I went to Kohl's the other night with the four younger kids. I know. That was my first mistake. The kids are usually with me when I shop and are well behaved most of the time. Anyway, the saga began in the parking lot. It was freezing out and I said, "Madison, should I put Rocco in the stroller or chance that there is a cart inside?"
She said, "There will be a cart."
I said,"No, I'll just do the stroller."
"Mom, it's so cold out, you don't want to deal with it. Oh, look! There's a cart over there."
I parked beside the cart she'd spotted, unloaded the kids, put Rocco in the cart and ran inside. Once in the store, I realized the cart's buckle was broken, but figured Rocco would certainly cooperate. (The Kohl's carts have the child seat low and in front, like a stroller, not like a grocery cart.)
We browsed and shopped for about 1/2 an hour when I realized that Rocco had pooped. The diaper bag was in the car, so I said, "OK, kids. We got one more section I want to look at quick and then we gotta go."
Once in the men's department, Rocco began standing in the cart. I had a choice. Let him keep getting up and potentially fall on his head or pull him out and carry him. I took him out. And he smelled! I set him down to dig through a rack, looking for a size M. In the matter of two seconds, he was gone! Immediately Madison went one way and I went the other calling after him. He's too little to understand to answer me. Madison and I criss-crossed the area again, now both of running.
I went to the nearest exit, heart pounding, and said to the woman at the register, "I can't find one of my kids. Can you please lock the doors or make an announcement?"
She gave me a blank stare and said, "Uhhh....have you seen a manager....." Her voice trailed off as I turned on my heel, realizing she was no help. It took all the Jesus in me not to punch her.
I ran to the only other exit and again said to the cashier, "Please. I can't find my son! No one will help me. Can you please lock the doors?"
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Just at that moment I looked up and a man was walking toward me with Rocco. He was holding him facing out with straight arms. I'm still not sure if it was 'cause Rocco stunk or if he was like, "Got a kid here...I'm not taking him, just trying to find the owner....who's missing a kid?"
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I grabbed him and thanked the man profusely. I was sweaty and nearly hysterical, causing quite the scene, I'm sure.
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After hugging and kissing Rocco, thanking the man profusely over and over, and apologizing for the fact that he smelled, I started back to the men's section where the cart and other 3 kids were, only to find that Trevor, who had been in the cart through the search was now GoNE! So I started yelling Trevor's name. I looked up to see a patron and an employee walking Trevor back to me. Relief. "Ma'am, is this the boy you lost?"
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"No, (just about at my limit now) I was looking for this one (referring to Rocco) and I guess he got out of the cart" (referring to Trev).
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The two woman looked confused, but I also thanked them profusely and tried to collect myself and my things to go home.
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It was a little awkward at the registers, as you can imagine. I checked out, definitely rocking it out at the register! I always do good at Kohls! I put my bags in the back of the cart. Rocco was sitting in the front again. We ran out to the van. I loaded the kids in, pushed the cart to the nose of the van, and drove home. It was after I was in the garage and turned the engine off that I realized ALL of my bags were still in the back of that stupid cart in the middle of the Kohl's lot!
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I was sooooo mad! At myself. I am a loyal cart-returner, BUT Kohl's does not have a cart return area in the lot AND it was freezing AND I wasn't about to leave all the kids I'd just found to take the cart back into the store.
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I called Kohl's and gave the girl a brief synopsis on how I had loaded the kids and forgot the bags. I was put on hold only to be told that no bags were returned to the store. I explained where the cart was. Then I was on hold for a long time. Standing at the sink, now drained emotionally, I breathed, "Lord, I know my Kohl's crap is not important, but please, can they just find my stuff?"
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At that second, the girl came back on and said, "We have your bags!"
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I was so happy. I told her to put it under 'Amy' and that my husband would be there in 1/2 hour to pick it up. I thanked her profusely. I called Colombo and told him he needed to stop in at Kohl's on the way home from hockey because I left my bags in the cart. He laughed at me.
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When he got home, he asked me what 'the rest of the story' was. Apparently when he asked for 'Amy's' bags at customer service the people back there kinda shook there heads and were like, "Oh, poor Amy." All the dots were connected. I had caused quite a scene. They knew 'Amy'.
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Well, all's well that ends well. That's what my Mom always said. I do intend on writing a letter to the management. I will be very gracious in my comments, but I would like them to know the danger, hazards, and inconveniences that come with broken buckles. Also, I think the store and its employees should have some type of protocol for that situation. Something. Am I the only mother who's lost a child in a store?
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Many places are equipped with Code Adam. When Code Adam is called, the exits seal off. At least then you know that the child is somewhere IN the building.
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Anyway....I am soooooo happy that Rocco is o.k. The experience, once again, reminded me of two things. Number 1, I can never be too careful. Number 2, ultimately, I need to rely on and trust in God for the protection of my kids. Do my part? Yes, but I can't control everything all the time. God is faithful and so very good!
I'm 5 for 5 now. I've lost all 5 of my kids in different experiences. Read here for the oldest 3. Read here for Trevor.
Wednesday, Dec. 15th
Monday, Dec. 6
Thursday, Dec. 9
Friday, Dec. 10
Saturday, Dec. 11
Then we spent the evening at home playing games by the fire. A splendid end to terrific holiday weekend. In case of confusion, I will say we were NOT playing strip poker!
