A.J. and I took a simple trip to Big Lots, but it became anything but simple. To make a long story short. I gave A.J. my car keys to play with in order to avoid a melt down he was about to have. Normally I get my keys back, but this time I got distracted and forgot. Because he’s now a “Big Tot,” he didn’t want to ride in the cart.
He ran all over the store, with me always near. It was frustrating, but I wanted to respect his growing independence.
As I walked to the car however, I realized that I didn’t have my keys. Neither did A.J. When I asked him about my keys, he shrugged his little shoulders as if to say, “I don’t know where they are.”
While I searched all over the store with A.J. in tow, he cried and thrashed around until I felt compelled to force him into the cart so I could focus on my search. He cried the entire time. I was so embarrassed. I couldn’t believe this was happening.
The workers were polite enough to help me search. I think it was more for their sanity, than out of the kindness of their hearts. (LOL/just kidding!) The search unfortunately was futile.
Meanwhile, A.J. wanted to nurse and was melting down even further from being in the store so long. I wanted to scream and felt inside like the picture below. I was indeed the other “Big Tot” in Big Lots.
This is a reenactment. Motherhood makes for good comedy!
After two hours of being in the store, I stopped my search, bought some snacks, picked up a few books to read with A.J. and made myself right at home on one of the comfy couches.
I nursed A.J., played with him and had story time, while I waited for my husband who was working an hour away, to bring the spare key. My frustration turned into enjoyable moments with my son as I began to patiently wait. A.J. began to patiently wait with me.
Near the three hour mark, a customer found my keys. They were somewhere near the soap. I must admit, I did feel a twinge of disappointment at having to leave because we had gotten into a reading, nursing, and snacking groove. The timeout had given me an opportunity to relax my mind and adjust my expectations. Needless to say, I was grateful and thankful to have recovered my keys.
Has this ever happened to you? I hope not. (Smile)
Pray, Persist and Prosper! (I needed more of this at Big Lots!)
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