I rallied everyone early, eager to make the produce market by 8. Planning an ice cream social for 50 had just fallen into my lap.The kids were fussing by the time we arrived. We only crossed a couple items off the list.
I pressed on. Sam's Club, followed by Aldi, then a bicker-filled, seat-kicking ride home.
"Do NOT talk!" I growled. The day was slipping by, gas wasted, everything left undone.
"Go to your room and do not talk to me again!"
I have 3 grocery stores within a 2-minute drive. I pledge to shop only those till this baby arrives, local organic foods and/or bargain prices be darned.
There is a price for sanity and I may just find it at the bottom of my Walmart receipt.
27 comments:
you are right....i find this with the 2 kids too....sometimes they just arent in a "place" to be well behaved on trips...
so yes my walmart is open 6 am to midnight....and i take advantage of it...and i figure my time and sanity might just be worth the deal i lose out on..PLUS walmart price matches with competitors flyers, it's pain free with the flyer at any cash if your items are the SAME
i'm glad you are ok, i worried when we hadnt heard from you in a bit...
Celina in canada
Today was my errand running day and it went pretty much the same as yours. My two year didn't want to do anything I said. After she sat down and took her shoes off in the middle of the line at the post office and refused to put them back on I knew I had no choice but to just go home. There is no reasoning with a tired two year old! :) I was able to get most things crossed off my list anyway.
I hope your ice cream social goes well!
-Darcy
I don't blame you one bit. Sometimes is just isn't worth it.
Amen. I know exactly what you're talking about! We just had a day like that last week. Arghhh.
Amen!
I hate to admit how often I shop at our local Fred Meyer...a superstore with beautiful produce, wide isles, kind faces...and higher prices than some other local stores.
A friend recently said with shock, "You shop THERE?!"
(hey, they're only a LITTLE more expensive)
My response? "I figure we'll spend the money on more expensive grocieries or on my mental institution bill. I'd rather do the groceries."
Seriously - there's a time for frugality and then there's a time to give yourself a little break. An ice cream social for 50 people to plan? You already took on way more than most people...and you're already so busy...you know, **making a human being** !
Enjoy Walmart free of guilt :)
Cut yourself a break whenever you can. You're doing an almost impossible job already, if you want to do it well you have to take good care of yourself (including your mental health). I have those growly days too often myself, but I do know I'd rather my kids remember a happy mommy than one who got everything done or saved a few bucks. It can be a fine line between doing all we have to do (we are still a one income family after all) and cutting back enough to stay sane - but we all just have to give ourselves permission to find it:)
I've always wondered how you frugal people could go store to store with children. Now I feel better.
I'm sorry! I hope your day gets better!
I make this choice all the time. I could hit lots of stores, shop around and bargain hunt more, but the in and out of the car and longer drives would make the kids and me very cranky and sanity and happiness are worth something.
We all have days like that and it all seems worse when you are pregnant and it is hot. I hope the weekend is better!
Meredith,
As bad as you shopping day seemed, it still isn't enough to give in to Wal-Mart.
Really.
Trust me, I know. I've been where you are now and you are stronger than any Wal-Mart urge!
Oh, I am so glad to read that my children aren't the only ones who are bad in stores. I try and do my errands when I have only one (of two) or when my dh can take care of them.
I hope you are feeling better by now. :)
Yup! I think being frugal 99% of the time earns you a free pass until baby dear is born and then some!
Maybe you could trade kid sitting services with some other mom. That's what worked for me when our kids were young. Then you could actually make coherent choices while bargain hunting.
We're usually "in the groove" together, but today we had Grandma with us and the kids were playing to her audience.
I try to go out at night when I'm not so tired at the end of the day. Like I should probably head to Kroger right now *yawn*
Yes sanity is invaluable! And gas is expensive!
I feel for you, I do. It wasn't too long ago I was in your position. Once this baby comes out it should get better. At least it did for us.
Elise
This same type of scenario has, literally, taken years off my life. We live in a remote, rural area (and not by my choice), and we have to drive almost 45 minutes to get to the nearest Wal-Mart or store of any size whatsoever. We have one Kroger that is about 25 minutes away, but usually there are things we need at Wal-mart, so we have to make the trip in. It is ALWAYS very stressful with my 5 kids, and I have broken down in tears on the way home more than once, because I am so spent and exhausted when the day is over. Meredith, I would give ANYTHING to have ONE store within 2 minutes of my home, let alone 3!!!! Do what's easy while these your kids are little, or go at night like you suggested. I find that I have to keep myself mentally healthy in the midst of the stressful life we live, or I'd go insane. And if it's Wal-Mart that's close, go for it! Personally, I think Wal-Mart gets a bum rap from people far too often.
Susan
Hey, didn't hubby just get a promotion? And we assume a salary increase with it? Wal-Mart won't break the bank, and you can get everything done in one stop! Get the kids a few of those smiley face stickers from the greeter as you enter (and leave) the store, I know they keep my 2 year old busy sticking them on his shirt, well, my shirt, too, but it keeps him happy! We are in and out with all we need in a flash, home in time for lunch and nap, and Mommy & Son are both happy!! And Wal-Mart will price match all competitor's ads, so you really won't spend any more. I say go for it and never look back!
Unless your budget truly is so tight, you just have no choice but to track down the least expensive everything, then why in the world would you subject yourself and your kids to such unpleasantness. A calm and happy mom and kids versus more money saved? No contest there as far as I am concerned. I think it is great that you are going to shop your local stores until the new baby is born and relax some about the price of every item. After all, will it really matter 10 years from now if your grocery bill skyrockets for a measly 3 months? I say, good for you!
You're right....sometimes easy is worth the price. Especially when it keeps your sanity and family peace.
It's not that my budget is truly so tight that I would subject my kids to that unpleasantness
...but that there are only some stores which sell what I needed to buy. In the old days hitting those 3 stops would be no big deal.
Now I'm having to adopt the attitude of "If they don't have it at the corner store, I don't really need it!"
""Go to your room and do not talk to me again!"
LoL Meredith, I thought it was just me :-)
Love
H
I am right there with you. I cannot do coupons so I did most of my shopping at Aldi and then ran across the street to the WalMart for the name-brand stuff that we use. Since theEdge arrived, it is all I can do to make it through the closest BiLo. One day I'll make it back to my frugal grocery ways, but for now convenience is everything!
Just get it done, girl, and breathe easier. ; )
I'm so glad you really are normal. i'm glad you growl too.
WE moved to the country after years of city living. I have learned that if Walmart does not sell it- it does not exist!
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