One of our local grocery stores has little carts. S loves them. Every time we go there, if there are little carts, he wants one. He is pretty good about steering them, but he is 3!
Yesterday, I took A, S and his friend O, to the grocery store with me. They had 2 little carts, so I let S and O get a cart each. They were doing a pretty good job of steering them, not bumping into too many things :)
At one point, we were walking down a main aisle and they were behind me a little as I was searching for something. I hear S scream then say "STOP IT!" I turned around and asked him what was wrong? He looked at me, just so sad and upset and said, "That lady said she was going to spank me". I said, "What?" S: "That mean lady said she was going to spank me". I then told him to show me where this lady was.
Well, down the frozen foods aisle was a woman and her husband, probably in their late 60's. I walked up to her and and said,
"Did you tell my son you were going to spank him?" (I still was in disbelief that I had to ask this)
B (Insert any B word you'd like here): If he didn't stop hitting people with his cart I would.
Me: Well, that is not your place. If you have a problem with my child, you come talk to me, his Mother.
B: I don't think he should have that cart. I don't like those carts, the store shouldn't have them.
Me: Well, they do, so if you don't like it, you should shop somewhere else.
B: Yes, I know. I'm sorry.
Me: Don't apologize to me, apologize to my son.
B: (very patronizingly) I'm sorry.
B's husband: You need to learn him some manners.
Me: He is THREE, he's learning. Man, you all act as if you've never been around children before.
B: (looking quite proud) Oh, we have grandchildren.
Me: Well, I certainly hope you don't treat them like this.
They then walked away, as did I, but I was shaking. You do not threaten my child, or any child for that matter. I don't spank my child, why would it be ok for a complete stranger to??? I just can not believe that this woman would say that to a sweet little child!!!!!! I am still floored and just so saddened by the whole experience. Later, I told S and O to be careful with their carts and he said, "Yeah, or the mean lady will come and spank us". Oh, if she'd laid a hand on my child....GRRRRRRRRRR (that's the Mama Bear in case you didn't know).
4 comments:
HOLY CRAP!!! That is out of control! Good for you for finding that woman and putting her in her place. I hope she feels embarrassed and understands how completely out of line she was. Threatening to hit people?? Yeah, if she had threatened to hit an adult it would be threatening assault. Why should that be different with children??? Shouldn't there be more stringent rules when dealing with kids??
Ohmygosh. Not that I would wish it on a child, but I'd just LOVE to see an adult hit them so I could pop them a good one. What in the world are people thinking?!?! I do love it though that he said, yeah or that mean lady will spank us. LOL. Goodness. I can only imagine what my husband would have done.
I am so impressed that you stayed calm and told her what's what! I would have just freaked out and wouldn't be able to say anything. I still can't believe what people think they can do or say regarding kids. Ugh.
OH MY GOODNESS! I've never heard of anyone saying that to a child! I am so happy that you spoke up to her and that she "apologized" to your son. So uncalled for! I am still in shock.
Post a Comment