We braved the giant mega super center with all 4 kids a few weeks ago. It was crazy, hectic, and filled with embarrassing moments that no longer embarrass me. At the end of our shopping trip we pulled into a line with our mini van style buggy. You know the ones, giant contraptions with thick micro-ban plastic seats, and the turning radius of a semi. All 4 kiddos were pilled high in the extra buggy. We always end up with for a "time-out" zone, that instead holds an open box of fruit loops and a few kids sitting atop bulk size toilet paper and paper towels.
Yeah, we're classy like that.
So we're waiting for our turn when I glance at the mom in front of us. She looks to be a few years ahead of me in mom years, with her oldest looking to be about 10.
Seeing these amazing woman who have somehow survived toddlers and elementary school and are wearing real pants tend to give me a sense of hope and pride. Go moms!
But this time my pride hit overload when I realized she was one of the very few who I can relate to on all levels. She had 4 kids!!
Now I know "bro-mance" is totally a thing, but I've never found a word for this. She was like, my kindred mom spirit?
It was like seeing myself in a few years. The baby of the family happily napping against a cute but not over trendy purse that mom actually uses! The oldest of the kids quietly helping load the groceries while the rest of the kids browse the candy isle without asking for even a piece!
I was in awe.
While we made polite chatter about the joy of shopping with 4 kids, and how we had both "been there" I realized, wow we could totally be friends. Like actually make a play date, and not worry about someone judging me for the cheese doodle in the couch cushion that the toddler tries to eat. No, this woman had been exactly where I am right now and SURVIVED.
I should have gave her my email and told her I would love to pick her brain on how she did the unimaginable.
But I didn't. I didn't want to be the weird, creepy woman from wally world who couldn't just join a mom group like everybody else. My husband and I watched them leave and laughed at how cool it was to meet someone else outside of the average 2.5 kids realm.
Thanks random mom for smiling and nodding when my toddler ate the box for the macaroni but not the noodles.
It's nice to know I'm not the only one who finds this normal.
What have your kids done to embarrass you in the store? Comment with your stories and I'll share one on the next blog!
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