When Ryan was two and a half and Nathan was a newborn, we used to go to the Mall at least once a week just to get out of the house. I would pack the diaper bag and tuck Nathan in the stroller, and into the Mall we would go. We would walk around, pop into KB toys, sit in the food court and eat, it was a pleasant way to spend time together.
I just got back from what should have been a simple trip to the Mall so Ryan could buy some paperbacks. Instead, I feel like I just finished walking 10 miles carrying a buffalo. Kaitlyn didn’t WANT to sit in the food court and eat, and she didn’t WANT to walk over to the play area, and then she didn’t WANT to walk back, and oh yeah, she asked me to carry her but then while she was in my arms, she tried to squirm out of them by leaning over to the right until my ankle twisted and I FELL DOWN, holding her, and I ended up sort of laying her down with my arms under her to cushion the fall, except she bent back away from me and banged her head on the floor.
MOTHER OF THE YEAR, RIGHT HERE, THAT’S ME.
So then there we are right in the middle of the floor, me sitting down holding her while she cried, and all these people were just walking around us. Like, hello? Be a good citizen and ask us if we are okay, GEEZ. Finally a Mall security guy came over to see if she needed ice for her head or anything. Thank goodness I didn’t like snap my ankle or something. That’s what I get for trying to break in a new pair of wedge heel sandals at the Mall, you know?
What lessons did I learn today? Number one, be flexible when you take toddlers to the mall. You might have to get your food to go and eat it while you walk, because sometimes toddlers just do not want to sit still. Number two, always keep a stroller in the car. Umbrella strollers are inexpensive and are just fine for indoor use, and will hold a toddler who weighs up to 35 pounds. If you have a bigger child, you’ll have to upgrade, but it pays for itself when you don’t have to carry a flailing child through the mall. Number three, don’t wear NEW SHOES to the mall, especially not strappy wedge sandals.
I’m thinking I will stay out of Malls until Kaitlyn is old enough to behave herself while we are there. Like when she’s 35.
More From table4five
- Does anyone have a suggestion?
- Wayback Wednesday-Get to know me some more!
- Yes, I’ve become THAT kind of parent
table4five Recommends
- How to Have a Fantastic Road Trip, Even with Kids! (Mile High Mamas)
- SEO Link Building, you just got to have the right tools! (Chad Nicely)
I feel your pain.
Ya wanna borrow my velcro suit? Great for those days when they won’t stay where you put them! Let me know if I can do anything to help.
Ouch! Hope you’re both okay now.
I think the key difference on the two stories here, is the word STROLLER!
Twitter: AccidentalMommy
says:
You just earned an “accidental mommy moment” badge!
Thanks for visiting and leaving get well wishes for my friend, I really appreciate it!
Twitter: blm03
says:
This is why I don’t bring my kids out in public unless I have too
I’m sorry you had to deal with this. How rude that no one asked if you were okay! Geez! I remember the days too when leaving the house was so SIMPLE. Now I avoid it at all costs!! It’s easier to stay home and listen to the “I’m bored’s”.
I’m not at all surprised that nobody stopped to help you. Several years ago, my fiancé’s family was out having steak. His aunt started choking, and did the normal choking-person thing of standing up and stumbling into the middle of the restaurant, making the universal “I’m choking” sign with her hands across her throat. NOT A SINGLE PERSON IN THE RESTAURANT made any move towards her or even reacted. Luckily, she was able to expel it herself, but seriously…what is wrong with people?
Unfortunately, it can be dicey offering help. My husband offered helped to an older woman who was struggling in a mall parking lot. It was daylight, lots of people around. She didn’t view him as dangerous, she viewed him as insulting her abilities to handle her situation. The experience has made him think twice to do more than minimal courtesies as opening doors.
When you live in a world where every parent is put in a position to view every stranger as a threat first, it makes good people hesitate.
However an obviously choking woman without help is a said statement on us all.
I feel the same way about the mall. It is a nightmare to go there with kids! The salesperson who sold us the father’s day cologne after the boys spun all over the store just handed me the bag and said, “Good luck!” Yeah, luckily, an eternity later we all made it to the car in one piece.
It’s true you had a bad day at the mall. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take her to the mall anymore. Just next time choose between carrying her and the wedge high heel sandals.
Oh gosh. This is the stuff blogs are MADE for.
So, did you have a nice “trip”? Yuk yuk yuk… never mind. sorry. :$ Congrats on the Accidental Mommy badge, tho! lol!
Yeah it’s nasty that people don’t stop to ask if you are OK anymore.
Not a Mom out there that can’t relate!
That does deserve that accidental mommy moment badge! I had a similar thing happen with my niece. We were rollerblading and she started falling, so I grabbed her and she flung her legs out, which tripped up my skates, and we both fall into a heap in the middle of the rink, with people just staring at us. We laughed about it though, she’s a good little sport.
I vote for staying out of malls til she’s 35! Life will be much less complicated that way! (Either that or stick with tennis shoes . . .)
Mozi Esme’s Mommys last blog post..Update on Beans
normal dogum videolari ve goruntuleri burada
How is Ryan now? Is he still with you ?
Just another day in the life of a mom! You never know what your day is going to be like with little ones….
Its only best once you have ample money into your pocket.
.-= Parenting Your Child´s last blog ..What about children’s styles? =-.