Now I know that the mall play area scares some people but it really is the best place to let the kids run and play when the weather sucks. Its free, Hayden usually makes a friend or two and the babies get to climb on things (that are not my furniture) until there hearts are content. And me well, I get to sit down for a minute or two.
So if you think that you want to try and go to a mall play area, here are a few things that you need to make a successful trip.
- No Help. People always just walk past me as I struggle to get the door open to get a double stroller inside all while trying to keep Hayden from running into traffic and the door from hitting a baby in the head. The rule, keep your hand and heads inside the stroller, really applies here.
- Injury. Hayden falling and screaming his head off in the loud echoye mall and Hayden falling off a chair after I asked him to sit still and not lean backwards
- Temper-tantrums. One or two of these lovely actions this time about food not being exactly what was wanted but the reason doesn't really matter.
- Food Throwing. There must always be food or a cup thrown across the table or onto the floor, always.
- Public Humiliation. People commenting about how I have my hands full and then in the same breath asking me when my next baby is due or saying, 'Wow, I can't believe that you are going to have another one'. I am SO not pregnant people, SO NOT!
- Messiest Snack Ever. For some reason I will never learn and choose the messiest snack at the mall. Cinnamon covered pretzels or a bagel with cream cheese any one.
- Sucker Mommy. Yup thats me. Hayden wants to 'just look' in the Disney Store but some how we manage to leave with toys in the kid's hands and a receipt in my hand.
*Seriously people, tell me why I leave my house because I am thinking of not ever leaving again.*
42 comments:
OMG..I hate the pregnant comments! Thankfully I haven't had one in awhile..must mean I'm just fat all over now instead of the tummy area but that TOTALLY can ruin a day!
I'll drink a glass of wine in commiseration with ya tonight.
I'm impressed.
I only have one and I still struggle at the mall.
Sorry about the pregnant comments - when will people learn?
Good times!! HEHEHE!
Super mom is more like it.
I am so there with the public humiliation thing. Unfortunatly, I get it at home sometimes too.
And you have to have the messiest snack, they are always the best tasting. Especially if the kids can make me wear some it, too.
And last but not least, at least you are brave enough to try.
I'm pretty sure I experienced every single one of those scenarios when my kids were younger...
you ARE super mom!
I know it's horrible :( But there's that tiny little corner of your mind that feels better for doing it, and if you always stayed home you'be stir-crazy and completely whacked out! It's not *much* of an upside but it's something.
yep...that's the game. you win!
chik-fil-a is my fav play place...there's a fab glass jail that the kids are in and you can smile and wave at them like monkeys at the zoo. sad, though, but i still get to sit and they get to play.
Oh wow-Id def. stay home!
haha
that's a scene that sounds familiar :)
Hmm, it all sounds very familiar. So do you have a twin stroller and what about no 3? Backpack?
I love the mall play area! It really is great. I ALWAYS help other mommies out, that's the code.
You keep doing it because you know its still better for your kids to get out instead of staying in all the time, and you're a good mommy that tries to do the best you can for your kids!
Now please remind me of that when I post the same thing on my blog:)
What the heck is wrong with people?! It amazes me everytime I go out in public how some people are as rude as can be (not holding open doors, not saying excuse me, staring openly at people for no apparent reason, and then to say stupid things to people like assuming someone is pregnant!). Eesh.
My least favorite mall play time occurred when a 3-year old girl (don't know where her parent/s might have been) took Delia's hand and started running away with her down the mall. I had to run to chase them down.
Our mall does not have a play area...what's up with that!?
All those things are needed to make a successful trip? What if I don't have access to a bagel with cream cheese? Will Chinese food work? Or a greasy burger?
I think that you should not ask someone if they're pregnant. Unless they're wearing a flashing necklace that advertises the pregnancy, a shirt that says "knocked up", or mention it in conversation...don't assume!
Yeah. I love mall entrances that don't have the handicap door opener. And then ppl to walk thru while WATCHING you struggle. That's just swell.
And not only did he ask, but a family friend actually went so far as to rub my belly and say, "so is that another one?" Then when I emphatically replied, NO!!! This is just leftovers." He had the audacity to say, "Well, nothing a few thousand situps won't cure." ARE YOU KIDDING ME!So yeah, I feel yer pain. I think we are living duplicate lives (only mine aren't triplets.) Too bad we don't live closer. We could have coffee and commiserate while watching our children demolish a park (or themselves) or something.
Ok, thanks for the tips...I'm packing my kids up and heading out now! Seriously, though, other people's comment really tick me off! I know most of them don't mean to be rude or insensitive but seriously...people need to learn to THINK before they speak!
I did that once. I asked a girl when she was due. Not realizing that the baby was in a stroller right behind her. ~hangs my head in shame~
hee hee - I started to sweat when I heard you WENT to the mall with AL4 KIDS! NEVER - I go into a panic mode when I go with all mine.
And seriously, if I hear one more time - wow you have your hands full I am going to puke!
It does make for good blogging material though! Fun times:)
I can't believe that people say you are pregnant??!! The horror!
I always have a due date in my mind that would make me about 4 months pregnant or so, just in case someone thinks that I am pregnant.
