I am sure as a parent we have all been there. A little errand that needs to be done that can't wait until the other half gets home, or when we have someone to watch the kids while we pop out. When this little errand has to be performed with little children in tow, the 'little' part of the sentence no longer exists and it is replaced by 'nightmare'.
This happened to me yesterday when I had to pop to the post office. It was a job that had to be done yesterday as I had been a naughty ebayer and hadn't yet sent off a parcel someone had bought a few days earlier.
Now with the big post office being closed down in our town it has been replaced by a few little ones dotted around the town. The fact it was Monday morning and less than 3 weeks to Christmas didn't dawn on me and as we pulled up to the shop panic came over me, there were no spaces! Then on the way to the entrance I heard one man saying 'they are just chatting while there is a queue out the door' and I was hoping he was meaning for the shop not the post office. I was still being hopeful until we entered the shop.
The queue was in fact at the door and weaving between the shops aisles filled with sweets and bottled alcoholic beverages. A minefield when you have two small children that don't do queueing and waiting and were desperate to get to soft play.
My initial thought was to leave and come back later but with my husband not back from work until late I would just have to return with the boys, so we got into the queue. We had literally been stood there 2 seconds and it started, Noah started grabbing the chocolate goodies that were on display while Finley's hand was wriggling from my grip. Luckily the lady in front of me asked the age gap of the boys, said she had the same and she knew how it was. A friendly, sympathetic companion in the queue was just what I needed.
So we waited 25 minutes!!!! In this time the boys fought with each other, they disabled my phone, they nearly hit over a display of crates of beer, Finley licked a wrapped lolly pop, Noah screamed and kicked me, Noah made Finley cry, Finley made Noah cry, they nearly hit a whole shelf of things off and I smiled through gritted teeth. Because if I didn't I would have lost my s*** or ended up crying!
We finally got to the post office till point and I was fraught, and I am sure the cashier could see this. And she went as slow as she could, took my parcel and money then proceeded to ask if I had paid. Well my abrupt 'Yes' was met with an 'Ok' and rolled eyes while I was stomping out the shop with now two screaming boys.
This used to be a job that would have taken the same amount of time due to the queue but would have been a lot less stressful and I would have been up to date with all on Facebook and Twitter from my time in the queue.
We headed off to soft play, even though I knew the boys didn't deserve it just so I could sit down in a corner quietly and drink a HOT cup of tea!!
Now with the big post office being closed down in our town it has been replaced by a few little ones dotted around the town. The fact it was Monday morning and less than 3 weeks to Christmas didn't dawn on me and as we pulled up to the shop panic came over me, there were no spaces! Then on the way to the entrance I heard one man saying 'they are just chatting while there is a queue out the door' and I was hoping he was meaning for the shop not the post office. I was still being hopeful until we entered the shop.
The queue was in fact at the door and weaving between the shops aisles filled with sweets and bottled alcoholic beverages. A minefield when you have two small children that don't do queueing and waiting and were desperate to get to soft play.
My initial thought was to leave and come back later but with my husband not back from work until late I would just have to return with the boys, so we got into the queue. We had literally been stood there 2 seconds and it started, Noah started grabbing the chocolate goodies that were on display while Finley's hand was wriggling from my grip. Luckily the lady in front of me asked the age gap of the boys, said she had the same and she knew how it was. A friendly, sympathetic companion in the queue was just what I needed.
So we waited 25 minutes!!!! In this time the boys fought with each other, they disabled my phone, they nearly hit over a display of crates of beer, Finley licked a wrapped lolly pop, Noah screamed and kicked me, Noah made Finley cry, Finley made Noah cry, they nearly hit a whole shelf of things off and I smiled through gritted teeth. Because if I didn't I would have lost my s*** or ended up crying!
We finally got to the post office till point and I was fraught, and I am sure the cashier could see this. And she went as slow as she could, took my parcel and money then proceeded to ask if I had paid. Well my abrupt 'Yes' was met with an 'Ok' and rolled eyes while I was stomping out the shop with now two screaming boys.
This used to be a job that would have taken the same amount of time due to the queue but would have been a lot less stressful and I would have been up to date with all on Facebook and Twitter from my time in the queue.
We headed off to soft play, even though I knew the boys didn't deserve it just so I could sit down in a corner quietly and drink a HOT cup of tea!!
Ohh been there! Infact I have similar errand to run in a minute and I can't say I'm looking forward to it! #twinklytuesday xx
ReplyDeleteOh weve all been there for sure!! Suz x Beauisblue.com
ReplyDeleteYes. Waiting should be banned! And a sense of urgency is a basic requirement in these situations - you'd think she'd want to serve you as quickly as possible!?
ReplyDeleteI bet that beer looked pretty tempting!
x Alice
#twinklytuesday
I think we've all been there! It's hard at times isn't it! #bestandworst
ReplyDeleteBoys are so crazy! My son is 14 months old, so I don't know how you feel. But, I'm sure I will someday. I think I would have lost it. They're so cute!
ReplyDeleteWho Let the Mum Out?
