The best part about having school-aged kids is that I get to shop alone (well most of the time).
I always knew when Scott was having a tantrum you could hear him from the other side of the store. Well today my assumption was confirmed:
Unfortunately I had to go back to Target after my kids came home from school because an item I bought didn't make it home. After standing in line to locate the item we grabbed two more things from the store. It was actually a pretty fast trip. In those few minutes Scottie started screaming, throwing toys, grabbing things off of the shelves and hitting anything or anyone he could come in contact with.
Because we have seen behavioural specialists the correct procedure to handle the situation is to either ignore or leave. I chose to ignore as I do most of the time. Pretty sad for the people around me...
We were in a short line to check out but with my great luck the lady in front of us had a problem with her purchase. (time seems to slow down when you have a child flipping and you are in front of an audience- by the way my face doesn't even turn red anymore; I am so past that!) Suddenly Carol (one of the aides from Scotties class) came up to me. She said she heard a kid screaming from the other side of the store and she thought it sounded familiar. She walked around until she found us right at the front. Assumption Confirmed!!
I always wonder what is really going on inside the minds of the people who are getting their ear drums blown out while watching me struggle with him...I know he doesn't look like a special needs child so what are they thinking? Do they feel bad for me or do they feel bad for Scott? Probably just for themselves!
7 comments:
I think anyone in the small-children-stage-of-life feels "there but for the grace of God go I" and has compassion on you (and others, of course)...
But something happens, I think, to people - parents, even - who've moved on from that stage. I swear, you don't think it could happen but people full on FORGET how unpredictable and volatile small children can be... and that seems to result in less compassion for the tantrum-ing child and his or her hapless (and sometimes helpless) parents.
I carried Maggie screaming from our new splash park the other day... and this other mom just had a huge, knowing smile on her face. She was just trying to say, "I totally get it."
It's kind of nice when someone throws you that little bone...
I think it is easier said than done to say, "who cares what others think", but in your case, you are such a special person with a special child, and if anyone thinks anything other than compassion, they will certainly have their day to be judged and I wouldn't want to be in their shoes. If they could walk a day in your shoes they would be humbled and learn true love and compassion.
We miss you and your family here in Elk Grove!
I think I found you in Target one day like that too! I agree with Melissa in that I think that some people forget when they get past that stage, and especially as they get closer to the grandparent stage. It is too bad but we are all just doing the best we can right? Who cares what the rest think.....
P.S. I love you new profile picture
I guess it's too bad for me that I live in a town full of college students and retired people!
I think I am getting closer to that -I don't care what you think point, but it doesn't stop the fact that EVERYONE IS LOOKING AT US! Keith gets all trippy when people stare.
I think you are just an amazingly strong person, and with all you've been through, you are one of the most positive people I know! You have such a great outlook on life. And you're beautiful, inside & out! I miss you guys!
-K
okay, so this is backwards --- but do you think there is some shoplifter out there just delighted your child is distracting people? i wish we could hear the onlookers tell the story later, ".... and his mother was SO CALM. not even looking frazzled. it was the strangest thing !" ha!
Amber, you are amazing. Even if people don't know Scottie is a special needs kid, I think (most) people can appreciate a child losing it in a public place. And I'm one of those (because I have small kids, I know), who gives other moms the "I know just how you feel" smile as they're hauling their child out of the store. But you truly are a wonderful person!
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