I could only hear the screams (which had been heard isles before) but as I got closer to the family I could hear the father as well. "I'm not listening. I can't hear you," he said over and over again in a low tone. I grabbed my bag of blue corn chips (one of my very favorite snacks) and turned to exit the isle the same way I came in. The family had stopped at the cookies. The parents seemed to be attempting to bribe the child into self-control. From what I could see, they offered him a couple types of cookies. Both of which he refused before the mother said in an agitated tone, "Fine, then, you don't get anything." And so, the boy resumed his crying.
I prayed silently, "Dear God, help me to be consistent." I thought of my 16-month old daughter and how I am trying to raise her... without bribes.
This is the beginning of my discourse with you. As I try to purposefully stumble into good parenting, I will inevitably prove myself incapable at times - especially in public - but I will still tutor myself towards improvement.