Paranoia at it's best.
And I get a cinnamon/sugar pretzel EVERY TIME and then I curse myself as I look at my sticky/sugary baby EVERY TIME!
Why don't I learn?
You MUST still get out of the house so that you can keep sane. It is everyone ELSE at the mall who needs to step up to the plate and help you out and compliment how wonderful you look!
Some people are just ignorant. GREAT post!!!
Grr...I hate the mall playland. I'm the mean mommy who won't allow Elizabeth anywhere near it. Luckily it's at the dead end of the mall that I never shop in.
As far as the pregnancy comments...people can be so rude. I heard a comedian joke that unless a woman is laying in a birthing room 10 centimeters dialated--and even then, you probably shouldn't mention it.
Are you wearing empire waisted, puffy tops? (Like ALL the freaking tops that are in stores right now.) I know I wore one to get the doctor's office, needed a chest X-ray, and every freaking nurse stared at my top and said, "Are you pregnant?"
I never wore that top again.
Thanks for reminding me of why I try not to go places with the kids by myself!
I have many a days like this logged in my past. When we lived in Arizona, we had to go to the mall play areas in the summer. (Playground slides can leave 2nd degree burns when it's 118 outside. Once before my son was walking, he escaped and was crawling like a mad man toward the elevator. People were very kind that day. Though, there were many chucklers, as I toted a newborn, a barely walking toddler and a tantrum throwing three year-old as fast as I could toward my son attempting to crawl onto an elevator 200 feet away. (he was fast.)
Awww, the joys of the mall playground.
This is why I living in a small town, the nearest mall with a play area (acutally the nearest mall period) is an hour away! An hour! This is also why I live in AZ because today it is supposed to be in the 80s!
Yeah...people who don't know you shouldn't be making comments about your appearance. Even with the best intentions.
I have gotten several preggo comments from my mother in law...like I am keeping it from her...I wonder if having triplets has just screwed that area up so much that it will always look like I am preggo. You are soooo amazing...I have not dared to leave with all three...I think I would have a nervous breakdown, and people really dont help. I have found that only men will open the door for me when I am trying to get a double stroller through, with baby on back...lol
Oh, don't get me started on no help! I know I only have a single stroller but a few weeks ago I had single stroller with Tyler and Grandma with her walker (my mom was there too but had her hands full). We were @ the food court @ the mall trying to get to this open table. Do you think anyone could help out with toddler in stroller and maybe more importantly - Grandma walking slowly with walker?!?! NOOOOOOOOOOOO! All people just sat around looking all frustrated @ me like we were interrupting their meal as we all tried to squeeze past. Oooo I was mad! And the doors, people always stand there and wait for you to pass, watching as you struggle through with stroller, bags, etc. or they sigh because if they are right behind you, you are taking to long for them instead stepping up and Heaven forbid, holding the door open for you. Where's the common courtesy people! Doesn't anyone have manners anymore?!?!?
If I ever see you I promise to help. People suck.
Oh, the "You have your hands full" comment is the ALL TIME WORST. Since usually it is their "kind" way of saying "Your kids are annoying me and I wish you would leave, you crazy breeding woman." Arg! One of these days I'm going to be brave and come back with "Yes I do. Are you like to actually be helpful and lend me an extra hand or just continue to stand there and judge me?"
Ugh. I cannot believe people would make a pregnant comment. How horrid. You should just tell them you are going to have more till TLC offers you a show. Maybe then they will just be rendered speechless.
Ok, I don't get why people don't help women thru the door when they have a stroller? It's just plain rude. And asking if you are due.....super duper rude.
I am SUCH a sucker mommy!! Why do I always cave and buy something?? Why??
I haven't had the pregnancy comment (yet) but I have had people stare at me as I fell onto a busy downtown sidewalk while 8 1/2 months pregnant---NO ONE helped. Nice, eh?
Ummm that's really funny in a sad sort of way --> No one helps you? At all? What type of crap human beings are roaming this planet anyway?!
Right well, apparently you should wear a shirt or something that says,
"No, please. Just stare at me, instead of grabbing the door. It's really better that way."
I am still astonoshed that people ask the pregnancy question!! I dont DARE ask it ever... even if I am 99% sure. If they bring it up only then will I discuss it with them...
AS for the other tips... I can relate to all of them!
I love how people enjoy watching... yet never want to help. It drives me nuts!
And pregnancy comments... if one more person asks me if it's "any day now" I'm going to go ape sh**. No people - I still technically have 5.5 weeks until my due date - and 4 weeks until I'm induced. I know I'm big, why comment?
People see you struggling and then just ignore your silent pleas for help? I am so sorry!
I have to give you props for taking all 4 kids at once. I get stressed out just with 2. Yeesh.
Ugh! I still get the "are you pregnant" comments! Yes people, this is what a body looks like 2 years after having twins. Thanks for noticing!
This post is the exact reason why I have not yet taken my own kids to the mall play area! That place scares the crap outta me. lol
Oh, I hate the pregnant comments too! Someone asked me that a week after I had my son, and I nearly broke down. Have a good day! Hope things improve!
I think I've said it before but I'll say it again...you are a better woman than me!
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