I had such a chuckle today. I saw it as a little study in human nature, and at first I wasnt too sure about it, but at the end I was encouraged! Too many times have I been bumped into, disregarded, and even criticized by others (mostly women) when out in stores with my kids. Today, however it was a different story!
I had to make a quick trip to Home Depot to pick up some supplies after having our kitchen counter replaced (side note: it looks very cool... photos soon to follow!). Now for those of you with kids, you understand that no trip is quick with 3 kids. But I braved it anyway. At 3:30pm I walked into HD with only 4 things to buy. My kids were somewhat cranky after being inside all day on this rainy dreary day. I was dreding this errand and gave my kids the "talk" inside the van before we even went inside: " ok, now stay with me. be sure to keep your hands to yourself. i need your help, guys. hello? anyone listening? stay right by me in the parking lot! guys???"
I got inside, and then...
1. someone offered me their cart since there wasnt any at the door
2. when looking at electrical plates, someone let me pass by
3. people apologized to me for asking me to move so they could pass (my cart with 3 monkeys took up the whole aisle)
4. an employee actually knew where something was and escorted me to it so i would find it
5. someone offered help as i walked carrying a 6' length of trim (pushing the cart with 3 monkeys one handed)
6. someone held a door for me
7. someone moved their cart QUICKLY when they saw me coming
8. some one offered for me to go in front of them in the check out line
9. a dude in a car stopped to let me cross the street and actually waved for me to do so
10. 3 guys in the parking lot asked me if i needed help loading the trim into my van. (normally this would make me suspiscious, but after my HD experience inside, I understood it was a genuine question)
SO, am I crazy or what? Maybe im just not used to people being kind to me like this, which is sad, but true. I'm more accostomed to "holding my ground" when Im out and about with my kids. All I can figure is that I guess being at Home Depot with 3 small kids is so unusual that it attracts the sympathy of guys, and women too, who "get" that fact that I am a disadvantaged, outnumbered and somewhat handicapped adult in that situation and they are willing, if not EAGER to help me! It really was amazing to me. It actually made my HD experience not so terrible after all.
What about you? do you help moms when you see them in stores? Have you ever been helped by a kind stranger with something small, but kind anyway?
I guess if you're going to HD with kids they know you NEED something... not just going to Target for an out-of-the-house errand or something!! Too funny. I try to make other moms feel normal if their kids are throwing a fit or something, instead of staring them down like some people do (as if their child has never had a tantrum anywhere).
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