I have been trying really hard to stay away from sodas these past few months, and I'm getting better by limiting how many I drink (which weren't that many to begin with), and I don't buy them anymore either. However something happened when I was getting out of Sams club. Interesting story.
I had gotten everything that I needed, paid, and was placing things in my car when I heard a cart and some voices coming my direction. I was parked between two minivans and when the cart stopped next to one of them, I tried to move quicker so they could load up. However, the mother and the 3 kids (maybe 10, 8, 6) she had with her were arguing. I couldn't help but overhear.
Older Boy: "But these are gross! You never get us the good kind."
Mom: "They're fine. Stop complaining or you won't be eating out."
Older Boy: "Yeah right mom. Like you'd just get them food and me nothing. That's neglect."
Mom: "Where did you hear that?"
Older Boy: "School."
Some Silence. By then I'm almost done packing everything into my car.
Younger Boy: "Why couldn't we get the other kind of soda?"
Mom: "Because it was more expensive. We couldn't afford it. We can afford these."
Younger Girl: "Can I have a cookie now please?" (I thought this was cute. So random.)
Older Boy: "We can too afford it; you don't love us enough to get it."
Mom: "After dinner you can have a cookie. And if either of you two complain one more time and I'll give the sodas away."
Older Boy: "Yeah right. You wouldn't."
Younger Boy: "Sorry."
Mom: "That is it. You'll have to explain to dad about this."
Next thing I know is I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn around and it is the mother, holding on to a flat of shasta sodas.
Mom: "Would you like this?"
Me: "Excuse me?"
Mom: "My kids are being ungrateful. They need to learn. Would you like this?"
Me: "Umm, okay?"
Mom: "Merry Christmas."
The mom hands me the sodas, points to the van, and the Older Boy starts to climb into the front seat.
Older Boy: "You've never done that before."
Mom: "And I'm sticking by what I said. We'll get Sonic for the rest of us and you get to have whatever is in the fridge."
There was some cheering, but but by then I had climbed into my car. I waved at her as I pulled out and she smiled.
Strange huh?
5 comments:
awesome story. Cudos to that mom for following through. My kids could tell their fair share of such stories - mom doing strange (and in their minds, cruel) things for the sake of "teaching moments."
Great story--good for that mom to stick to her guns and how nice you could be available for her to carry out a good life lesson!
Hahaha! Nice. Actually, as a parent, I don't find that all that strange. Her kids sounded like little brats trying to push her buttons and she'd had enough and wanted to turn it into a teaching moment. Go her!
So what did you do with the soda?
Good for that mom. And good for you for accepting the 'gift'. Great way to teach a lesson to an ungrateful child. More parents should be so brave. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks all. I actually have the cans in the back room. I've got a couple of "parties" that they want me to bring something to drink, so I'll probably be bringing some of those. Plus, I'm using a few in cooking.
It was an interesting experience!
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