Monday, April 13, 2015

Looking for the Bathroom and Finding a Miracle in the Grocery Store

We recently started shopping at a new grocery store. And on our last trip there, I found out something wonderful. Marvelous, really. Miraculous.

It started out like any normal grocery run: we're almost done when my 3-year-old starts to do the potty dance. I beg and cajole her to just hold it for 15 minutes until we're home, but she flies into a rage of despair in the produce aisle at the mere suggestion because she JUST CAN'T, MOMMY, SHE CAN'T.

Okay, fine.

So I risk a hernia as I try to about-face our behemoth shopping cart precariously loaded with a week's worth of groceries for our family of 7, and we head for the bathroom.

On the opposite side of the store.

It's a long journey on preschooler-sized legs and she'll be hoofing it. The baby's in the seat and the cart's full to the brim.

I briefly consider tucking her under my arm like a football and making a run for it, plowing people out of the way with my outstretched hand. But again, there's the baby.

So we walk fast. As we pass a gluten-free cracker display, I sneak a sideways glance at the 3-year old. It's not looking good. She's grimacing and doing a jig on her toes at my side. I hiss under my breath, "Just-hold-it-please-do-not-pee-your-pants-in-the-store-I-beg-of-you."

The clock is ticking.

We've never been to the restroom at this particular grocery store before, but I know exactly where it is because they're all the same: in the back by the deli, past the stinky lobster tank, through the "employee's only" door, up a flight of peeling metal stairs. Ignore the questionable smells and the buzz of the fluorescent lights in the back room. Startle some employees having lunch when we parade past the break room, and finally, finally arrive at the bathroom. 

Every time we go grocery shopping, I try to avoid the trip to the potty, but it rarely works. I think my daughter secretly joined their loyalty rewards program, because she sure likes to visit as often as she can.

And now we're almost there. My daughter's prancing around like a circus pony on speed but at least she's still dry. I hope we don't have an accident in front of the employees having lunch.

As we near the deli counter, an extraordinary sight greets my eyes:

Looking for the Bathroom and Finding a Miracle in the Grocery Store -- It's inevitable. If you take a preschooler grocery shopping, you're going to end up in the restroom sooner or later. Sometimes though, you might just be pleasantly surprised when you do.  {posted @ Unremarkable Files}
Nirvana.

Bathrooms! Right there on the main floor! Legit public restrooms, clean ones, with pretty tile and a drinking fountain and even a handicapped stall.

No wandering around in the dark creepy recesses of the stock room.

No hoping against hope that our cart won't be reclaimed for abandoned because we're gone for so long (which would make my daughter cry because her pudding is gone, and make me cry because I'd have to start all over.)

No trekking through the employee's break room. This is genius.

Whoever designed this layout with its wonderfully convenient restroom placement, thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. From the bottom of all mothers' hearts.

Despite our best intentions, despite the fact that this is the last place we want to be while doing our grocery shopping, we all end up here, at the restroom.

Looking for the Bathroom and Finding a Miracle in the Grocery Store -- It's inevitable. If you take a preschooler grocery shopping, you're going to end up in the restroom sooner or later. Sometimes though, you might just be pleasantly surprised when you do.  {posted @ Unremarkable Files}

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27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hahaha love this. All mamas can relate!

Jenny Evans said...

And we all have to trek through the back room. Why? Now that I've tried this sweet restroom setup for myself, I'll never shop anywhere else and might possibly write this grocery store into my will!

Penny Pincher (Dawn) said...

I'm from England and all the big supermarkets have bathrooms on the main floor but I certainly know all about the kids wanting to go for a pee. Best thing about some of ours is they even have free diapers for the babies; that doesn't mean that you can help yourself to six or seven like I wanted to do sooooo many times.

The Resourceful Mama said...

This is hilarious. I came out of one of these bathrooms once and had no idea which way to turn to get back. We had went so quickly getting there, I had not paid attention. Ended up setting off an alarm which told that was probably not the correct way.

Jenny Evans (sister, not author) said...

"My daughter's prancing around like a circus pony on speed but at least she's still dry." I cannot stop laughing! Your writing is so spot on sometimes, I can actually picture her doing this. Can't wait to see yoi guus next month!

Unknown said...

