Another Kroger Moment

Someone did the nicest thing today. We were leaving Kroger and my bag of ice was falling out of the cart so I stopped to put it back underneath. When I looked up Silas was standing in the middle of the busy street crossing in front of the store. At the same time I saw a huge truck turning out of the row and heading towards him. A primal scream came out of me Silas! and he started running back to me. People around me also screamed when they saw what was happening. I got him back to the cart and bent down pulling him close to me, trying to decide what to do. I pointed to all of the cars explaining what would happen if they ran over him, trying to paint a very vivid picture. I made him look in my eyes and repeat what I was telling him and promising me that he would only go in the street if mommy was with him. I could tell he was embarrassed and a little upset so I gave him a big hug and told him I don't ever want him to get hurt. We walked to our car with him holding onto the cart.

When we got to the car a woman drove over and stopped. She said I just have to tell you how awesome I think you handled that. If that were me I would have lost it and at least screamed at my child! You did such an amazing job teaching him and not getting carried away with your emotions.

It's powerful to get that kind of encouragement as a parent. You feel such a huge responsibility when you raise children and so much of the time you magnify your flaws and your victories rarely make it on the radar. For instance, as I was walking to my car I was thinking of how I let my guard down and my child ran into the street, not that I did anything good afterward. If you ever see a parent doing something well, you should take the time to let them know (even, maybe especially, if it's your spouse!)

On another note, I can't believe the things that come out of Silas' mouth these days. He's so stinkin entertaining. 

 

When we got home he and I ate lunch together at the dinner table with The Biggest Loser playing in the living room. He wanted to know why that lady was crying. I told him that sometime people's bodies get too big and then they feel really bad and it's hard for them to move and walk. And that lady was sad because she didn't feel good but she was going to work really hard to make her body smaller again so she could run and jump and feel better. He was very interested.

He asked me if my body ever gets too big. I told him yes, when I carried you in my belly my body got very big then I had to exercise alot to get it smaller again. He asked where you do that exercise at? I said here in my house. Where? he asked again. Right here in my house I repeated. But Mommy, this is my house. Where your house at?