It was only out of sheer desperation that I even considered the idea.
My usual plan of attack for grocery shopping is simple...wait until Rick's home. Then I take one child with me, and we make a day of it. If I need just a few things, Rick is happy to run by the store on his way home. However, neither of these things were an option, and my only recourse (if we wanted milk, fruit, bread, and eggs) was to bundle them up and take them all.
All four littles, to the grocery store? It's not even a matter of their behavior, which is generally very good, but it's all about the logistics. Where do I put them all? I'm really good at the push and pull...with two carts. I've had to do that plenty of times--two carseats in one, groceries in the other. Trying to push a big double stroller with one hand, and pulling a cart with the other proved to be a little more tricky than I thought it would be.
I started out with Kate pushing the cart, and staying right behind me, with one of my hands helping to guide it. That worked really well, until we added the milk to the cart. She couldn't move it very well at that point, and the turns made me a little nervous. I could just imagine the whole cart tipping on it's side, right in the middle of the main aisle. Bless her little heart, she was doing the very best she could, despite not being able to see over the handle!
Then it was all me. I grabbed the cart with one hand, and the stroller with the other, and started making my way to the checkout. It was slow going, because my hand wasn't strong enough to keep the stroller going straight. So, I had to stop every few feet and readjust. Kate was still behind the cart, doing her best to help. The boys were having a heyday, because there was nothing to stop them from grabbing anything and everything off the shelves, all along our way.
I am quite sure that every person in the whole store was staring at us. Believe me, I'm used to being the main act (of a circus, lol), and drawing a lot of attention, stares, and comments. In fact, I think I've heard it all. But---I knew it was bad when a store employee came up to me and offered to push the grocery cart for me. I'm usually pretty independent, and I don't accept offers for help very often (okay, probably some pride in there, too), but I jumped at her very kind offer, and we finally made it to the checkout with my groceries and children in tow.
It took over an hour to get less than 15 items, but we made it. We had milk, and bread, and fruit for lunch, and I had four happy children. My dignity was still fairly impact.
It was worth it.
My usual plan of attack for grocery shopping is simple...wait until Rick's home. Then I take one child with me, and we make a day of it. If I need just a few things, Rick is happy to run by the store on his way home. However, neither of these things were an option, and my only recourse (if we wanted milk, fruit, bread, and eggs) was to bundle them up and take them all.
All four littles, to the grocery store? It's not even a matter of their behavior, which is generally very good, but it's all about the logistics. Where do I put them all? I'm really good at the push and pull...with two carts. I've had to do that plenty of times--two carseats in one, groceries in the other. Trying to push a big double stroller with one hand, and pulling a cart with the other proved to be a little more tricky than I thought it would be.
I started out with Kate pushing the cart, and staying right behind me, with one of my hands helping to guide it. That worked really well, until we added the milk to the cart. She couldn't move it very well at that point, and the turns made me a little nervous. I could just imagine the whole cart tipping on it's side, right in the middle of the main aisle. Bless her little heart, she was doing the very best she could, despite not being able to see over the handle!
Then it was all me. I grabbed the cart with one hand, and the stroller with the other, and started making my way to the checkout. It was slow going, because my hand wasn't strong enough to keep the stroller going straight. So, I had to stop every few feet and readjust. Kate was still behind the cart, doing her best to help. The boys were having a heyday, because there was nothing to stop them from grabbing anything and everything off the shelves, all along our way.
I am quite sure that every person in the whole store was staring at us. Believe me, I'm used to being the main act (of a circus, lol), and drawing a lot of attention, stares, and comments. In fact, I think I've heard it all. But---I knew it was bad when a store employee came up to me and offered to push the grocery cart for me. I'm usually pretty independent, and I don't accept offers for help very often (okay, probably some pride in there, too), but I jumped at her very kind offer, and we finally made it to the checkout with my groceries and children in tow.
It took over an hour to get less than 15 items, but we made it. We had milk, and bread, and fruit for lunch, and I had four happy children. My dignity was still fairly impact.
It was worth it.
14 comments:
I just posted a grocery store story too. How awesome that the store clerk offered to help. I understand about the stares, you feel the entire store is just blanking starring in shock.
I remember going through this with busy season when my girls were little. I was so lucky that the grocery store by us had free kiddie care. I think the kids had to be 2, but my kids loved it and it totally saved me.
Crazy girl! Call me next time - I would have watched the kids, or at least some of them while you went!!
I'm glad you took the offer for help! Most people love to be helpful and certainly aren't making any judgements... in fact, they are probably impressed that you are functioning so well! :)
you are one crazy woman. i don't think i could have done it. i better never hear of you doing it again without calling me first ;)
I can just imagine being a fly on the shelf and watching it all! The grocery scene sounds crazy...but you did it!!! But seriously, call one of us next time :)...play dates are lots of fun (and NO problem whatsoever)!!!
And now you can say you did it! I just loved reading the description of guiding the stroller ahead, and wishing I could have been there to help!! Not to take away the experience, but to help you conquer it! You're amazing.
Today, I heard about the most awesome thing - ordering groceries online. Maybe Meijer does that? I'm seriously considering it for when I for some reason can't get to the store.
You deserve a GOLD STAR--you are incredible.
I'm so glad someone helped you and especially glad you let them help.
Bravo! Isn't it amazing how just getting through the grocery store can feel like such a major accomplishment! Glad you made it home in one piece - and with happy kids to boot!
You're a trooper. I always wonder how people do it - good to hear the logistics and I could picture it so well ;-)I find the grocery store challenging enough with just two. In NY, there's a place called Dairy Barn. You drive up order a few things like bread, milk, cereal, then pay, and you're on your way. Wouldn't that be great to order ahead and then drive up for your full amount of groceries?!
wow.....I can't even imagine how that would be! But I bet it felt good to know you CAN do it!
I wish I was there to help out. That sounds really hard. I can only imagine. I only have two that are hard and I make a scene almost every time we go.
I relate! Down to every last detail.
Oftentimes I try to only load what I can fit in my double stroller. Cashiers (and the people behind me who think they got in line behind the lady with only a few things) are surprised at how many groceries I can fit under there. Practically a whole carts worth in the duo glide. Then I have the bagger grab me a cart when we are headed for the car - cause once items are bagged they don't fit as well under the stroller.
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