I was going to say the same as Dawn - I'm really surprised that your grocery stores don't have convenient toilets (sorry - restrooms 😉) as all of ours do. Then again most of ours are all on one floor. Doesn't make it any more convenient when you have a small child doing the potty dance and a full trolley though 😊

Jenny Evans said...

Wow. Some kind soul at our church left diapers and Pull-ups in a few different sizes in the restroom, and there have been a few times when it's made all the difference for us.

Jenny Evans said...

I'm sure you enjoyed the eventful day and all the notoriety it brought to you.

Jenny Evans said...

Same! We are counting down.

Treasures from a shoebox said...

Don't you always feel like you're doing something wrong by being in those crazy, hidden bathrooms, tucked away in the stock room--places not meant to be seen by the common shopper. Those of us with children are "special" I guess. Loved this post!

Jenny Evans said...

Wow, maybe I should move to the UK. I can't remember the last time we took a pit stop in a store and they had a public restroom (not the sketchy employee's restroom in the back.)

We were at Famous Footwear once and were told that we weren't even allowed to use the employee's restroom so we actually had to leave the store and go next door to Staples! Obviously we didn't purchase any shoes that day.

Caroline @ In Due Time said...

haha! Although I don't have kids yet, I'm guilty of trying to delay until I get home too ;)

mumturnedmom said...

Oh, this made me smile and grimace at the same time! Been there, and yes they do seem to be in random corners of the stores here, although I haven't had to go up stairs yet... Much more obvious in UK supermarkets :)

Tasha said...

Oh gosh!! The dreaded bathroom breaks!!! My daughter is 2 and she has to go at least TWICE while we're grocery shopping! Must be a toddler conspiracy lol

Unknown said...

LOL oh the bathroom stops with little ones can be so interesting. Loved this "adventure". All grocery stores should have proper 'restrooms". Truth be told - a good bathroom setup will determine whether or not I give a store my business... just sayin'.

Thanks for the chuckles.
xoxo

Queen Mom Jen said...

Wow, none of my grocery store bathrooms look like that! They are seedy, dark corners I have to frequent every dang time we are there! Hooray for your miracle though, maybe someday it will be so for me :)

Jenny Evans said...

I think that is a terrific way to evaluate which stores you patronize.

Jenny Evans said...

This is a newly built grocery store. You should have seen the one where we used to shop. Good luck finding your miracle.

Jenny Evans said...

Funny that you say that. I always thought it was just me who felt that way! I'm always rushing my daughter with "hurry up, hurry up" the whole time we're in there because I just want to be out! Feels like we're trespassing.

Lynne said...

That's like an oasis! My son will only go in select public bathrooms and the sketchy ones are out. Which is many of them. What a blessing you found!

Unknown said...

Haha, great post. You've got a real way with words. Oh, stories like this make me want to keep out tot in nappies forever. Is there anyway to move straight from nappies to being able to hold it and wipe your own butt??

#sharewithme

Jenny Evans said...

That's the holy grail of parenting. I've been searching for it for years and haven't found it yet.

Unknown said...

Lucas says - YAY!!!! Good for them. Glad you made it in time lil' dudette and Well Done for holding it in xx #sharewithme

Let's Talk Mommy said...

hhaha this is brilliant and I can so relate with two in the grocery store and the toddler needed the bathroom. Everytime. lol Thank you ever so much for linking up to Share With Me #sharewithme

Alycia said...

haha. As a mother of a trained 2 year old, this was a big struggle for us sometimes too. Finding those darn bathrooms! When your training kid tells you they have to pee, you have to believe them and make a run for it!

Thanks for linking up with the Saturday Spotlight!

Anonymous said...

I know this is horrible, but...
My 2 and 1/2 yo grand is training- AT my HOUSE! When I take her out in public, it's diapers. I know, I know, I'm giving her life long "issues".
But, let's face it- I'm too OLD and FAT to run!!
ANd Publix- the Perfect grocery stores!! Started here in Fl, and slowly spreading up north. Bathrooms so clean, and accessible!! They carry out the groceries too!! FOR FREE!! no tipping allowed- they get fired.
One boy even ran back in and bought my milk, I'd forgotten. With his own money!! I'm very loyal to Publix!!

PurpleSlob said...

Hi Jenny, yet another post I linked to today.
https://purpleslobinrecovery.wordpress.com/2016/12/14/evasive-eevans-events/