It's so tough isn't it?! I think we've all been there though and will be there again! #bestandworst
ReplyDeleteOoooh this made me laugh. Bless you hun! I had wandering hand all round Smiths this morning.Having to fight to keep calm and remember she is 2!!! Thanks for sharing lovely #bestandworst x
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ReplyDeleteA little errand seems to hardly be little EVER when a little one is in the equation which is why my little errands usually get delayed for 3 weeks until they reach urgent status and I'm forced to go! Thanks for linking up to #coolmumclub lovely! xx
ReplyDeleteOh yes, can definitely sympathise with this! Why is it they just want to grab everything and touch everything on the shelves!!! xx
ReplyDeleteOh the dreaded post office! I made the trek to town on foot one day with my baby to send on some mugs that I'd ordered on the internet. The lady at the post office refused to take them because they weren't properly packaged even though they'd made an international trip without breaking and been carried by the same post company as was now refusing them. I actually welled up at the counter, I was so frustrated at dragging my baby out and spending half a day for absolutely nothing. Maybe the hormones too ;) #picknmix
ReplyDeletePost office queuing is the worst! We have one in WHSmith in town, or one a bit further away in a newsagents. The one in town always results in tears, but the one in the newsagent has all the sweets, etc within easy reach... #justanotherlinky
ReplyDeleteHi Kirsty, what a nightmare! Small children may be cute at Christmas, but are little monsters when it comes to running errands at any time of year. Just think though when they are teenagers you'll be able to send them in to run your errands!
ReplyDeletexx
Oh no, what a nightmare. Everything is so manic at the moment. I think Archie would've behaved even worse, toddlers have no patience! #justanotherlinky
ReplyDeleteNightmare Hun! I think many of us will have experienced this same scenario. In Holland most places have small areas for the kids to play, sometimes just a little table with a box of puzzles but it can be a life saver! #justanotherlinky
ReplyDeleteOh poor you!This is absolutely me on any given day. I'll get all stressed out knowing that I have a "small" task to do and the hubby will just shrug and say "So what? It's nothing?" But with two teeny monsters in tow it becomes an epic trauma. Thank goodness for soft play... Dawn x #justanotherlinky
ReplyDeleteI know just how you feel. I had to go to the post office with Leo the other day and queue was huge. He tried to knock over a card display, shoplift a teddy bear, run away..it was awful. Well done for not going crazy, I don't think I could have coped with 2 naughty boys. I hope you enjoyed a nice hot drink at soft play after!xx #picknmix
ReplyDeleteOh God... This is what is my nightmare often just stay at home to avoid these situations, bless you!! Silly woman taking so long at the post office too!! #justanotherlinky #bestandworst
ReplyDeleteOh God... This is what is my nightmare often just stay at home to avoid these situations, bless you!! Silly woman taking so long at the post office too!! #justanotherlinky #bestandworst
ReplyDeleteI find post offices the worst - there always seems to be a ridiculous clue and staff that really don't seem to care about hurrying up! I'm yet to reach this stage with a one year old who just screams in her pram when she get's impatient, rather than pulling objects off shelves, but I can totally sympathise with you - nightmare! At least you didn't have to got back! #justanotherlinky
ReplyDeletemy problem know is that mine needs to stop and talk to everyone we come across. Doubles the time we spend anywhere
ReplyDeleteI totally sympathise, although I don't have to do it with little ones in tow! I hate going to the post office which is a bit of a problem since I sell clothes online *oops!* Glad you managed to get a bit of peace with your cuppa later Xx
ReplyDeleteBlogging at Boo & Maddie
Eurgh queueing with 2 small children is life's way of having a laugh at our expense. Good for you for not turning away though! I'd have thought sod that and left and I probably would have cried, thanks for hosting #justanotherlinky
ReplyDelete'Little' errands that are a nightmare with two toddlers is me every day! &, yes, dread post office when busy, which is every day of December! Going to have to tackle it this week! #justanotherlinky
ReplyDeleteUh, post offices. Even sans kids, they're not the most joyous places to hang-out (not that you were hanging-out exactly!). An absolute prerequisite for joining the post office is to be incredibly grumpy. Next time, take in the boys AND at least 20 eBay parcels, they'll make them smile! xx
ReplyDelete#KCACOLS
I hate post offices, in fact I hate queuing with kids in general, even now she is older it's like a form of torture isn't it! #KCACOLS
ReplyDelete*hugs* children can be so testing sometimes can't they. I hope you managed to enjoy a nice hot cuppa in peace.xx #KCACOLS
ReplyDelete*hugs* children can be so testing sometimes can't they. I hope you managed to enjoy a nice hot cuppa in peace.xx #KCACOLS
ReplyDeleteI hate queuing for ages and I don't have toddlers to worry about eek bless you! I think I take it for granted how easy it is now the boys are almost 10 and 11...although they still have their moments ;) Thanks for linking up to #PicknMix lovely
ReplyDeleteStevie x
Argh! So flippin' typical, isn't it!
ReplyDeleteI did giggle at the part where the boys disabled your phone and then licked a lollipop...but more out of sympathy :)
Thanks for linking with #KCACOLS
Aghh I know the feeling only too well. I put off doing things now though and then end up having to do loads at once which just makes it worse. Thanks for linking to #PickNMix
ReplyDeleteOh parenting *sigh*. We've definitely all been there we have those routine errands that we need to run with little ones in tow that are just so much more painful than they should be. I dont think I could have braved 25 minutes in a queue with two little ones like you did, so hats off to you. It was hard but you did it, and you most definitely deserved that drink at soft play ;-). Thanks for linking up to #MarvMondays. Emily
ReplyDelete