
I’ve had things down pat on the shopping-with-kids thing for quite some time and then I went and ruined everything. It’s all going to sound tres dictatorial but it works for me and it’s been a long time between checkout meltdowns (mine or the kids). I don’t give in to requests for stuff or treats when out and about* and for ages now, if ever there is one, my reply is the same every time: Does that really work? Do I ever buy anything when you ask or whine or whinge? Nope? Right. Let’s put it on your birthday list then...
A month or so ago, I was out with the small and she spotted a see-through, starry umbrella and she was beside-herself excited and asked if she could have one for her birthday (10 months hence). I took one look. I remembered the pitter patter sound of raindrops falling on my kid-size umbrella. How I would stand under mine in my soggy gumboots, watching the rain plop and drop and drip and dribble and generally marvel at how LOVELY and WONDERFUL it was to have a see-through umbrella. So then I said, Actually I think we’ll buy it right now! and there was an anklebiter jaw drop.

Last week I was out with the same small again. There was a ‘Can I have...?’ question. I got as far as: ‘Does that ever really work when you ask? The immediate kid response? YES! YES! YES! REALLY? HOO-RAAAAAAY!!!!
PS. There was an all-in sibling bug rescue yesterday. Sixty three beetles were rescued from a drenched and certain drowning death.

In some cases this was more of a case of out of the frying pan into the fire.

PPPS. Photographic, irrefutable, evidential proof that I have planted my zinnia seeds from Susie. I suspect this wouldn’t stand up in a court of law but you don’t think the Middle would donate twenty loo rolls for making dirt sushi do you?

* While I fully admit to being a dragon of a mother (mwah ha ha ha) this is not to say that I don’t subscribe to the occasional unannounced and entirely spontaneous kid treat. This will stand up in a court of law – I have receipts.