Mommy Melt-Down in Aisle 3
You’ve seen it a million times. Market Melt-downs. Little kids just seem prone to melt-downs in the market. They’re common, accepted and rarely avoidable. But this past week, it wasn’t my kids that had the melt down, it was me. Yep, a mommy melt down in aisle 3.
Recently, I had no choice but to do my major weekly market run (for my family of 5) with my 4 and 5 year olds in tow. Typically, I will avoid this sure fire disaster at all costs but on this particular day, I had no choice.
Reluctantly, I sorted through my hundreds of coupons, carefully created my detailed market list, grabbed my re-usable bags and an hour later I was finally walking into the over-crowded, over-priced and under heated market.
Of course my kids each insisted on having one of those cute little miniature “kid carts.” But seriously, all I want to know is, who’s brilliant idea it was to manufacture these death traps on wheels. For 90 minutes. Yes 90 minutes, my kids continuously ran into the back of my legs, knocked over numerous displays, and had 17 near misses with other innocent and unsuspecting customers. Don’t get me wrong, some of these people deserved to be taken out by the mini death traps but for the most part, it’s annoying as hell when little kids run recklessly through the market with those deceivingly cute little carts. And here I was turning two of them loose in the store. It was my own fault, it seemed like an easier battle to win than listen to them whine about it the entire market trip. However, after carefully making sure that I checked everything off of my list, compared prices, played traffic cop, made 2 potty runs and put everything back on the shelves that my kids haphazardly threw into their carts, I was absolutely exhausted.
Finally, as I slowly dragged my sorry, defeated butt toward the check out lines, with the 2 kids, 3 carts and a raging headache, a smiley, perky woman stopped me, who also happened to have 2 young kids, 3 overflowing carts and what appeared to be an infant strapped her boobs, smiled and said, “Isn’t shopping with the kids a hoot? I look forward to it every week! We have the best time!”
And that’s when it happened, I somehow, let out a loud shrieking noise and “accidentally” rammed the back of her legs with my daughter’s adorable little death trap. Ok, so I didn’t really do that, but I really wanted too! Rest assured, no matter how hard I try, I will never be one of those moms who “make it look so easy!” Nope, I’ll be the mom in aisle 3 having the mommy melt-down. And that’s okay.
24
LOL.....My husband always comments when he hears a kid having a meltdown in a grocery store..... but i'm the crazy person in the line up making funny faces or playing peek a boo with some strangers kid as we wait.Maybe because i do daycare i always try to give a smile to the parents in situations like that.Its so tuff on kids and parents.When you work full time theres no way to avoid taking kids with you on daily chores and to be honest i don't think we should ...its all part of their learning experience:)
By mjadaa July 11, 2008 6:56am
23
Initially I thought - why don't you just grab 5 items and get out of there! I am one who has lists and has to accomplish things. This is less so nowadays with a 20month year old.
I then remembered one truly awful shopping day - a quick 1/2hr trip that really did my head in. My little one whinged the whole time, didn't want to be in the trolley, didn't want to walk in the direction that I needed to go, kept flailing around on the ground refusing to get up... I also had my husband trailing around, getting frustrated, wanting to help and making things worse.
What made me want to add a comment though was what was said by 'billied' and 'jbeezz' - I think they are way too judgemental. Clearly they either don't have children or have been blessed with angels!
By xxxLxxx May 17, 2008 11:07pm
22
I read this and have to say... I have a girlfriend... that has a 5 year old.. and she just has absolutely no control over her son.. and then.. it gets to the point when they are both having a meltdown..one after the other of course.. I love her and I love her child.. but she needs to get it together.. I have found that..she doesn't discipline for fear of looking mean.. and in turn she looks worse.. She has a lot of learning to do.. when it comes to being a good parent.. I agree with jbeezz... as far as relating .. well i have two children.. 16-18.. they never acted up in public because we had a clear set of rules if they were broken... actually had a household..rule book..best thing I could have done for myself as a single parent.. mind you all punishment consisted of what writing.. perhaps what they did wrong.. and then an acceptable apology.. along with the reason they felt they had misbehaved. my youngest had to do this even when she didn't know what a sentence was.. It helped in many ways.. the punishment was clear for everyone..As far as mommy meltdowns.. I have more of those now.. than I ever did.. when they were young.
By billied May 15, 2008 10:48am
21
I really have no patience with people who cannot control their kids. Parents who allow their kids to run around, eat off of others plates, ask strangers annoying questions and generally being rude and obnoxious need to look at themselves. Perhaps when that parent recognizes that perhaps there may be a problem she/he can get some parenting classes to learn how to control their kids.
Yes, I can relate to this too, but not to this degree. I really admire parents who have well mannered, well behaved kids.
By jbeezz May 15, 2008 7:58am
20
LMAO!!!! I've so been there. . .you rock :-)
By wolfemom May 15, 2008 1:33am
19
OMG I am LMAO!!! I have so been here many times and I only have one 3 yr old. i have always told my husband that I want to have a padded room in our basement so that I can throw a temper tantrum!! Keep up the great work!
