School is out. It has been out for us for officially 6 days, but 3 days were the holiday weekend, so that doesn't really count. Three days have been the back-to-the-routine weekdays. Well, sort of. We are getting ready for our upcoming trips, so there were a few errands to run. Some groceries, gas, road food, misc. whatever, etc. I love the thought of the trips. I am as giddy as the kids about THIS PLACE and THIS PLACE where we will spend the next week and then THIS PLACE the week after. So, summer is great in THOSE respects. Summer is great in the sense of freedom, warm weather, suntanned skin, recreational water, and no homework (meaning, I don't have the equivalent of a graduate thesis in papers/handouts/take-homes from the school to sort through each week only to forget anyway scarring my kid for life because he missed the raffle ticket deadline and is not entered into the contest for the free ice cream cone).
Summer sucks in this HUGE respect though: My boys are home all the time INCLUDING THE TIME I HAVE TO RUN ERRANDS/GROCERY SHOP. I would honestly rather chew off my own arm some days than take them with me to ANY STORE.
When they were babies, it used to take me twice as long and cost me more to shop with them because of carseats, a diaper blow out, nap schedules, etc. causing me to forget my list, rush, etc. When they were toddlers, it took me longer and cost me more to shop with them because of getting them in and out of the car, tantrums/melt-downs, nap schedules, a diaper blow out, etc. causing me to rush/forget things, etc. Now, when they have to shop with me, it takes me longer to shop because we inevitably end up in the toy aisle (which even the hardware stores seem to have), they beg me for treats, they want to push the cart, they suddenly have to use the bathroom no matter how many times they have already gone that day, they beg me for treats, their legs are suddenly overwhelmingly tired causing me to rearrange the cart so one can sit in it after it is 75% full, and they beg me for treats.
After 4 different stops, yes, I give in to the treat reward for good behavior or just to shut them up, honestly.
I think they should have single serving wine bottles next to those Baby Bottle Pops at the check out line.
I deserve a treat, too.
KEEP BELIEVING
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15 hours ago
I'm with you. I HATE dragging my kids along shopping too. I can't tell you how much I'm dreading having my kids home too in , gulp, fourteen days!!
ReplyDeleteYours is the second blog I've read in the last week suggesting wine at the checkout counter at the grocery store. I REALLY think you're onto something here...
ReplyDeleteI'm so laughing over here!!
ReplyDeleteI am still shopping with the toddlers, and seriously, I let them pick a donut at the end of the grocery store just to bribe them.
You mean I should look forward to school? I never thought of shopping on my own. How joyous that will be!! :)
errands + kids = me not doing errands
ReplyDeleteHang in there, girl. Just a few more years till they're old enough for summer camp! No, I didn't just type that, did I?
ReplyDeleteYes, you do deserve a treat.
ReplyDeleteI'll let you in on the secret of shopping & treats, but it's too late to do you any good. Don't ever, ever start. It worked for me.
i hear ya, sistah!!! school is still in for us. but...about 2 weeks and i'll have all 5 home...plus, my husband...who is a teacher so he's on the same schedule!! let's run away, ok?!
ReplyDeletexo
I think the following stores should include a comfy lounge overlooking merchandise: Target, Toys R Us, Best Buy, and WalMart. If I could sit down with a good drink and watch from afar, I would be in a much better mood to buy something.
ReplyDeleteI can totally agree with you on the infant and the toddler stages. That's currently where I am now. I can only imagine it must get harder. My hubby usually goes grocery shopping on Sundays (thank goodness) for us. It's just sometimes not worth the trouble to take the little ones. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, because CO is a blue state, grocery stores can't sell anything stronger than 3.2% beer. Bleh. At least we'll be able to shop the liquor stores, starting July 6th. Yay! ;)
ReplyDeleteBut I hear ya, shopping with my two cherubs is exhausting. I try to get a "car cart," but if you're there with a bunch of other moms, you're SOL. Then there's fighting and running and my hair turning gray in the aisle...now that school is out (this afternoon...sob!), I'm going to have to do my shopping after bedtime. Ick.
Perfect, Absolutely. Wine. NOW.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite "me" time is running out to the store after dinner and LEAVING the kids HOME with Daddy!
Have a great time on Vacation. Blessings, EJT
I all about the wine at the check out.. I cannot stand going to the grocery store with the kids.. well not so much the baby, but my oldest.. He NEEDs everything.. I so hear you on this post.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can put your feet up and relax! I am with you about the shopping thing!
ReplyDeleteI am from the book of treats as bribery when errands with children must be run. And I always buy myself a lottery ticket as my reward for not strangling anyone.
ReplyDelete