Um, thanks, I think
It can be hard to maintain a teachable spirit.
If I'm in the mood, I can take instruction really well.
Unfortunately I'm not usually in any sort of receptive mood when shopping the aisles of Target, children in tow.
It is always a survival mission.
Get in, get the goods, get out, hopefully without losing a child or having one get hurt.
There are some lessons children don't get unless they learn the hard way.
For example, keeping their fingers away from the wheels when on the bottom of the cart.
(Great parenting, no, but remember, we're in survival mode.)
All the words in the world won't make the impression in their little minds like a wheel impression on their little hands.
Not the way I'd prefer to teach but there are natural consequences and they work better than mine do.
So when the Target employee decides they need to take my child's well-being into their own hands, I get a little...irritated.
Yes, I have told them to keep their hands away.
Heck, I tried keeping them out of the bottom all-together but it became the lesser of two evils.
For some reason, our local Bullseye store has made it their personal mission to ensure my child's safety and I'm having a hard time being grateful.
I've told them to sit.
I've threatened to leave.
I've even left when necessary (without completing the mission).
If I'm asking my child to sit and am almost out the door, don't feel the need to add to my misery and tell me my child should sit, or keep their hands out, or whatever.
I know.
I'm trying.
And I'm biting my tongue to keep from wrongly taking out my frustration on you.
It's in those moments that my reaction counts the most.
Prayerfully I've been asking for a change of heart and appreciation for the concern of others.
I think I may have better luck just staying away...
If I'm in the mood, I can take instruction really well.
Unfortunately I'm not usually in any sort of receptive mood when shopping the aisles of Target, children in tow.
It is always a survival mission.
Get in, get the goods, get out, hopefully without losing a child or having one get hurt.
There are some lessons children don't get unless they learn the hard way.
For example, keeping their fingers away from the wheels when on the bottom of the cart.
(Great parenting, no, but remember, we're in survival mode.)
All the words in the world won't make the impression in their little minds like a wheel impression on their little hands.
Not the way I'd prefer to teach but there are natural consequences and they work better than mine do.
So when the Target employee decides they need to take my child's well-being into their own hands, I get a little...irritated.
Yes, I have told them to keep their hands away.
Heck, I tried keeping them out of the bottom all-together but it became the lesser of two evils.
For some reason, our local Bullseye store has made it their personal mission to ensure my child's safety and I'm having a hard time being grateful.
I've told them to sit.
I've threatened to leave.
I've even left when necessary (without completing the mission).
If I'm asking my child to sit and am almost out the door, don't feel the need to add to my misery and tell me my child should sit, or keep their hands out, or whatever.
I know.
I'm trying.
And I'm biting my tongue to keep from wrongly taking out my frustration on you.
It's in those moments that my reaction counts the most.
Prayerfully I've been asking for a change of heart and appreciation for the concern of others.
I think I may have better luck just staying away...
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