Shopping with a Two-Year-Old
A one-minute cautionary tale for new parents
He runs ahead of me down the entire length of the cereal aisle, his tiny green tennis shoes flying. From the bottom shelf, he drags out a box of Cap’n Crunch that is so large he can scarcely carry it back to the cart.
“We are not buying that stuff, pal. Go put it back, please.”
“I needs it,” he says, trying to wrestle it into the cart.
“No, I’m sorry, honey. Go put it back.”
“I needs it!” he frowns, lower lip quivering.
“Nice try, little man, but, no. I’m sorry. You’ll have to put it back.”
“I NEEDS IT!” he screams, doing a frantic dance, green tennis shoes stomping furiously, right there in the aisle —
where everyone has the opportunity
to judge
my parenting skills.
And yet again, “I NEEDS IT!! I NEEEEDS IT!!!! WAAAAAGH!!!
“Oh well, that’s different,” I say. “In that case... I’ll help you put it back.”
The takeaway of this lesson for new parents: If you give in to the meltdown and buy the damned cereal just ONE time, you are doomed. These kids are smart. Fair warning!
Ever hear of the book by Dr James Dobson; the Strong Willed Child? You may have captured chapter one!
(and now I have to put that box of Cap'n Crunch back.)🙄
Nice story Sharron. Brought back memories for me too.