As parents we work hard to train our children in the way (we think) they should to go. We all have our own parenting styles and regardless of our efforts - children will always model our behavior and actions.Does that include moments they haven't witnessed with their innocent little eyes?
Like maybe - shoplifting?
Because my name is Golightly and I am a recovering accidental-shoplifter.
My last accidental shoplifting experience was in the summer of 2004 when I walked out of Target with my little purse on one arm and another [non-purchased] little purse on the other arm. As I sat down in my car and put my purse down on the passenger seat I realized there was another purse! I immediately marched back in and handed the purse to the security guard telling him he ought to keep a better eye on me because I just walked out with said purse. Oops.
That was not the first time, yet I can't even play poker. Heck, I can't intentionally lie for the sake of a surprise party without turning red in the face.
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Along came baby-Harrison, sleep deprivation and triple the time to get in or out of the house, the car and other such places. Exhausting - to say the least; but I truly try to model correct behavior for him to mimic.
So image how proud I was the day he modeled my [accidental petty-theft] behavior! NOT.
We made a trek to Ikea for some things when Harrison was walking but not yet talking. After an absurdly long, hot two hours in the store and checkout line I walked my very tired Toddler to the car at the back of a crowded parking lot. I unloaded the stuff into the car, unlatched Harrison and pulled him out of his stroller when I saw it...
A package of plates. D'oh!
I pondered the moment. I looked at them, I looked at the storefront in the near distance. I listened to the sound of my cranky child, looked at the store again - then I tossed them in the car. That's right folks. I tossed them - unpaid for - In. The. Car.
I was not about to go all the way back with a over-tired, sweating-hot, cranky about-to-melt-down 18-month-old for a $1.99.
Not gonna do it.
So there they sat, shrink wrapped, on Harrison's table for an insanely long time until one day, months later, [after another trip to Ikea and an authentic purchase of matching bowls] I opened them.
Unfortunately, this was not his only time of accidental shoplifting - but we've returned any accidentally lifted items to the store since that time.
Oh the things that end up in the shopping cart and stroller...
Photo Story is Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek
18 comments:
HA HA! That's GREAT!
This actually something I have NOT done...but I don't doubt that it could EASILY happen in the very near future. :)
Hahahaha! It never happened to me yet but no doubt it could happen .
That is hilarious.
I can't say I've done this yet. Maybe you're a kleptomaniac at heart? ;) ha ha ha. jk...
I know what you mean. This just happened to me a few months ago. Though it was me doing the accidental shoplifting.
I got all three boys out to the car and into their carseats when I saw a bottle of antibacterial hand wash in the bottom of the cart. I was so pissed that the cashier (or I) hadn't seen it. I actually unbuckled all three boys and hauled them back into the store to pay for the stupid thing. But I was PISSED.
The only reason I went is because I knew I would be feeling rotten thinking about it over and over again in the days to come. Plus I was slightly paranoid that I was being videotaped for some ethical tv show or something. ;)
Maybe I should have just left it in the cart. It was a pain in my tush.
this has happened to me before - I always check the stroller now!!!!
That's so cute. I have those moments too. Last Christmas I was looking for special PJs for our daughter. I had them hanging out my stroller, trying to pay for other items at Winners (forgot they were there) and trying to calm an 11 month old and a 3.5 yr old down. Got to the car, saw the PJs. I was so not going back in.
LOL! I am embarrassed to say I have done this on more than one occasion for that exact reason...no way am I going to get both, fussy, exhausted kids out of their cars eats, back in the shopping cart to take back a $2 bottle of bath soap! Bad, I know...but I really try to make sure they get everything while I'm at the checkout!
LOL! Me too! I have been an accidental shoplifter before - and so has my daughter!
This was such a hoot! I actually did that when I was a little girl and my Mom made me fess up - I am horrified about it to this very day!
And I love the comp of that shot - very cool.
Ha ha!!!
I "shoplifted" two grapes when I was four. My mom caught me eating them and marched me straight to the Store Manager. I remember SOBBING and SOBBING, telling him that I'd eaten some of his grapes. He told me that if I paid the store a nickel, I'd be ok.
I have NEVER forgotten that whole experience.
PSF - Dueling Parents
lol that is to funny..
That was so funny.
I feel the need to absolve you of your sins.
That's probably blasphemous.
*L* Yes these things happen. We walked out of Target before with two cat litters underneath our cart. Got to the car and turned around and came back to pay. And at WalMart (I greatly dislike WalMart) I realized that the cashier missed ringing up 6 of my 36 cans of dog food and I called her on it. I'm still getting crap for that. And the look from the cashier was like I had two heads for saying anything. They say it's WalMart but I don't know I thought it was the honest thing to do. Anywho. Yes it happens. And the whole IKEA scenario...don't blame you one bit. It's not like you actually can park close and the toddler to boot. Nah.
ummm yeah, it has happened to us before. sigh...
oh and we have those plates. :) love them.
Oh, I know that moment! when the store front is so far away and you finally have the screaming toddler pinned to the car seat...
Tough one. What a great idea for PSF.
That was a funny story! When the girls were little there were a few times that we ended up with something "free" because it went unnoticed in the baby's carseat. It was always something inexpensive and I usually never noticed until I took the baby out of her carrier! Whoops!
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Oh that is so funny!
I understand the sleep deprovation, and the screw it, my toddler will just scream bloody murder.
But, now that you have them, aren't Ikea plates the best ever for kids!! We love them at our house! ;)
I accidentally ate chicken out of the salad bar at the grocery store once.
Wait..can you accidentally eat something?
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