Thanks for Sharing

   I signed the Sugar Snaps up for a music and movement class which they just started today.  We also enrolled them in three hours of preschool twice a week so that they can interact more with other children.  The rest of the time, I do home preschool.  I thought I timed it perfectly in terms of leaving the music class and heading to the preschool.  I did not want to be too early, nor late. 

     As we were leaving the class, the teacher caught up with me and stopped me.  She told me that she suspected Capri had had an accident because the back of her dress looked a little wet and a puddle on the carpet confirmed it.  I apologized and thanked her.  Capri rarely ever has accidents.  I cannot remember the last time this happened. But, they were in a new setting and she was afraid to ask the teacher if she could use the potty. 

     Now we were going to be late.  I really dislike being late, especially with four as it has a big impact on the class.  I stopped at a local department store to buy new leggings and underpants for Capri.  This was no small feat with the four of them.  It turned out to buy the pants, I had to walk all the way across the department store to the elevator, then all the way across the store to children’s, then all the way across back to the elevator, and across the store once more to the exit.  It was about the most inefficient route imaginable.  If you have ever tried to hurry with four preschoolers, you know this is quite the undertaking. They all walk at different speeds and when I try to hurry the speed of the slowest, it causes someone topple.  Then, in our family tradition, the one who has fallen “dusts himself/herself off” and continues.   We had three of these mini-falls before we got out of the store.

     When we arrived at the children’s department, I told the clerks that I was running very late and said I would apreciate it if they could help find me a pair of black leggings  in a 4T and a pair of underpants that would fit Capri.   They said yes and got me the leggings.  I grabbed a pair of underpants and asked if those would work.  They said “no” and handed me a pair that would fit.  The clerk proceeded to ask me if I would like to search for two more and get three for $12.99.  I reminded her that I was running late and said I would stick with just one.  Meanwhile, I had to watch the four Sugar Snaps and stop them from touching the credit card machine and clothing racks. 

     As the clerk was ringing up the order, I said, “My daughter had an accident on the way to school and I just needed to buy her a pair of leggings and underpants really quick.”  With an unfriendly expression, the clerk said, “Oh.  Did you know today is the first day of thanks for sharing?”  I was taken aback and did not know what to say.  Finally, I said, “that was a little rude.”  She then gestured to a tiny sign on the counter about the store’s ‘thanks for sharing’ promotion.  I was completely mortified.  I apologized profusely for misinterpreting what she said.  I had added a very embarrassing moment to the day and by the time we got to the preschool, we were a half hour late (also embarrassing). 

     If you have ever had embarrassing moments you’d be willing to share, I would love to read about them in the comments.  This was not my first embarrassing moment, and it won’t be my last.  It would help to know I am not the only one!  I do not think I will be returning to that children’s department any time soon