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I Apologize if My Big Family is a Burden to You
Having four energetic boys under the age of six means I need to find inventive ways for them to expend their energy. So, we decided to participate in our first family 5K, where children of all ages were encouraged to join and dress as superheroes in support of cancer awareness. My boys had a blast dressed as their favorite characters—the Ninja Turtles! Each participant received a shiny red cape, the weather was absolutely gorgeous, and the boys loved the cheers from the runners looping back towards the finish line. It was nearly a perfect day.
However, it seems we often encounter reminders about how inconvenient my large family can be for others. For instance, as we approached the finish line, someone shouted from behind us, “Thanks for taking up the whole lane! I appreciate it!” We turned to see who was speaking since we were not blocking the path. I was walking on the far right side of the lane with the baby strapped to me, while my husband pulled two boys in a wagon and another rode his bike a few yards ahead. There was ample space to our left; we were only taking up two spots.
When we looked back, the man was several paces away and repeated his remark, clearly aimed at us. My husband joked, “Are we in your way?” as the man zipped past us on the left, responding with, “Yeah, thanks a lot,” as he ran by. I called after him, “This is a children’s walk for cancer!” but he just kept going, finishing a short distance ahead of us. My husband approached him afterward, but he ignored us, leaving us both frustrated. We spent the ride home discussing the encounter.
This isn’t the first time we’ve faced such comments. There was the time a man on his phone complained about our long wait while we chose canned crab with our overflowing cart of kids. Or the person who yelled at me for taking too long buckling all four boys into their car seats while he waited for my parking space. I see now what a menace we are to society. So, allow me to express my sincerest apologies.
I apologize for not considering you, a complete stranger, while planning my family.
I’m sorry your needs weren’t my top priority.
I regret that my commitment to child safety doesn’t enhance your parking experience.
I apologize that those oversized carts at Walmart feel like a Zamboni navigating the aisles, encroaching on your space.
And to that dedicated runner, I genuinely apologize if my audacity to bring my children to a family 5K slowed you down by precious seconds on your impressive 59-minute finish. How inconsiderate of me!
Clearly, I have lessons to learn. If you prefer to keep my family and me out of your path and grocery store, feel free to sign a petition at www.gokickrocks.com. Together, we can ensure that large, joyful families filled with adorable children stay home where they belong. We can then focus on helping the elderly and disabled instead.
In summary, navigating life with a large family often leads to unexpected encounters with the public, but it’s essential to find humor in these situations. While we may sometimes be a burden to others, our adventures and experiences are what make family life so vibrant and fulfilling.