By Georgemama May 15, 2008 1:12am
18
Awwwww...I feel ya :) I hv 3 & I think about twice b4 I go 2 the store w/ them.. Hee, hee.
By JTFeeliNBlues May 14, 2008 8:56pm
17
We have all been there! It seems like it was just yesterday. My 2 kids loved to go in the shopping cart that had the fire engine attached for tham to sit in. It always made for a HUGE disaster. I have never seen a happy shopper pushing the fire engine one. Now that my kids are older (6&8) one will get a small shopping cart and pretend to shop and then run into the other which then starts a race. Instead of yelling at them, I simply ignore them and pretend they are not mine! Neadless to say, I try to go shopping when the rest of the world is sleeping.
By ChrissyH May 14, 2008 6:55pm
16
Oh, that's just so funny. My mom and I were in the grocery store the other day saying how cute the little carts are until we crossed paths with 2 little boys at the helm! Hooo, boy! When you teach them how NOT to run into your heels, please let me know so I can teach my husband the same!!!
By lesliew May 14, 2008 6:30pm
15
Thank you so much for sharing this .
My 3 yr old had a dentist appointment this morning ,and overall it went well.
she screamed her head off when she saw the dentist put white mask ...it scared the pure snot out of my kid.
I need to read this....Thank you so much :o)
By poohscorner May 13, 2008 3:12pm
14
Oh yes I have been there. Shopping with my two was a nightmare. They would fight over the trolley, shout, run about, and keep going to the toy aisle and demanding things. Bit older now and not so bad, especially as my son is on meds, but my daughter still demands things and whines.
I was mortified a few weeks ago when they suddenly ran all over the clothes stores, nearly crashing into items. Standing there bellowing in the middle of a store is a sure fire way of getting unwanted looks from people! I haven't been back there since.
Your story sounded so funny, but I can imagine it was anything but at the time!
Thanks for the laugh and all the best to you.
By dollyface May 13, 2008 2:34pm
13
Chrissy,
Haven't we been there! I have been there-trying everything, getting frustrated,having the HEADACHE,
I had a crabby time yesterday. I will share my best meltdown. My melt down was when my son was having high autism day - missed the bus and I took him in my car and pulled over couple of times to cry. Walked in the parking lot wiping tears with sleeves and when I the greeter at the door looked at me...my eyes were pouring. I somehow managed to take him to classroom and get back to my car and just cried for 20 minutes. What a relief!! I knew I could drive without having the need to pull over.
For somereason crying helps me a lot. I know I am not a perfect mom and will not one-it scares me. I may be selfish, I truly want to be only a good enough mom not a perfect mom.
By momangel May 13, 2008 10:45am
12
LOL.. Thank you so much for sharing this story. I have twins 3 year olds and a 3 month old and no choice but to take them all with me and I just hate it.. I mean, I love my children, but I'm always the mom that ends up with the baby crying and two boys running though the store and me pushing a heavy cart right behind them yelling, "GET BACK HERE NOW!" I'm so glad that I'm not the only one, and yes, I hate those perky mom's too.. I just wonder what drugs they give their kids to make em act so good.. cause I WANT IT
By ABCmommy May 13, 2008 10:37am
11
That was so funny,thanks for brightning a very dull day at work.
By grumble2me May 13, 2008 9:31am
10
I look forward to shopping alone but if I can't we will eat take out!
By susanmary81 May 13, 2008 9:05am
9
Oh, you poor poor thing. I am right there with you. I only have one kid, but I avoid the grocery when at all possible with my little rugrat. He has flipped out on my a few times....
By AmandaJane7 May 13, 2008 8:51am
8
It's so good to know I'm not alone! My kids are 7 and 4. Each year seems to bring it's own challenges to the market.
By LillyBlossom May 13, 2008 1:19am
7
Oh yes do I remember those days . I had two teens a 5year old 3year old and 2year old and like you said teens are like tots . I have said that many times to first time teen parents . My shopping strategy was to let the kids pick out something . If they were going for everything in arms length I let them go they would stop shortly . Then when I got up to the counter I would say I want that and I don't want that . The person behind the counter would then ask why I had the things if I didn't want them . I'd say cause you put them where children can reach them and bug the parents into buying it . So you can just put it back and have the hassle . If we don't let them know we aren't going to be played ,they will not change their sales tactics . We need more parent friendly stores . So mom and kids are a team ,it does help . I had the mom with the angle looking with dismay at my 3year old son as he kicked me . I didn't say a word and when we got to the car I didn't turn it on .I waited and he asked what we were doing , I asked what he was doing and that my leg hurt ,he started to cry and said he was so sorry.That was the first time and last he did that ,he is grown and so sweet .
By beetamer May 13, 2008 12:42am
6
HAVE YOU HEARD OF THIS NEW OLD-FASHIONED THING CALLED DELIVERED GROCERIES? ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TELL THEM WHAT YOU WANT AND THEY DELIVER. NO MELTDOWNS FOR YOU OR THE KIDS.
By SisSan May 12, 2008 10:39pm
5
I've been there too.
By nikawolf May 12, 2008 7:02pm