OT- Mom's walk of shame...Anyone?

[DVCJones]

So I am at the mall with my DD5 and DD3 trying to get a little shopping done. The girls were acting up, but not to much. I gave them a couple of warnings about their behavior. My last warning I made the threat to leave the mall if they did not behave. I finally reached my limit when the 5yo pushed the 3yo into a kiosk.

I took their hands and announced "that's it, we are going home"

I guess you can imagine what followed...My 5yo took a major fit. Something of which I have never seen before. I can count the times she has had a meltdown on one hand. I was totally shocked I mean she really lost it.

Of course I was deep into the mall and really far from my car and I had to do the "walk of shame" through the mall with my DD screaming that she didn't want to go, let go of me, etc. She even started hitting my arm.

I kept walking, and finally made it outside. While walking to the car, the police actually followed me I don't know if this was just perfect timing or someone in the mall thought I was abducting a child Come to think of it...my children look nothing like me

Anyway, once at the car, I thought I would ask him if he wouldn't mind scaring the bajeezers out of my kids by coming over to the car and telling my DD never to push her sister and to listen to her mother BUT- I didn't!!! He just drove away.

Has anyone had to do the walk of shame recently. I couldn't help but notice the looks on the people's faces. Some had faces of sympathy, like a been there done that or a glad it is your kid and not mine. (this time) However, some people looked truly horrified!

Raise your hand if you've walked the Mommy Walk of Shame!!!!

 

[sjms71]

Not me, my children are complete angels

Sorry you had such a time at the mall. One time while in Sacks in NYC my DD was having a fit and some snooty lady came up to me and was telling me I should control my child!

 

[Whipperwhirl]

Less than 2 years ago I booked a aqua-duck tour of Albany and my DS who was 2.5 at the time threw the hissy fit of a lifetime - I figured once the car/boat left he would calm down - We werent even given the chance - the capitan kicked us off - The walk down the aisle with my now completely devistated child in my arms was the longest ever. They didnt even refund our tickets - theres 40.00 I will never see again. I was really embarrassed but as I look back now I think I just expected too much of him. I never bring my kids together to any store unless I absolutely have to - they would drive me crazy - "He touched me - She hit me - Mommy I want to walk - mommy I want to ride" They are much nicer to take along when seperated.

 

[gottalovethem]

Oh honey, I've been there many times! I have highly-spirited children and leaving with a screaming child is not unheard of in my life. In fact, I know I left a store recently holding my screaming 2-year-old under one arm while pushing a shopping cart with the other (he actually didn't start screaming til checkout time).

I'm so used to the looks it doesn't phase me anymore

ETA - congrats to you for sticking with your threat! And how frightening about the officer, I probably would have freaked out!

 

[Honeymooner04]

Um, that would be today....at the circus of all places. My daughter who is 2.5 was insisting on going down the stairs by herself but the steps at the venue were very steep and it was very crowded so I picked her up to get to our seats and she lost it. She was pulling my hair, screaming, the whole nine yards. So embarrassing.

 

[DVCJones]

Oh honey, I've been there many times! I have highly-spirited children and leaving with a screaming child is not unheard of in my life. In fact, I know I left a store recently holding my screaming 2-year-old under one arm while pushing a shopping cart with the other (he actually didn't start screaming til checkout time).

I'm so used to the looks it doesn't phase me anymore

ETA - congrats to you for sticking with your threat! And how frightening about the officer, I probably would have freaked out!

Not really, my DH is a police officer (different town) so I am not easily intimidated by police. I thought it was funny. It kind of made me chuckle a bit. Plus I knew I wasn't doing anything wrong. That helps too!

 

[SherylWrites]

And kudos to you for following through. I always applaud mothers and fathers who remove their children from a situation and give them a chance (the child AND the parent) a chance to calm down and collect themselves. And I think it's important for children to know you're not fooling around when you say "We WILL leave this store if you cannot behave properly."
It has nothing to do with making other people feel more comfortable, it's about teaching your child what is right and expected and what is not.
My daughter had a melt down once when she was two in a bulk food store. She freaked. I just took her out and sat in the van and waited until we could both breathe and get back on track.
We're parents, not perfect!! Who wants THAT kind of title?

 

[family4christ]

I am taking my soooooo sweeeeet children to WDW for the first time this month. My DD7 and DS4 who usually get along fine. However, they do act up when I absolutely do not want them to!

I hope and pray that my son does not slap one of the Princesses if they decide to hug and kiss on him. I really have no idea how he will respond to them!!!

 

[hroyale]

One has ASD. At 2 and half I discovered that I could tuck one under each arm, while screaming and leave a store. Around that same time, different situation, we had a security guard come and ask us to leave a mall while attempting to pick up a flailing/screaming twin, while the other one ran screaming in the other direction. I think I actually got a bloody lip that time.

Yeah, I've been there. More often then I'd like to admit.

But it has gotten a lot better. A few followed through threats have gone a long way. They know when I say "Get off the floor now or we leave right this second." They know I mean it. If you show fear, they win. They can SMELL it.

