For the second time this year (yes, 2009) I have played the role of "negligent mother". I'm not necessarily guilty of negligent behavior, mind you, but I am the woman who earns the title due to the actions of a particular middle child.
Ellie is somewhat of an independent child. Pair this up with a tendency towards absent-mindedness and voila!...you have a child who is incapable of understanding her mothers' request to remain within eyeshot. While shopping today I turned around and suddenly found myself one child short. I didn't panic...at first.
The initial several minutes were host to under-the-breath muttered threats.
The next several minutes were filled with expressions of disbelief.
After that: Silence.
Then: FAR too many minutes of earnest beseeching prayer.
Throughout this process I recruited the efforts of the entire store (employees, management, and customers). We looked everywhere. Under things. In things. On top of things. An announcement was made over the P.A. system. Then...I panicked. I thought, Abduction? Really? I left everyone to comb through the store (again) and searched the parking lot and stores next door. No luck. Just as we began to contemplate the necessity of calling in the authorities...she materializes. Nonchalant. Calm. Apparently unaware of all the excitement she has caused.
I rushed to hug her and demanded, "Where have you been?" She answers, "I was going poop and pee in the bathroom." (And yes, the bathroom had been checked...twice.)
I've said it before and I'll say it again...potty-training is going to be the DEATH of me!
15 comments:
Aaaagh, what a nightmare! How did she even know where the restroom was? It's definately a middle child thing. Take some long, deep breaths tonight and...let me know if you need chocolate? :-)
Oh, don't worry...I've already consumed my weight in chocolate this evening. :)
Whew! I have had a few tiny moments when I thought one of my chitlins was missing. But to go through it that long?! You deserve to eat your weight in chocolate! Glad she's safe.
WOW! I can't even imagine. I would have been screaming and crying, or just really scary (probably all 3). Those middle children sure know how to make us want to pull all our hair out.
You have to love Middle Children! Amy I am glad she found you or you found her! I hope that she learns to voice her need to potty so you can go with her! I can bring you more chocolate if you want!
We have all been in this situation, should you cry, scream, so many emotions all at once. Glad it turned out okay.
Uggh! My heart was racing while I read that. I'm so glad she turned up totally fine. That's kind of funny that she was going "poop and pee." All by herself in a public restroom. No worries:D
Yikes! If it makes you feel any better Jonah took off at the library and was in the parking lot by the time I got to him with some lady standing by him saying, "Where is your mother!"
Hi Amy! What a story. I'm so glad Ellie was found, and home safe. I can't tell you how many times my little one has run off; and I only have one walking child to look after. Always on the move. I love your blog, so cute!
Parenting- it's not for the faint of heart. I'm so glad she is ok.
I just have to reiterate what I told you already. It's for sure a middle child thing! I told you about my Easton and the State Fair exerience...how about the time he got lost at the mall and the security guard finally found him outside!! Ya he was 3!!! Many tears have been shed, but he's still here so we're good! Have fun! It's an adventure!
P.S. the best purchase I ever made was the child leash! I'm not kidding!!
Hey I just wanted to say hi and that I have finally started to get up to speed and start blogging
cgbrownie.blogspot.com just in case you need the address
Oh she would be so dead at my house! How scary. Did they do a "code adam?"
Oh my gosh Amy! I had a heart attack just reading it! You poor thing! I am so glad she didn't know she was "lost!" You deserve a night off girl! I wish I was there to wisk you away! This mom stuff is not for the faint of heart!
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