Let’s be real: grocery shopping with a fussy toddler is about as enjoyable as a root canal. Unfortunately, we all need food, and while I’d love to enjoy some peace and quiet, I’m not about to let my kids starve until they’re too exhausted to complain. When I find myself scrounging for snacks in the depths of my kids’ car seats, desperately hoping to uncover a few stray goldfish crackers, it’s clear that I can’t postpone the grocery run any longer. So, I load up my little ones, prepare for the inevitable emotional outbursts, and brace myself for the chaos awaiting me in the aisles.
For some reason, being pushed around in a shopping cart while I frantically sort through coupons seems to trigger a full-blown tantrum every single time. As if that isn’t enough, I often find myself inundated with unsolicited advice from strangers, who, with the best intentions, only manage to make the situation worse.
Here are seven things that no mom wants to hear when her kid is having a meltdown in the grocery store:
- “Oh, poor little one!” Please don’t coddle my child. There’s nothing “poor” about their current situation. They’re riding in a bright, racecar-shaped cart while I’m spending my hard-earned cash on snacks that will likely end up crushed or lost in the depths of our couch. Trust me, my child is not the victim here.
- “He’ll tire himself out!” Wouldn’t that be nice? Unfortunately, it’s more of a fantasy than a reality.
- “What’s wrong?” First off, with all this noise, I doubt my child can hear you. Secondly, do you really think asking this question will magically calm them down? If they do manage to communicate, what do you plan to do with that information? Nothing, right? So just don’t.
- “Looks like someone needs a nap!” Yes, they do. How about you take over and push my screaming child around while I go grab some Nyquil from the pharmaceutical aisle and catch a much-needed snooze in the backseat of my minivan?
- (Poking or tickling the child) Seriously? You’ve just taken my already fuming child from annoyed to enraged. Thanks for that.
- “Oh, I remember those days!” This makes you either (1) a liar, or (2) someone who knows exactly how frustrating it is when strangers meddle in your parenting. If you really remember, you’d keep your distance.
- Anything at all. Just do us both a favor and go about your grocery shopping in peace. I’m sure you have cat food to buy, so kindly keep your comments to yourself.
At the end of the day, if I—the child’s own mother—can’t soothe their tantrum, a random passerby isn’t going to make a difference. All you’re doing is drawing more attention to the situation and dragging out my shopping experience. After enduring the chaos of a meltdown for what feels like hours, all I want is to get home and indulge in the Cosmic Brownies I just bought.
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Summary:
Grocery shopping with a screaming toddler can be a challenging experience for any parent. Encountering unsolicited comments from strangers only adds to the stress. It’s important for bystanders to refrain from offering advice or observations, as they often make the situation worse. Instead, focus on supporting parents during these tough moments.