![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/166\/2014\/04\/dollarstore-junk.jpg\" "\\"dollarstore-junk\\"")
<\/a>I reached into the basket and pulled out the two original boxes of valentines. I went around the corner to find Bobby, grabbed him, and headed for the checkout, calling for Sally to follow. She didn\u2019t. Once I got to the checkout I found that the line was long, and it would be a bit of a wait. Bobby wiggled free and ran off, and desperately I looked back and forth between the register and the direction Bobby had disappeared. Realizing I didn\u2019t have much choice in the matter, I gave up my spot in line and went after Bobby. In chasing Bobby, I came upon Sally, who had grown frantic and was crying, trying to pick up the basket and becoming angry when things spilled or when I tried to put things back.<\/p>\nThe heat, the noise, the crowd. I had reached my limit.<\/p>\n
I put down the two boxes of valentines and scooped up both children, one under each arm, and carried them out of the store. Bobby was squirming to get down and Sally was some combination of weeping and angry, writhing to get free. Grasping them both tightly, I walked through the parking lot to the car. On the way through the parking lot, I received sympathetic \u201cI\u2019ve been there\u201d looks from two women several decades older than me. Those looks made me feel less like a basketcase.<\/p>\n
Once at the car I buckled both children into their carseats. I shut their doors, got into my seat, and turned on the car. As I went to back up, Sally\u2019s door opened and she bolted out of the car. I knew Sally could unbuckle her seatbelt, but I hadn\u2019t realized that the child safety lock was turned off. I put the car back in park, practically tore the keys from the ignition, flew out of my seat, and tackled Sally. Since my decision to leave the store, I had felt removed from the situation, almost like I was watching this happen to someone else. But now I was suddenly very much in the scene and very much angry\u2014an anger born of intense fear.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m don\u2019t think I actually yelled at Sally. I do know that I was extremely stern and grave with her. She could have been killed, I told her, trying to find a way to impress on her just how dangerous it was to jump out of a moving car. On a more practical level, I was trying to figure out how the hell I was going to get both children home safely. Usually our car has a child safety lock, which would have prevented Sally\u2019s exit. I had no idea how it had been turned off\u2014I didn\u2019t even know that was possible. The children had played in the car a few days before, and they must have pressed a button, but I had no idea what button or where it might be.<\/p>\n
When I finally felt I had impressed on Sally the danger of her actions, I buckled her back in and got back in the driver seat. I couldn\u2019t find the child safety lock button, but I was fairly confident that she would not try her escape again. She had ultimately been apologetic about her stunt, and I had made sure she really did understand the danger. As I pulled out of the parking lot, Sally moved from angry to tearful.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut mom, how will I get my valentines?\u201d she asked, crying. \u201cI need to get valentines for my friends! I will have no valentines!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry, honey,\u201d I told her. \u201cWe couldn\u2019t get valentines in that store because Bobby kept running off and you were demanding to buy things I\u2019d said we couldn\u2019t buy. I couldn\u2019t stand in line and go through the checkout with you two like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut mommy, give me another chance!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSally, I\u2019m too tired out right now to give you another chance,\u201d I explained. \u201cAnd frankly, I just want to get you home where I can know you\u2019ll be safe. I\u2019m going to drop you off at home with Daddy and then take Bobby to the grocery store. We\u2019ll check if there are any valentines there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I want to pick out my own valentines!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSally, I\u2019m sorry, but I don\u2019t feel comfortable taking you to another store right now after how you acted in that one and in the parking lot,\u201d I told her. \u201cIt\u2019s okay, I\u2019m not upset about it, I\u2019m just speaking practically. And I think we will just need to wait until you are a bit older and better able to handle it before we go back to the dollar store. I know, stores can be hard, especially ones that have so many things you want to buy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can do it now mom! I promise!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry honey, I just can\u2019t,\u201d I told responded. \u201cI\u2019m exhausted, I just can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sally was still crying when I arrived home to drop her off. I\u2019d called Sean, so he was outside waiting to take her. She resisted, and he had to carry her inside.<\/p>\n
Bobby and I then headed off to get milk and a few other groceries. The grocery trip with Bobby ensconced safely in his seat in the cart was incredibly relaxing compared to all that had come before, and I began to feel more calm and regain my energy.\u00a0As we headed for the checkout, my phone rang. The caller ID said it was Sean, but when I picked it up, it was Sally.<\/p>\n
\u201cMommy, I will do better, I promise,\u201d she said, a catch in her voice. \u201cCan you please take me back to the store so I can buy valentines? I will only get the valentines and not other things. Please?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay,\u201d I told her. \u201cWhen I get home with the groceries, I\u2019ll leave Bobby with Daddy and I\u2019ll take you with me and we\u2019ll go back to the dollar store. How does that sound?\u201d<\/p>\n
I had left Sally with Sean both because I was too tired and worn out to deal with both of them at another store and because I wanted her to understand that actions have consequences\u2014if she is out of control in a store, I will be less likely to take her shopping. Cause and effect, nothing more.<\/p>\n
But now I was feeling more peaceful and I was pretty sure Sally had indeed learned from what happened. There was no reason not to take her back to the store. Indeed, I actually felt there was good reason to take her back\u2014it would give her the chance to show me that she could handle it, thus restoring her confidence in herself. Further, Sally and I needed to rebuild relationship, and I happened to know that there was a small ice cream store right next door to the dollar store.<\/p>\n