I have been trying to use my 6 kid-free hours a week to shop and run errands. It is so much easier to go alone, especially now that it is cold. I only have myself to buckle and unbuckle and I can run into the store without any children slowing me down.
So yes, it is easier. In theory, that is.
In reality, it is scary. I have no less than 15 panic attacks in each new store. Out of nowhere, my knees buckle, my heart starts beating out a violent plot to escape from my body, and I am running back to the last aisle looking for a missing kid. Then I am left shaking and wobbly, and as soon as I compose myself and go back to shopping mindlessly, it hits again. I can not get used to not having shopping partners. I have no one to talk to and I am not at all sure what to do at the checkout lane. No one is trying to pluck candy and gum from the shelves, no one is talking or fighting, and I find myself standing there in a horrible awkward silence with the cashier. I find myself looking around and feeling like I have forgotten something, my purse, my pants, something.
And it scares me. Really, truly scares me.
But you know what scares me more?
One day, I will probably get used to it. Shudder!
Second Week of School
3 years ago
10 comments:
Hahaha. Shudder away. You will get used to it, and one day you'll have a grandchild in tow and think, "I used to do this with six???? (well, for me, anyway). Just enjoy. Or stay home and putter around the house until you have your companions again. (I know, I know, the last thing you do is putter...)
Once again, the exact opposite for me. I can't shop if I have more than 1 child in tow unless Mike is with me to help. My oldest girls get so rambunctious that I have a panic attack. I end up leaving behind half the things I needed just to get out of the store quicker. You are one brave woman to prefer having all your kids with you during shopping trips.
Sigh...it's only the beginning Julie. I've been having panic attacks because what if something happens at school and I can't get to the kids. Letting them go is hardest on mom for sure.
Yes, you will get used to it. Just wait until the wind chill is 20 below and you HAVE to run out to grab something or go somewhere, and there are 3 screaming kids who HAVE to go with you, and at least one of them will NOT put a coat on, or wants to stay, or decides to puke just then. You will long for the 6 hours/week without the kids. But then again---
And one of these days--they come far too soon!--you will be standing at a checkout, and looking at the frazzled mom in head of you, and you will almost cry because your kids will be grown and gone. And you will wish you were that frazzled mom again.
Okay, you SERIOUSLY need to move closer sometime before your kids get too old. I can see you are going to need some sister interventions to get you through the teenage/empty nest times!
We will be the Golden Girls...based on this post, you are Rose.
(in case you are wondering)
Sylvia: me
Dorothy: Kelly
Blanche: Kristen
I think I've got used to it now. I tend to do my shopping alone lately... but I do miss the kids while there too... most of the time.
Julie, Sometimes I do stay home and putter or hope my sister will call or something so that I can avoid the lonely errand runs.
Okay Jen, I didn't say I enjoyed shopping with the kids. It invites it's own special kind of anxiety. I am just so used to it and I feel kind of lost without them stressing me out.
Ann, Do you have surveillance on me? Just yesterday Chloe refused a coat and then refused to walk so we all had to freeze to death while I dragged her along.
Val, You are the queen of the Golden Girls and you biffed up Sofia's name? It was Sofia, wasn't it? No matter what her name was, that was a funny comment and you assigned us all just right.
Haha!! I put Sylvia?? That cracks me up! Maybe I'm ready for my induction to the Golden Girls lifestyle right now...haha!
You are so funny. I love the akward silence with the cashier because that means I don't have to talk to anyone or tell anyone no or answer fifty questions about why the cashier is pushing that button. I won't get to have any quiet trips for a while now though, at least until Laila isn't an attatched appendage anymore.
I say just embrace the awkwardness of it. Next time, try going pants-less on purpose. I bet you won't be thinking about not having kids with you! =)
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