just glad there are still kind people out there. And pick your head up mama! You do a great job with those girls!

Her comment was innocent enough, but the way she said it, her body gestures and the huffing and puffing was unnecessary. In my opinion. All children should be allowed in public, but your right, parents do need to discipline them if they get rowdy.

To be honest, her comment really wasn’t that bad. For one, older women tend to be grumpy and judgmental. And two, kids are pretty annoying, especially if you don’t have them. I see women feeding their kids nothing but sugar in the store and then act bewildered when I look annoyed to see their children running into me and creating chaos. I used to work in a grocery store when I was in college, and the majority of the kids with their moms were spoiled brats. Now when the dad was shopping with the kids (which I actually saw more frequently) the kids were in cheque. If you don’t discipline your kids, they don’t deserve to be in public. I’m happy to see that you and many others are raising your kids to be happy and respectful.

Aww! Thats awesome! Such a fun idea 🙂