I did it! I braved the grocery store with a newborn in my Ergo and a preschooler and toddler steering the shopping cart-racecar hybrid. It wasn’t too harrowing of an experience either. In fact, we averted meltdowns entirely until we exited the premises and were in the parking lot. At this point, the toddler decided she wanted to keep driving and placed a death grip on the steering wheel, but after I encouraged her to say, “Bye-bye, car,” (about 16 times or so), she reluctantly left her hot ride behind.
We weren’t in the clear yet though. When I was loading the kids in the van, Madeline asked what I’d be making them for lunch.
“How about some hummus wraps? Oh wait. I forgot the wraps,” I said.
“Go back and get some,” Madeline said.
“I can’t.” And I really couldn’t. I just did not have the stamina to unload the kids and venture back into Groceryland.
“Pleassseeee.”
“No, I’m sorry. I’ll make peanut butter smoothies instead.”
No use. The floodgates opened. “No!!!! I want hummus wraps with veggies!” Loud, desperate wailing ensued.
And at that moment I remembered an essential survival skill in the trenches of motherhood: Focus on the positive. Sure, I would have liked to avoid a screaming tantrum (which woke up the baby), but I couldn’t help but smile over the fact that my 4-year-old was crying her eyes out over a veggie hummus wrap.
I am still trying to get over the fact that your kids like veggies and humus. My kids wouldn’t touch it with a ten foot pole!! Bravo for getting out there in Groceryland! :)
Girl – the “moral” of your tale was gotten by me before you ended with it – I was impressed by
1) Veggie hummas wraps
2) peanut butter smoothies
and that your girls would eat all that. I NEED to eat those things. You inspire me!!! No wonder you don’t look like you’ve had a baby.
You rock!!
We eat healthy meals so we can gorge on chocolate.
Veggies and chocolate – the ultimate in a balanced diet!! Glad you got out of the house for a bit, even though the scenery in the grocery store leaves a bit to be desired!!
Here's one for you. What would you do if you had all the kids buckled in and ready to go home and then you checked your receipt and discovered they had overcharged you? How much would it take to get you back into the store? $5? $10? A million dollars? :) I've had that happen to me too many times (maybe not a million, lol).
I'm definitely with you on the not going back in if I forgot something. It would have to be really, really important and not substitutible!
Good job on getting groceries! Sometimes that feels like a monumental task when you have the kids with you. Okay, all the time. And I think at that point with a baby, my kids ate PB&J every day for lunch!
Janet
I’m proud of you :)
Seriously!! That your 4yr-old would throw a fit over hummus and veggies…way to go mama!! I have yet to brave the grocery store yet. We did venture to the museum today, but I had grandparents with us for backup help!!
Hahaha…
Reminds me of the time Madeleine Sophie threw a tantrum at age 2 in McDonald’s because she wanted broccoli instead of french fries. ;)
I think it’s hysterical that your daughter was crying for hummus wraps! I’m sure it wasn’t funny to you, but I sure enjoyed reading your story!
That does put it in perspective! Thanks for the Ergo review/baby wearing recommendations, by the way1