A Web Site For Toronto Mommies

Published April 14, 2009 @ 08:07 by Tania in Amazing Kids, Shopping and Stuff

Yesterday I was old Mother Hubbard. Except that we have a cat instead of a dog. But the cupboards were bare.

Last night my plan was to leave after sushi to run out to the grocery store so that we could eat today. I knew it was a little crazy. With the stores closed on Friday and Sunday, I knew it would be busy, but I couldn't put it off any longer.

I wrote my list, gathered my bags, and went to leave. Three little children, who really wanted to go grocery shopping at 8 pm last night, followed me.

They each got a job to do: Son One - the list; Son Two - the bags; and, Daughter - stop crying or I will leave you at home with your father.

Lately I have been getting off easy. Either I take Daughter to the grocery store while her brothers are at school, or I go alone when Husband is home. Last night they wanted to come, and I was pretty sure it would be find.

First, they each got to pick one treat that Son One added to the list (at first I find it hard when he became literate as Husband and I could no longer spell everything we didn't want the kids to know, but now it comes in handy.) On the drive I explained the regular rules to them: we stick together; no fighting; no yelling; and no running.

Daughter sat in the cart, while the boys picked out the items. We had a 10-minute wait at the deli counter, and I think that they kept most people entertained. The kids were actually better behaved than some of the adults at the store.

After 45 minutes, we lined up to pay. They wanted to do the self-checkout, but I had a full cart and I really wanted them home in bed.

As soon as we were in line, the compliments started:

Oh, they are so beautiful!

You are all such good helpers to mommy.

Look at them all!

You should be the coach for the Leafs! You do a great job with your team.

And then comments change:

You really have your hands full.

You brought the whole team shopping?

You are so brave.

How many are there?

Is it so shocking for one person to be responsible for 3 kids? OK, maybe there is a certain bravery required to be a parent, but I don't really count grocery shopping. They are 3, 5, and 7 - all of them can listen and follow direction. Plus, they are my kids! I shouldn't have had three kids if I could take them all somewhere and get things done. Yes, it is hard sometimes. If I really need back-up, there is Husband and Nana - but that is usually in response to the all of them not wanted to go somewhere, or the place we are going needed to be just me, or just me and one child (like a specialist's appointment.)

Yesterday I went shopping for a few hours with my new running friends. They were glad that I was able to come, and commented on how wonderful my husband was to stay home with the three kids. They are his kids! He is parenting, not babysitting. If he wasn't able to watch all three, we shouldn't have had three.

As the kids get older, it gets easier and easier to go places with them. It also gets easier and easier to find someone to leave them with. I am starting to find a freedom that I thought I had lost forever when my first son was born, but I can actually have some time to myself without feeling guilty.

They have learned that if they behave, they are more likely to be taken along to different places than left behind. Win-win. I look like a super amazing mom for being able to keep all of the kids in line, the kids are able to go different places and sometimes even get stuff.