At least in my house they are. Shortly after moving into our ‘permanent’ home, I started using Amazon Fresh grocery delivery. I knew it was the best thing to happen since, well, ever, but I needed some groceries today and I thought we’d make a day trip out of it. I also needed to search for a waterproof jacket for Isaac. (Who could’ve guessed he’d need one of those??) We hit up a few thrift stores and the Goodwill in search of a jacket, but didn’t find one. Isaac did fine in those stores. I’d even say he was angelic. I let him play with the toys for awhile and when it was time to go, he put them down and we left and that was that. I thought “Man shopping trips are easy now!”
Then we went to the grocery store. We use the “car carts” that have a little car attached to the front. I know they are embarrassing, but for a long time, they worked great in keeping him distracted. Not today, my friends. He was entertained from the parking lot to about 3 feet inside the doors. Then he was ready to climb out, which he’s not allowed to do. He either sits in the cart or in the car cart. He immediately began to throw a fit, which included his recently acquired ear piercing squelch, followed by screaming NOoooooooooo, Darth Vader style.
I eventually got him to calm down by offering to let him watch a cartoon on my iPhone, which worked out well for about two minutes. He started up another fit and then slapped me, which in the last couple of weeks has been a HUUUUGE no-no. He hasn’t done it in several days, so I think my immediate scolding voice “DO NOT HIT ME” and holding onto his arm was enough to make him rethink his approach. I think he was coming up with his plan for the next 10 minutes, but I was okay with that because I finished most of my shopping and was about to head to the cash register. Then he lost it again. I don’t even know what it was about now, but he screamed at he top of his lungs and said “DON’T HIT ME!!” I have to clarify that I do not spank him. I do not hit him. The only way he knows this phrase is from me saying it to him in an attempt to break his angry/fit habit of slapping at me.
It was mortifying and if I hadn’t completed my shopping already, I would’ve walked right out of the place. It’s just to difficult for me to shop and I didn’t want to wait for a delivery, so we battled our way through checkout, literally, and we bailed. I tried not to make eye contact because it was one of those moments where I might’ve gone ape shit if an adult had given me one of those ‘control your kid’ looks. But right when I was wheeling my basket out, I glanced back at the lady behind me and she gave me a very nice, sympathetic smile. I felt a little better.
Then I went back to Goodwill and left Isaac in the donation box. The moral of this story is, if you’re two and you throw a fit and embarrass your mom in the grocery store, you will be donated to society.
Actually, while we were driving home, I got a really great view of the Olympic Mountains and the Puget Sound and it drastically changed my mood. Also on the trip home, I glanced back at the boy and gave him a big *SIGH*, which made him let out this all-knowing giggle. Which made me giggle. Which made him giggle and snort. Which made me laugh. And then we laughed and laughed and I was glad I didn’t actually donate him.
All of this to say, I really love Amazon Fresh.