Let’s be honest: grocery shopping with a fussy toddler is more challenging than a game of Jenga while blindfolded. Food is one of those annoying “basic human needs,” and while I would love a moment of peace, I can’t let my little ones starve into silence. So, when I find myself scraping the bottom of an empty snack bag or flipping the car seats upside down in search of forgotten treats, I know it’s time to hit the store. With my kids strapped in, I brace myself for the inevitable chorus of cries and complaints as we navigate the aisles in search of the few items they’ll actually eat.
Seriously, it’s like biting the hand that feeds you. And yes, I’ve returned from these outings with toddler teeth impressions on my fingers. I’m not sure what’s so horrible about riding in a shopping cart while I sift through coupons, but it seems to trigger a full-blown meltdown every time.
As if managing a screeching child in a packed grocery store isn’t hard enough, I regularly encounter well-meaning strangers who feel compelled to offer unsolicited advice or observations. Let’s be clear: these comments rarely help.
Here are seven things that no mom wants to hear while her child is throwing a tantrum at the grocery store:
- “Oh, poor thing!” Please don’t coddle my child. He’s not in any real danger; he’s just being wheeled around in a cumbersome cart while I spend my hard-earned cash on snacks that will likely end up crushed in the couch or lodged in my nose during a nap.
- “He’ll tire himself out!” That’s the hope, but it’s as likely as finding a unicorn in aisle five.
- “What’s wrong?” Seriously? First, I can’t hear you over the noise, and second, do you think asking him will magically make everything okay? If he does manage to stop crying long enough to answer, what do you plan to do with that information? It’s not like you can offer him a nap or a toy.
- “Looks like someone needs a nap!” Well, yes, someone could benefit from a little shut-eye. But I don’t think you want to take over the shopping duties while I grab some Nyquil and catch a few Z’s in the minivan.
- *Leans in and pokes child* Hey, have you ever heard of “Don’t poke the bear”? You just made my kid go from slightly annoyed to a raging grizzly.
- “I remember those days!” This either makes you a liar or a forgetful person. If you really recall what it’s like to deal with a screaming child, you wouldn’t be so eager to engage. Maybe take your nostalgia to the herbal aisle and leave the rest of us alone.
- “Anything at all.” Seriously, just pay for your cat food and keep your opinions to yourself. You might also want to consider a trip to the pasta aisle; it seems like you’ve forgotten how to use your noodle.
At the end of the day, if I can’t soothe my own child, a random bystander isn’t going to do the trick. All they do is draw more attention to the chaos and extend my shopping trip. After battling my way through the store for what feels like an eternity, all I want is to return home and indulge in a box of Cosmic Brownies.
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Summary
When navigating the grocery store with a screaming child, unsolicited comments from strangers can make an already stressful situation worse. From well-meaning advice to nostalgic musings, there are certain remarks that no mom wants to hear during a meltdown. Ultimately, the best approach is for bystanders to remain silent, allowing parents to manage the chaos as best they can while they look forward to indulging in a treat once they’re home.