Alone in the Grocery Store

I went to the store late this afternoon. It's Saturday, I needed a few things, and I like this one store that has a lot of produce that is specifically for people who cook authentic Mexican food. So, there were a fair number of mothers shopping with their kids. I noticed the carts with a little one sitting in the seat, with a cluster of "helpers" milling around as the mom toiled up and down the aisles. Occasionally, one of the littler ones would perch on the side or front of the cart for a ride. The "big" sister ---maybe eight years old---would help get some of the cans or boxes that mom needed, and also help to wrangle one or both of the little brothers that would wander off or start running around. One of these groups had the little brother looking over his shoulder as he tried to run off, and he ran right into the back of me. I turned and laughed as I helped him up. The mom looked appalled and my smile helped calm her down. But we didn't share a language so I couldn't tell her that--"Don't worry---been there! Done that!"

I was that lady with the three or four or five kids accompanying me to the market. I sometimes got two carts--one to corral kids and one for the groceries. I actually left a grocery store once (it only took once) when someone was pitching a fit about something and I took everyone home. Later, I had to go back, but I waited until CoolGuy was home so I could go alone. One memorable day, I was waiting to pay at the check out when the woman in line behind me asked, "Are these all your kids?" (and I think I only had four at that time) I replied, "Yes." And apparently my youthful appearance in my late twenties made her assume something because she countered with, "Well! I hope you're married!" The clerk and I exchanged astonished looks and I don't even know what I said to the lady. But later, I thought up a great answer:  [Said with laughter and a toss of my hair] "Oh, heck no! If I was married to any of their daddies, I couldn't get my county checks!"  Yeah...

So, to the ladies in the grocery store with your small or large group of children: don't even sweat it. Just teach them to try and have good manners while walking around with you. It is truly one of the most boring things you have to do with your poor, frazzled mother. At least I didn't have to go shopping after spending a long day at a low-paying job like I suspect some of the women I saw today were doing. My day with my children was my low-paying job! (low-paying if you only count money) Just spend time with your kids where ever you can. Let them learn the realities of where that food comes from that they gobble down every day. Have them help you figure out the best price and look for the sales and the coupons. Let them practice their reading by finding things on the shelf for you.

But, just know that these days of cooking and shopping and feeding your children will come to an end. And it will be sad. Someday, you, too will be all alone in the grocery store, buying just three bananas because the fourth would get brown before you got it eaten. You too, will be cooking only for two people (if you're lucky) or just one. Enjoy those frantic days of motherhood, or at least don't hate them. They'll be over before you know it and you will be the one looking at the busy mothers in amusement and empathy, and just a little bit of nostalgic envy.

 

   Five kids---eight years