Today was not like that day.
Hallelujah!
I looked like a parenting rock-star.
I, however, wanted to behave like a little brat complete with a kicking and screaming tantrum.
Car carts.
Or lack thereof.
Let me explain: car carts (carts where you can contain 2 small children while still having space for your groceries) are absolutely AH-MAZE-ING. They make the commissary a total blast for my children. Bitty Bean gets to be in charge of Boy Bean and share her free cookie with him; they both get to drive, honk the horn, and see all the action of where we are going. Jumping Bean and String Bean get to alternate turns placing items in the cart with twirling in the aisle.
And all is well in the world.
EXCEPT.
Which is bound to happen sometimes because there are only 7 for the entire store.
But here's my beef.....be warned: I am about to RANT.
(I apologize in advance for offending you)
I'm not really annoyed if the child is fairly young.
BUT if your child is so old they can barely fit in the car cart - I'm going to be ticked.
And I get extremely close to irationally-eye-twitching-mad when I see your ONE child....who looks close to 8 years old....PUSHING the EMPTY car cart.
It is purely because I am trying to set an example of how to behave in polite society that I don't go all crazy-mama on them and chuck a box of diapers at the adult's head.
The child learns selfishness and greed because they want something - so they should get it.
The parent is not wanting to tell their child no - which is absolutely terrible for all parties involved.
And there is someone coming soon behind them who actually NEEDS that cart - and can't use it and now has a much more challenging trip ahead of them.
Seriously people.
So, today, as I encountered 5 of 7 car carts loaded with one child (all at least 4 years old), and the other 2 of them being pushed by a child older than String Bean.....
I was able to address the importance of being considerate.
Of thinking of others.
Of not taking something you don't need, just because it is there - or free.
Of realizing that sometimes your fun time can ruin the chance someone else has of having a need met.
Everybody wants what they want because they want it - without regard for others, without caring about the ramifications of selfish decisions - because the all important "I" is number one.
To that I say: Maybe you should think twice the next time you want to OCCUPY a car cart.
Some sleep-deprived mama of four might just go all crazy on you.
~Whitney
Copyright 2011