The good thing about the walk of shame, is that just about every mother you pass can relate, and those who don't have kids (or kids old enough) will know soon enough. But who cares what they think anyway. You're being a good mom and the great kids you raise is enough.

One warning though, don't curse your children with the "I hope one day you have a child who behaves like you!" threat. My mother did that, only to end up babysitting my doppleganger. I remind her that she asked for it.

 

[chloe770]

When DS was almost 2 I was walking thu a dept. store , it was lunch time and almost nap time, and DS (who hates shopping) was cranky. Well in the middle of the store he laid down and strarted to throw the worst fit I have ever seen. I calmly picked him up , put him over my shoulder and started to walk out of the store, when an older couple walked up to me and said very seriosly " you need to call Super Nanny to learn how to control that kid". I then very politely turned around and said " you obvoisly have not been around a hungry, tired and cranky 2 year old in a very very long time." It's bad enough to have to take the walk of shame, but to have completely unneccessary comments thrown at you also. I don't think i went back to the mall for a month.

 

[sraiford]

Every parent has been there! Good for you for sticking to your guns and taking them out of the mall!

 

[SmallWorld71]

I remember a meltdown my middle child (who is usually my best behaved child) had in the supermarket when he was almost 4 and I was 8mos. pregnant with his sister. He fell apart when I wouldn't let him eat from the candy bins (something I have never done ). I picked him up and threw him over my shoulder (the only way I could carry him with my big belly) and he screamed bloody murder all the way to the car. I am sure the people staring at me were thinking things like, "People like her should not have more children."(Only in not such rated G language)

 

[Maggie'sMom]

How's twice in the last three days sound? We were suffering from being on vacation, out of our standard routine for a week. DD was finally so worn out that she just stopped minding me.

The first was on Friday. DD and I were at the beach and she wouldn't stay away from a drainage ditch that I told her was off limits. I finally told her "one more time and we're leaving". Yep! I had to start packing up all our stuff with DD screaming bloody murder that she didn't want to leave, then sit down on the sand and refused to walk. So I'm trying to carry her mid-meltdown and a bag full of beach towels and toys.

Then last night we were leaving a picnic and DD didn't want to leave. She got on her bike and started racing down the street in the opposite direction(there weren't any sidewalks) with me yelling STOP! RED LIGHT! She looked around at me and kept riding. I had to drop all the stuff I was carrying and run to grab her. Then I had to carry her home with her squirming, pushing, trying to break free and screaming that she didn't want to leave. She started crying that I was hurting her butt. Apparently, my attempts to contain her had given her a wedgie. My response was "maybe you'll remember that next time you don't listen when mommy's telling you "STOP".

 

[chipper10]

We were there today. We needed some groceries badly. So, DH and I decided that it would be best to go AFTER DS had his second nap. Shortly, after DS woke up, we went to Wal-Mart. I should have known it was going to be bad when he started screaming when we walked into the store. By time we got to the Grocery section, he was almost in full on tantrum mode. I was able hold him, while DH quickly grabbed the last of the list.

 

[Aurora410]

My most memorable Walk of Shame was when I was 8 months pregnant and had to carry my then 4 year old, kicking and screaming from the community pool at our condo. I could barely walk and I am dragging this child inch by inch while he flips out and scratching and kicking me. Oh the looks of pity!

 

[emh1129]

I think we've all been there, at one point or another. It's especially hard when you are outnumbered!

 

[CastleCreations]

I took a girlfriend to Disney with her 2 kids. So total it was 2 Moms and 4 kids under age 5. The only trouble was the youngest, age 2. She was Satan. And that's putting it mildly. Finally the straw that broke the camel's back, when we were leaving the hotel, she pitched another fit, and threw herself on the ground, so since everyone had bags they were pulling, carrying...I put her under my arm, kicking and screaming. We made it half way around the Pop Century pool, when the little..*^%$$^^ bit my arm. The blood was running down my arm, it was then that I asked my dear friend Debbie, can I please spank your child.... she agreed.... of course I didn't but I did land a big pinch on her behind, and who knew...the screaming stopped...my friend babies her, and let's her get away with murder, so this is the result. If that little girl was mine, I would be in the loony bin.

 

[vcgirl925]

LMAO at the title moms walk of shame!

Yes of course i've been there, if someone says they haven't they are full of it. Before i had kids of my own i would look at mothers who were losing it and think what is she doing to those poor kids. Now when i see it i think "what have those kids done to that poor woman?". LOL.

Sorry you had a tough time.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

When my DD was 4 she pulled the same thing on me at a local store. Instead of picking her up and leaving, I sat down and read a label on a box until she was done. We were not in the way of anyone or anything at that time. Now I am sure that the people in the store would have preferred it if I left, but at that time I thought my schedule was too important... I have mellowed with age, but I am pretty sure I would do the same thing again as this was the last time she ever pitched a fit in a public place...

 

[daisyduck123]

I've done it many times, except my friends & I call it the "scoop & run".

Scoop up your child & run for the nearest door!!