“You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance.” – Franklin P. Jones
Toddlers can really test your patience sometimes. I was maternity shopping and didn’t bring much for Z to entertain herself in the dressing room while I tried on outfits. Z scrounged through my bag and pulled out my wallet. Usually she likes to look at the cards and the photos, etc, and it buys me a few more minutes.
This time though I glanced over distractedly and noticed her pointing to the baseboards in the changing room and saying ‘card rakliya’ meaning ‘placed the card.’ She had wedged the card into the baseboard of the changing room and it wouldn’t come out! I asked for tweezers from the store owner to retrieve the card and looked through my wallet. Luckily it wasn’t my driver’s license or debit card but it was my teacher ID, my only proof that I’m a teacher and irreplaceable.
By the time the store clerk found a pair of tweezers from next door, the card had slipped down into the wooden baseboard, only retrievable if they dismantled the changing room, something they sadly weren’t going to do.
I don’t know why losing my teacher ID bothered me so much; I just like having that ID. I worked hard for 4 years and it was my little tangible item. And since I’m not officially working at the moment, Fulton County Schools won’t give me one just for memory sake!
Ah well.
Z didn’t look remorseful and said “Mummy card giradia’ blaming me saying “Mummy dropped the card!” At this point, we left the store peeved and I bought a maternity dress that I didn’t need and tried to return it the next day, with no luck, apparently the store I shopped at only uses store credit, something I didn’t notice in my frantic rush to leave the store. Maternity shopping with a toddler in tow requires patience as does any shopping with a toddler.
It’s important to realize that I have so much to be grateful for, and situations can always be worse!
“O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.” – Quran 2:153.
Photo Credit: Naoman Malik – thanks!
Doodling Through Life 
Sorry about the loss of your teacher’s card. I understand your frustration at shopping with a small child. I had taken my boys school shopping at a children’s resale shop. I’d told my six-year-old to play with the toys in the corner play area, but he wanted to play with the toys that were for sale and placed on a shelf higher than his head. I turned to look through a rack of clothing and out of the corner of my eye saw him jump for a toy and pull an eight-foot shelf down on top of himself. It scared him, me and the store owner. He got a huge goose egg on the back of his head, a bump between his eyes and bloodied his mouth. I was upset that the shelf wasn’t anchored to prevent this sort of thing, but yet it was my son’s fault. I’d told him no.
I know shopping with kids can be so frustrating! I wish shopkeepers were more accommodating!
awesome post and great quote!
thanks!
Reemy what happened? Did you finally find your card ?! A big hug for both of you.nana