Last night I went to the grocery store in kid-less bliss. Well, it would have been blissful if I hadn't been going to the grocery store. I despise grocery shopping with a moderately high level of passion.
So I was cruising down the freezer aisle headed for some frozen fruit when I passed a mom and her 2 year old child. They had stopped shopping and she had plopped her patootey down on a freezer bin and was reading her little boy a Thomas the Train book while he sat in his Shopper Topper in the cart. I thought it was a bit strange that they were having story time in the middle of the grocery store at 9 pm, but I figured they were just waiting for someone and brought the book along to pass the time.
After I had gotten what I needed on the aisle, I passed by them again. As I walked by I heard the mom just finishing the book and asking her kid, "Ok, the book is over. Is it alright with you if I continue with my shopping now?" The kid nodded and they got on their way.
I actually laughed out loud. I was audibly astounded that this mom would stop in the middle of the grocery store at 9 pm with her two-year-old just to read him a book. I should have turned around and told her how lucky her little boy was. It wasn't a big act of good mothering, but it showed a lot about her. And it reminded me how I can do better with my kids.
Maybe it's my distaste for grocery shopping that would impede my desire to read my child a book in the middle of the store, or maybe it's the fact that my kids ONLY read books when it serves the purpose of prolonging their bedtime. But I seriously doubt it. I'm pretty sure that you would never find me doing that. I've never been one to stop and smell the roses with my kids. I'm always trying to hurry them along. Trying to make them grow up faster, it seems. Come on, hurry up! We're going to be late to the park! Oh no :)
Being patient, taking time with my kids, not rushing through everything. Thanks to you, Mom with Boy at Store, I am reminded of my weaknesses. I need to take a good long whiff of those flowers!
Kate's 10th Birthday
8 years ago
5 comments:
Just slowing down a little and enjoying the bug on the sidewalk or the bird in the tree is something I'm trying REALLY hard to learn with Ellee. It takes SO much patience! Somedays I do alright and other days...I completely fail. I have learned that with her--when I take a little extra time to explain something or to allow her to dance her way over to get her stinky diaper changed or whatever--she's so much happier. And I don't end up regretting being impatient or hasty with her. It's made all the difference in the world. But, it's still hard to remember to be like that every time. So, thanks for the reminder! :)
I definitely could do better here. I just can't wait for them to be going to preschool tomorrow!! We need a set routine. Summer here has been crazy, but fun. Patience is something I lack as well. I am always in a rush to get to and from a place (usually I am running late).
haha. Oh my word. I would have busted out laughing really hard... that's too funny! What patience that mother has! Maybe she just didn't want to go home to all the other kids she has... who knows! But still, that's pretty crazy! haha.
Has anyone toyed with the thought that the reason they are at the store at 9:00 is b/c it takes her twice as long to do everything?
I need more patience too . . .but . . .for the love.
Megan I am so glad you found me! You look great! Just like I remember you in highschool, well my freshman year I think. When I would ride to school with you and Maria!
How old are your boys? I know when I saw you last summer you were telling me that your boys were really close in age...how close? My last two and going to be real close too!
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