Now that I have a baby, I have a teeny tiny bit more sympathy for Bad Parents. People who scream at their children in the candy isle at Stop & Shop, the woman who smacks her kid after he shoves a rack of clothes over at Macy’s, even the guy who leaves a baby in the hot car while he runs into the gas station for “just a minute”. No, those things aren’t OK. And clearly child abuse has NO excuse, ever. But now while I’m saying “Shame on you Bad Parent!” I’m also thinking “Oh, man, I’m totally four hours sleep and a candy bar away from being where you are.”
Actually, I may be closer than I think – Can someone PLEASE tell me how I to handle a shopping cart AND a baby? If I leave the baby in the cart while I’m loading groceries, I’m worried it could roll away or some crazy driver might hit it or a baby-snatcher might snatch my adorable baby. But if I put the car seat in the back seat first, I have to leave the baby in the car while I return I cart. I guess I could be the person who just leaves the cart in the parking space but I HATE those people. For now, I’ve decided the car is the safest place for the baby and I just lock the doors for the fifteen seconds it takes to out the cart back, but I’m probably just one shopping trip away from being scolded by the 70 year old women who already think I’m a Bad Parent because a)I’m out of the house, b) my baby doesn’t have a hat and c) I’m buying Diet Coke. Yes, people have commented on ALL THOSE THINGS.
Bebehblog 
10 comments
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May 20, 2009 at 9:20 am
Lisa
people suck. i don’t think leaving your baby in the car or in the cart for 20 seconds entitles anyone to call child services.
also, if i’m in target and your kid is screaming or running and you don’t scold him, I will.
May 20, 2009 at 9:29 am
NefariousNewt
All you have to ask yourself is, “Which is more important, my baby or my groceries?” The way people drive in parking lots, I wanted my daughter in the car as rapidly as possible. She was far safer inside, out of the weather and away from crazy drivers than she would have been in the cart. Plus, when I’m done, I hit the remote, lock the car, and walk the cart back to the cart corral, and I knew she was safe.
Don’t panic. Put Baby Evan in the car first, and don’t worry about what anyone may think.
May 20, 2009 at 9:33 am
afteriris
Oh God, the endless advice/ commentary you’re subjected to as a new parent. I feel ya! Like Lisa, I think leaving Baby E in the car for a couple of seconds is fine. I also used to use the sling (not one of the wrap ones, but one of the harness-style ones) when I went shopping when Ava was little. It’s great once you get the hang of bending down without chucking your baby on the the floor.
May 20, 2009 at 1:06 pm
SarahMC
What? I want to hear the stories about being scolded. For Diet Coke!?
I like that you slip “adorable” in wherever you can re: Evan – “a baby-snatcher might snatch my adorable baby.”
May 20, 2009 at 4:11 pm
stacyinbean
I think you handled it perfectly, and if someone attempts to scorn you, politely ask them to return your cart for you! That’ll show those nosy asswipes!
May 20, 2009 at 4:30 pm
AGreenEyeDevil
Who in the HELL bitched at you over Diet Coke!? That idiot needs a serious “come to Jesus meeting” about minding their own F%^& business.
May 20, 2009 at 4:43 pm
bebehblog
Newt – That is exactly what I’ve been doing, I’m glad to hear it’s the experienced parent-approved method.
And re: Diet Coke. I was at BJ’s loading my car with cases of diapers and soda and this woman came by and wanted to look at my baby. When she asked how old he was and I said “six weeks” she was like “Wow, look at you! Lifting those giant boxes of…soda. For…your husband?”. The way she said it made it a double insult of “I hope you have a husband” and “You better not be drinking that”. And then she asked me if I was breastfeeding. The parking lot at BJ’s is apparently the Land of Judgment for new mothers.
May 20, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Erin (i dont have a fake name :( )
I think it says on the back of your club membership card that you are allowed to punch people like that in the face.
May 20, 2009 at 5:16 pm
lalaland13
@bebehblog: She better be glad it was just soda. My golly. Did you say “Yeah, and help me with that keg of beer, would ya, old biddy?” For some reason I picture her as an old lady, but she could have been my age.
And if that is Baby E in sunglasses in your avatar, I just ovulated.
May 20, 2009 at 6:11 pm
J.D.Regent
You should have told her it was to put in the baby bottles. Hey it’s diet! And he has no teeth to rot out yet!