Julia and I made a pit stop at the grocery store today right after preschool. It was the worst time of day for us to be doing such an errand, but the alternative (pb&j for dinner) made it it worth it. As she fussed and moaned down the produce aisle I did my best to move quickly and get only what we really needed. I had compassion and empathy for her empty tummy so her whimpering didn't grate on me like it has the potential to do.
As I contemplated buying full sized oranges since they were out of the little sized Cuties we like best, I stood next to a boy (about Julia's age) who was completely unattended. (read: no adult within 25 feet).
He was taking oranges from the front of the row and tossing them to the back of the pile.
Over and over again.
I didn't say a thing. What wast he point? I didn't feel it was my place, but when he asked, "why is she crying?" I couldn't help but reply,
"She's sad because the oranges are getting wrecked?"
"Huh?"
"Well when you toss them around like they they won't be any good."
Cue - parental figure from the tomato aisle who calls the little twerp over to her.
I know I shouldn't have lied to the kid, but man, I couldn't resist!
What would YOU have done in that situation?
As I contemplated buying full sized oranges since they were out of the little sized Cuties we like best, I stood next to a boy (about Julia's age) who was completely unattended. (read: no adult within 25 feet).
He was taking oranges from the front of the row and tossing them to the back of the pile.
Over and over again.
I didn't say a thing. What wast he point? I didn't feel it was my place, but when he asked, "why is she crying?" I couldn't help but reply,
"She's sad because the oranges are getting wrecked?"
"Huh?"
"Well when you toss them around like they they won't be any good."
Cue - parental figure from the tomato aisle who calls the little twerp over to her.
I know I shouldn't have lied to the kid, but man, I couldn't resist!
What would YOU have done in that situation?
Sounds to me like you got two birds with one stone....maybe even three!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I would have had the idea to say that to him, but I would hope I would. Or something like that. I don't mind in situations like that telling a little white lie. Sometimes reason just doesn't work.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what I would have done, but I know my husband, the grocery manager, would LOVE what you did! You would not believe the stories he has of unruly, unattended kids!
ReplyDeleteTHE SAME EXACT THING. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteI like how you handled it.
ReplyDeleteThat is genius. YOU ARE A GENIUS. I get SO annoyed with kids in the grocery. And I'm the lady who totes 5 under 5 with her. So I have the right to be annoyed I think. Cause mine are not always angels, but they aren't doing 1/2 the things people who only have one are doing.
ReplyDeleteI get the opportunity to "comment" on their behavior via Snug though. He'll say things like "THAT is not good mama. THAT is something I cannot do. Nope. Not nice." And he is not a quiet boy. He also says things like "We cannot buy that because it is NOT good for our teeth/muscles/whatever body part he decides to insert". Love that kid.
I would have said something similar.
ReplyDeleteMaybe...she's crying because she hears the oranges crying "don't throw me!"
Love it, I would have said the same thing :)
ReplyDeleteI can't believe the time has flown so! Come over to my house with the baby belly! (and whoever is home with you) let's come up with something...
ReplyDelete