Adventures of Shopping With Little Tots

How many times have you gone into a grocery store, shopping mall, Wal-Mart, you name it, and just prayed to God that you would get in and out with your sanity in one peace because you had your little tots with you? The anticipation of cute little foaming mouths ready to spew out "I want toy...I want that guy...no, I want this..." and so on, and so on about 100 mph can make any parent quiver. The cruel torture about to take place upon entering the store can be unending and overwhelming. Heaven forbid if you tell your kid, "No, you can't have that!"

Next thing you know, the whining starts with looks on their little faces as if someone just died. They make their demands and you tell them no again. The loud cries come bursting out along with hand gestures and emotional breakdown dance moves that would even make the likes of John Travolta jealous. Academy award winning acts can take place in these moments with your little ones just like the act that took place in front of my eyes recently.

I had the pleasure of taking all my kids with me to Wal-Mart. Of course, being a single dad, most of the time I have no choice but to take all of them with me unless I have a friend watch them. For some reason, this place has been coined, "Wally World", by many people in the Carolinas. Wal-Mart is great for many people because of the lower prices and one-stop shopping for all your needs. I frequently shop at Wal-Mart and my kids know the layout of the store. Most importantly, they know where the toy section is. Low and behold, I took a deep breath before entering the store.

Everything was smooth sailing for a little awhile, thankfully, as I picked up some groceries while accommodating them with a few of their "want" desires relative to their choice of yogurt, chips, juice, and cookies. However, after picking up some diapers and pull ups (we were closer to the toy section), CJ exclaimed, "I want a toy!" Then Tyler followed with a yell, "I want a toy!" Sweet little Maddie followed in sync of course with her older brothers. An older female lady who heard the yells walked by with a smile on her face as I squeamishly walked towards the toy section to prevent further commotion. When you have loud shouts like that from little kids, it's hard NOT to attract attention. It rivals the attention one would get when you yell, "Bingo!", in a bingo hall and everyone turns to look right at you.

Nevertheless, we arrived at the toy section with shouts of excitement,"Yay...toys!" Smiling faces galore were found on all their faces as if it was Christmas Day. I was cringing on the other hand as I was thinking about how I was not going to give in if the kids asked for this very thing. But what parent doesn't want to put smiles on their kids faces when they ask for something, right? It gives me joy just to make them happy! In addition, peace for that very moment will come when everyone is happy and I can walk out of the store with my sanity in one peace. Besides, I take my children everywhere and they always seem to find their way back home. In all seriousness, I suggested certain less expensive toys to the kids. Luckily for me, Madison was happy with hers after looking at different suggestions. The boys on the other hand were a challenge.

CJ begged and whined for $20+ dollar Wolverine claws that you wear over your hand and arm. I was looking at the $5.00 toys and I reasoned with him regarding this which led to him being satisfied with another choice of his given my options. I've been defeated in battle so far but I've made a valiant effort. Two down, one more to go! Tyler strutted down the aisle saying, "I want...I want...I want..." for every transformer, GI-Joe, and X-Men toy that he could possibly name. When I said no to the toys he requested and suggested again the cheaper five dollar toys which had some of the characters he was looking for, look out!

Tyler started with his usual pout when told no with his bottom lip hanging out, but this Daddy was sticking to his guns on the $5 choice of toys. The whining pout turned into loud cries as he kept saying "I want Spiderman, I want Wolverine, I want Bumble Bee" again and again. THEN, all of a sudden...he stopped as if to say he was surrendered. The cries stopped, the jumping came to a screeching halt, and Daddy was starting to think for one second that he's won! A complete calmness came over him, the pout still on his face, the tears clearing up, and then he laid himself down slowly on the hard floor...face down (just like Daddy when he pretends to play dead on our living room floor with his arms and legs completely sprawled out). The scene was soooo funny that I had to control myself from bursting out in laughter. I actually had to turn my head so he wouldn't see the smile on my face because as he was on the floor face down, I actually saw him turn his head with a little smile on his face as if to say he knew exactly what he was doing.

Needless to say, there was no line of reasoning that was going to work with this little three year old. I told him to get up with a warning and he did. He knew that I wasn't giving in to his choices. I proceeded to talk up the other choices in excitement and we finally found a toy that he was happy with. The battle was finally over and all the kids were smiling when we walked out of the store...yes!

Before I had children, I had a hundred theories about raising children. Now, I have three children and no theories. One thing about parents I've noticed is that no matter what stage your child is in, the parents who have older children always tell me the next stage is worse. Until then, for all you young parents out there, keep plenty of hand sanitizers ready when your kids drop to the floor and stick to your guns! The battles may change but the adventures of shopping with kids never ends!