When Mommy Does The Wrong Thing

Our kids tend to think we're perfect. They think mom and dad are the best at everything, that we're magic, that we don't make mistakes.  So, when we do mess up, it feels awful!

Aubrey Sampson, a writer for Hello Dearest, This Is Motherhood, recently shared her own feelings about doing the wrong thing as a mom. Here's what she has to say:

Recently I became that mom at the grocery store. The one we all promise ourselves we’re never going to become. I’m not talking about the cute mom in kitten heels and 7 for All Mankind jeans. Nope, I was the lady in jeggings, no makeup, and a sloppy ponytail, causing a scene in front of her children.

I made the mistake of shopping when my kids were hungry and I was in a hurry. So I spent most of the trip flinging food into the cart while yelling at my three sons to sit still and stop eating all the groceries. By the time I pulled into the checkout line, I was sweating from stress and exhaustion. (#hotmess)

The cashier took one look at me and my boys. Then, in a voice loud enough for the customers behind me to hear, she reprimanded me because my youngest wasn’t properly buckled into the cart—and refused to give me my groceries until he was.

He should’ve been securely fastened. I own it. But rather than simply apologizing to her, buckling him in, and keeping what (very) little dignity I had intact, I freaked out.

“This is the most ridiculous thing ever!” I yelled this statement. Not a whisper, not even a raised voice. This was a full-on, causing-people-to-stare-at-me, yell. I then proceeded to buckle my son into the cart with such pomp and circumstance I just knew the customers in line behind me would applaud my chivalry in light of this unjust personal affront. (They didn’t. Mostly they were just annoyed I was taking so long.) I paid quickly and stomped out of the store like a petulant toddler.

Thankfully, I've never been the hot mess in the grocery store with hungry kiddos and no time… but I've been in similar situations and I'm not too sure I handled it better. Sometimes, moms mess up. So, what did Aubrey do about it?  Read all about how she approached the cashier a few days later and taught her sons a valuable lesson in facing your own shame at Hello Dearest, This Is Motherhood.