I was forced to make a mad dash into Helmart this eve for a gallon of milk. I am ALWAYS disgruntled when forced into this evil den of cheapness.
My neighborhood Helmart has 24 checkouts-none of which are self-check. It doesn't matter what time of day or night I go, there are NEVER EVER more than four lanes open. The lines could be twelve people deep and they will not open another lane.
However, desperate times call for desperate measures.
Big Yankee promised to make chocolate chip pancakes for dinner and came home to find two drops of milk. The kids were desperate for some Daddy time which is how I ended up in the sea if inefficiency.
As I yanked on a cart trying to break it free from the chain gang, I saw two young women hoisting a baby carrier into a cart and trying to figure out what to do with a young boy. I moved past them quickly and went about my business.
I was en route to the boys section when I came across the small group again. He was crying and clearly exhausted for traipsing around the fiery pits of retail hell.
He was being THREE.
At 7:30 at night
in cramped store
with blaring music
and bright lights.
Mom proceeds to loudly say, "You keep crying like this and I'm calling Santa. I'm telling him to take back ALL of your presents. Every single one. No, I'm going to tell him to give all of your toys to cousin Owen and you get nothin."
And he cried harder.
My heart broke for him.
He's three. It's not even December and you are using the Santa threat on him? Come on lady, mom up!
What are your thoughts on the Santa threat?
6 comments:
Hold on a moment while I get up on my soap box... Santa, the Elf on the Shelf, or even the "Wait until your dad gets home" simply take away a mom's authority. Never use them. As for the mom in the store, clearly and empty threat, which is also something that takes away a mom's authority and should never be used.
Thanks for getting me into a nice little annoyed state so early in the morning! :)
Sounds like she should trade her guy in for an Owen ;) Kidding! Santa Threats should be used sparingly. Time-Outs though...they're seasonless!
I'm not saying I haven't used the Santa threat a time or two in the past (my boys are old enough to know better know) but that's just wrong to do to a three year old being forced to ride around Helmart after dark. Poor kid.
Ugh. I'm not a fan of empty threats as it is, but to use something that comes once a year that means so much to kids... just ugh. I'm going to give mom the benefit of the doubt - maybe she doesn't know any better because her parents did the same to her.
Bu my heart breaks for that little boy, because I'm guessing that's the kind of parenting he is getting year-round.
Sad really. It is amazing what you see in Walmart, I had forgotten what that experience was about.
I hate it, and that story is exactly why. Threats are low parenting anyway. I mean, I use them, but they aren't my best trick. Besides, how sucky is Christmas if you are worried you did something bad to Santa and got kicked to the bad list. Plus, if kids see some kids get little to no presents, will they think Santa thought those other kids were bad?
Long story short, Santa is good, don't make him an a-hole.
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