I simply must share this little scene with you that happened recently. I was at the grocer, picking up a few items. When I got in line to check out, I was behind a tired looking mother of an extremely active, highly vocal, and quite insistent child who was letting everyone know that he was “BOOOOOOORRRRRRRREEEEDDDDD!” Everything was boring. Everyone was boring.
Mom gave him her cellphone so he could play a game, he promptly threw it at her, breaking the cellphone against the wall, and Mom just sighed, picked up the pieces and tried to remain composed. Which prompted the intrepid young prince to begin his tirade of “Mom….Moooooommmmmm…….Mama…….Mommy…..Mah….” which would have tested the patience of even the most devout saint (of which I am not).
Mom attempted to console this child with candy, promises of a movie on the way home, an entire list of promises of goodies which stunned me to the core. Honestly, when I was his age (yes, I’m sounding old now) my mother put me in the shopping cart seat and told me “Do NOT move!” And that was that. Had I engaged in the behaviour I was witnessing, I would probably have gone the way of Jimmy Hoffa (look him up if you don’t know who this is. He disappeared without a trace).
Finally, after about ten minutes into his loud tantrum and continuing increase in pitch and volume, one of the mothers from the other line (who had 5 children with her and each one very quiet), leaned over and whispered something into his ear. Instantly, he was quiet, still, and very compliant.
And the child’s rampage sparked a thought. How can we be bored? Life is an adventure! Every single day there is something new to learn. You’re only bored because you choose to be. You’re only bored because you expect someone else to entertain you. Think for yourself! Be adventurous. Life isn’t always about the adrenaline rush of ceaseless adventure; rather, it is about those WOW moments that we see if we look.
And as a matter of note, I asked the mother of five what she said to this young noise enthusiast. She smiled and said, “I have a snake in my car. I left home with six kids, can’t find one, want to take his place?”
This anecdote was an entertaining reminder to appreciate the little things. A lesson we all have to learn over and over again. I have the same thought when I see kids throwing a fit in public. I say to myself, “man, my parents would have knocked me upside the head so fast.”
I’m grateful for the few minutes of peace and quiet while drinking my coffee.
Raising kids is tough!! I dont beat mine near enough!
I bet you are an awesome Mom. Your Monchers are blessed to have you.
Zac would agree with you, Emma not so much but I hope when it is their turn that they will appreciate my meager attempts