Caleb had his last trip to Kohls (and any other store that does not have carts for me to strap him in) for a very long time last night.
Here's the story...
I volunteered yesterday to help host a table for Holly Jolly (our church's Christmas party), and I knew that there was a good sale on at Kohl's. So after work, I hit the sale to get some decorations with Caleb in tow.
While looking around, I needed to have use of my hands in order to place things around on the floor so that I could get an idea of what it might look like, so that meant Caleb had to be put down. This is always a HUGE mistake! Caleb immediately darts off as soon as I put him down. I tried squeezing him between my legs, having him hold stuff so that maybe he would be interested in playing with that and not running away (instead he just runs away with the stuff), but none of that worked. Really it should have only taken a second for me to look at the items I was interested in, but with chasing a 17 month old around, it took way too long! At one point I had to grab him really quick by the arm as he was running away, and I sort of yanked his arm. I immediately thought, "Oh no! I've become one of THOSE mothers!" You know the ones! The ones that you see yanking children around in stores or who have no control over their child. In the past I have thought, "What a horrible mother she is! What is she thinking?!" Now, sometimes that is true, but I now understand that no matter how great of a mother you are, we all have times like this. We just try to minimize them as much as possible!
So, I finished looking around and went to the register to check out. I had to have Caleb hold a candle so that I could hold all of the other stuff we were going to buy. As we're standing in line, Caleb drops the candle which makes me drop a plate I was holding. Of course even though the plate was plastic, wouldn't you know, it broke!
I immediately felt like crying in the middle of the store. I had already been fighting my kid from running off, and now we had broken something. The lady in front of me was so nice to pick it up for me, and then I went off to see if I could find another plate. None of the plates like it looked decent enough, so I was not able to get another plate. Big time bummer!
So, I said "forget it!" and went back to the line to check out. A lady that was in front of me, kindly let me go in front of her since I had Caleb in my arms and my arms were completely full. I went to the same register that I had been at before, and when the lady behind me's merchandise clanked around in her arms, the check out girl said "Did you break something else?" It was so crummy!
So, I got Caleb in the car and went home in time to see Chris for a few minutes before he went to a meeting at church. I was so tired of dealing with Caleb that I really wanted to ship him off with Chris, but that wouldn't have worked since he had his meeting.
So, the moral of the story is: don't take toddlers to a store with no carts to strap them down in. It is a mistake every time! :)
6 comments:
I've been there before, and I feel your pain! That comment from the checker was out of line.
I can feel your total frustration and complete tiredness, Steph. Frustration will surely take the wind out of anyone's sails!!! Sounds like you had 2 genuinely courteous, compassionate ladies who blessed your day... and 1 store employee who has zero people skills, no compassion and alot to learn about serving the public! BTW...do you carry Caleb's stroller in the back of the car all the time? Shopping might be one place where it might come in very handy...even has a place to put stuff you are going to buy. Just use this as a learning experience. Then think of every situation as a teachable moment for Caleb. You are already doing a beautiful job with Caleb, Steph. Frustration just sabotaged this trip. You're super creative, Steph...great ideas will come out of your frustrations. Then you'll find that the great ideas will start coming before you get into frustrating circumstances. It's called lifelong learning, and the more proactive you are with your learning and then teaching Caleb, the smoother life becomes. Sorry...guess my intended encouragement ended up in the advice mode. Love u.
I'm going to take your advice on this one! I am just starting to feel the "pain" of a mobile baby, so thank you for your words of wisdom on this topic!!
I am so sorry you had such a bad experience, especially since you were trying to do something good.
With it being a big sale day at Kohl's perhaps all the buggies were taken? Because they do have ones that kids sit in. I used one when I was there yesterday and used the extra space to carry the $600 dollars of merchandise I bought!!!!!!!!!
Yes, taking a kid to a store even with a cart is tough. Kimber always wants out. I rarely take a shopping trip with her unless I absolutely have to - or if the trip is about her. Other than that I shop to get a little alone time. :)
So sorry! I know how you feel. Emma was just horrible in the store until she was at least 5. But, I can take her now!!! Of course, I can't take both kids together or it's mayhem... but either kid individually is fine. Ellie Beth has always done really well (when strapped in with lots of snacks) Maybe your next kiddo will be a shopper???
Post a Comment