Today, I was "that mom." You know what I'm talking about... That mom that everyone is whispering under their breaths needs to get her children under control. It wasn't an anything out of the ordinary day. We went to the Y then headed to Walmart. Everything was fine until halfway through the store when Caden starts chanting that he needs to go potty. So, I take him to the family restroom. He does nothing so I grab the kids (as my patience is waining) and take them to the cart.
So begins all out sobbing, tears rolling off cheeks, snot dripping, and shouting that indeed he does need to go potty. At this point we are in the very back of the store. I calmly just push the cart (and Caden who is trying to push the cart back to the bathroom) to the front to check out. He is putting on a real show. I can feel the stairs from people. Questioning my ability to parent. Ever so calmly I put our items on the check out, pay, offer to take Caden to the restroom in the front. Oh no. No, no, no. More sobs. Because he can't use THAT restroom. He wants to go all the way to the back of the store to the family restroom. The Caden melt down show continued to escalate and lasted a good twenty minutes. Somehow, I managed to get the kids to the car & home. All I could think, as the tension in my shoulders began to mount is... I am so sorry people. I am sorry to every mom I ever judged or questioned when your kids were having meltdowns. Sorry for disrupting your peaceful shopping. I had no idea my kid would have a major melt down today because of a potty. But please don't judge. I feel your glares and questions about who is on control. And maybe, somehow I had lost control today. All I know is a momma, no matter how well equipped, cannot anticipate such meltdowns. They come when least expected. I'm just really thankful for grace today to make it through the meltdown moment without having a meltdown of my own. In case you were wondering, he did make it home and to the bathroom...& the sobs eventually did cease.
