JUST A THOUGHT - IN PRAISE OF THE COURAGEOUS SHOPPER MOTHER! PART 1.

Probably one of the most, if not the most difficult and responsibly challenge humans have, is that of effectively and appropriately dealing with the stresses they/we encounter in caring for our children.


So, how are you, a stranger, to respond when you see and perceive, imagine, even, a young mother being harassed, goaded and driven to emotional desperation, by her young son? 

As this mother, this human negotiate the aisles of the supermarket with her two young sons.  

The contentedly and quietly walking by her side as she moves here and there, looking for and taking and placing in her trolley the items she needs. 

But not so for her other son, who relentlessly cries and bewails his mother, by loudly exclaiming, 'mummy', 'mummy!' 

A young child using a term of endearment, 'mummy', in a way which devalues it and makes his mummy feels terrible. 

As, his cries of 'mummy', to those listening and pretending that they are not, might seem to convey the message of. 'Mummy, how can you be doing this to me'? 

How can you be the cause of my continuous distress, of my pain and my great sadness?  

'Mummy, mummy, you are not a good mummy!'  'Because I am hurting and you are ignoring and warning me to stop crying.' 

'Mummy, I will not be quiet.'  'I will not stop crying and causing a scene until you stop your shopping and give me all of your attention!'  

'Mummy, are you not ashamed that you are publicly causing me all this distress?'

And while all of this great bewailing is taking place in the busy supermarket.  With staff, security cameras and customers alike, looking on, some furtively and others trying to catch the young woman's, the mother's eyes.  

So that they can make sure that she is aware of their accusatory and condemning gaze. And yet others who might be thinking, 'why don't you shut the brat up, so that we can shop in peace?'

To be continued!