The smiling "you poor thing" look at the grocery store

Do you ever get those looks? The ones, usually from another mom who is lucky enough to be at the grocery store without her adorable children? I got one of those today. I was not lucky enough to be at the grocery store alone. I dragged the kids there after the gym for approximately 15 items. Now, I realize a trip to the grocery store is not most kids' idea of great fun, but now that school is out I don't have much choice but to bring them along, or, wait until my husband gets home and I can go out sans those adorable kiddos of mine. Usually though, I'm too tired by that time of the evening rolls around and a trip to the grocery store isn't on the top of my list of ways to spend my evening.

Back to the look. I really only had about 15 items on my list, quick in and out, right? Not. I gave in and agreed to the 20 foot long shopping cart that has that seat attached to it for the kids. Oh how I hate that shopping cart. It's like trying to push a boat through the store. And the looks of pity I get when pushing that thing around aren't any better than the "you poor thing" look. But, because I thought if I let them have something they want, the boat of a shopping cart, they would maybe give me what I wanted, to just get my things as quickly and painlessly as possible and get out of that store. I try to hurry, I really do. I know exactly what I need, it's on the list. But then I get bombarded with requests for this and that, and every time I stop the cart my little guy sees it as an opportunity to stand up, get off the cart, touch everything and then lesuirely take his time sitting back down. It goes on, and on. Oh, the look, it's coming. After asking the child to sit down for the 10th time in two minutes and only having 5 things scratched off my shopping list after a half hour in the store already, I have that frustrated, "I should have waited till the husband got home" look on my face. Either that or I am still all sweaty and red in the face from the gym. Whatever the reason, here comes the look. A woman, alone, shopping at her own pace, taking her time choosing between different brands, sees me. She gives me the look. I know what she is thinking "Oh, that poor woman. I remember the days when I had to bring my kids to the grocery store too. Poor thing" And, she gives me a big smile and a little nod, as if to say "Hang in there! One day you'll have grocery shopping freedom like me!" I smile back at her because I know she is right. I can smell that freedom. School starts in only 51 more days.