As all of us know parenting brings some interesting situations. Special needs parenting brings a whole new meaning to interesting situations. Whether it’s due to ADHD, sensory processing issues or any other behavioral problems it creates some challenges to say the least. When I chose story time as the next blog entry I couldn’t decide what story to tell. So I made the decision to introduce story time as a fun new series I’ll post in periodically and feature other parents stories from time to time. Sometimes in the moment we don’t find these things funny but learning to laugh at ourselves is the only way to get through.
I usually get my errands done on days I work because the boys are with sitters or I do them while Brady’s in school and I just have Kam. Well on this particular day Brady had a doctor’s appointment downtown and missed school. Downtown appointments are eventful in themselves but on the way home I needed a few things from Target. I thought I’ll just stop real quick, grab the three things I must have today and get out. No browsing, no Starbucks, just in and out.. What’s the worst thing that could happen in 10 minutes?
Brady had just turned 5 and was pushing 50lbs. He had grown out of strollers and we were waiting on the insurance to approve his wheel chair. He’s too big to fit in the front of a shopping cart, the Target near me doesn’t have a Caroline’s cart or the carts that have the seats for bigger kids in front so the only option was to let him walk. I knew better but he was in a great mood and I really needed those three items. So here’s how it went..
Caroline’s Cart
We aren’t in the store 30 seconds and he’s already doing snow angels blocking the entry way while I’m getting a cart. I grab his hands pull him up and we head to the vitamin isle. I’m looking for melatonin and he’s shaking bottles like maracas and squealing with excitement. What’s he hurting right? Well I’m getting looks like control your kids lady. I’m sure from the outside looking in that’s how it appears, at first glance you can’t tell Brady is developmentally disabled which I’ve been told I’m lucky but in all reality it makes some things more difficult.
Anyways, the laundry soap isle goes fairly smooth and we head to the feminine hygiene isle and it’s packed. As I’m looking for what I need I get a whiff of something really stinky and immediately know it’s Brady. I look over at him and he’s on his hands and knees grunting, great.. Before I can pick him up a woman taps me on the shoulder and informs me the bathrooms are up front. Thanks lady.. I have what I need so we go to the bathroom to get him cleaned up and like always the changing stations are too small for a kid his size and you can imagine how difficult it is changing him while he’s standing.
We make it to the checkout line in one piece and Brady starts throwing one of every candy bar on the belt. As I’m trying to put them back he stops to smell the lady behind us(totally normal thing for him) but if you don’t know him it can catch you off guard. She doesn’t seem to notice or care so I continue to pay and hear “oh ok”.. I look over and Brady is running his hands up and down the front of this womans shirt. I’m mortified so I apologize, grab him and our bags and we dart to the car. Never. Again.
Next time you encounter a seemingly uncontrollable child keep in mind there may be more to the story than you know so be patient. We are all fighting our own battles.
Don’t forget to submit your funny stories to beautifullyunexpected.hope@gmail.com. I don’t have pictures of this particular day but here’s a few of some silly things Brady does..
