The Store

It’s every mother’s nightmare. Or at least a strong dislike. It’s . . . [Insert scary music and screams.] . . . taking the kids to the grocery store.

It had been awhile since I’d taken all three children with me, and I thought to myself This won’t be so bad. I was wrong. We had not even made it into the store before I was correcting their behavior. Having already told them what I expected, I assured them they were capable. We even assigned jobs: pushing the cart, collecting groceries, and checking off the list.

But then they wanted to trade jobs. And my youngest wanted to ride in the cart (No). My eldest was making me nervous with her cart-steering. And my son was feeling the need to get both his words and his jitters out after having to suppress them all day at school. It wasn’t that they were being bad; truthfully, they were just having fun together. But while having a good time, they weren’t paying attention to their surroundings and were getting in people’s way–including mine. You see, it takes great concentration when I go shopping. I need to compare prices, check off my list, and work to prevent any backtracking.

As we walked the aisles, other mothers and I exchanged understanding looks of frustration and sympathy, and I was thankful not to be driving one of those carts with the cars attached. Worn and frazzled, I finally guided my brood and our overflowing cart to check out. As we bagged the food, the lady behind us asked, “How did you do it?” I assured the lady, who was pushing one of the car-carts with two youngsters and only a few groceries inside, that I was losing my mind.

Once we got home and the kids were in Time Out, I could think more clearly and rationally. I recognized that these things that make my life seem hard really are insignificant. I know we aren’t supposed to compare ourselves with others, but I think it’s okay in this case. I mean, how many single moms or dads out there have no choice but to take all the kids shopping every time? And what about the parents across the world who can’t even afford to get groceries? Or those who desperately wish they had children and certainly wouldn’t care if they had to take them to the store?

I am so spoiled.

Later that evening, I received news that one of my friends who has been battling cancer isn’t going to live much longer. She has two young children. And I thought about how much it would thrill her soul to be able to take them to the grocery store.