Saturday Dilemma

Any parent that brings their little ones to the grocery store with a shopping list as long as the declaration of independence knows to say a prayer before getting out of their ultra deluxe, ultra sexy mini van. The overwhelming anxiety as to how the next hour or two may go can sometimes be unbearable. In fact, I know moms that avoid going to the grocery store with their children at all costs. These moms hold out for shopping on the weekends, leaving the unpredictable 3 footers at home with their dads. With their dads? Wait a minute; is that really the better choice? Personally, I find this to be a dilemma. Here’s the question, grocery store with the kids or the fear of the unknown with daddy? Now guys, lets not judge. Hear a mama out.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know what your thinking. What’s the big deal right? If you are a smart mom, you will be prepared. A smart mom will fill up the sippy cups, pack a couple of zip locks with cheerios, and maybe throw in a stick of gum for good measure. A really smart mom will take it to the next level and make each kid their own special shopping list so they feel included in the process. A really, really smart mom will teach them all about nutrition, the value of money, etc,etc. Sounds good in theory. In reality, all of the preparation ends up lasting for about 20 minutes. Here’s what happens. The milk is gone, the cheerios fell on the floor, and the gum is now stale. The shopping list got boring and the kids are too young to understand the value of money. (Admittedly, it took me 25 years to really learn that one.) And the worst part about this whole experience is that you haven’t reached the checkout counter yet. You know, 2’ by 4’candy bar lined esophagus that swallows you into the stomach of doom. That part always gets me. I end up having flashbacks of my own childhood and remember thinking how mean my mom was for never getting me anything. So I give in, trying to avoid my children from feeling the same way about me. Then when you do get them something, they expect it every time. Now, the clerk judges you, the grandma behind judges you, and you end up feeling like putty in your children’s hands. Bottom line, it’s a bad scenario. With all that ranting and raving, you might say leave the kids home with their dad. This is my fear.
The kids stay home with dad. A very good dad. A dad who is not only handsome, but smart and funny too. A dad that puts his family at the top of his priority list. A dad who is loved and appreciated very much. But even this dad can’t stop the fury of what comes next. The toys are taken out of every closet and never returned to their proper place. The lunch menu becomes a bowl of cereal. The sink gets loaded with unrinsed dishes, there are crumbs all over the floor, and somebody always ends up with a bruise. There could be blood, vomit, or poop, all of which will lead to another stain on the light beige carpet. Upon returning home, this mom is now in for some serious clean up time. So what if the grocery store was peaceful, the destruction that happened while mom was gone canceled out its success. Get out the violins. This mama is whining! But this is all so true. Its an unavoidable situation of parenting. Even really good parenting. This is my conclusion. Alternate option 1 and option 2 and hope for the best. Or, convince daddy to come to the store with you. Two parents are always better than one!