We Don’t Like to Give the Child Suckers

It seems like a simple enough thing.

I don’t suppose there is really anything wrong with suckers. I find them repulsive, that may be the most of it, other than the sticky mess. What are we to do though when we go into our very nice local grocery store and they carefully guide her to the box of suckers they keep at floor level as a special treat for children? They are so sweet about, it all friendly and talking to her. They are the nicest people.

I can’t exactly say “NO, she may not have a sucker. Stop being nice to my child!”

So she gets a sucker every time.

Today I did say no. The owners weren’t there to get their feelings hurt. I carried her into the store and right past the sucker box despite her protests. We picked up the milk we were there after and headed for the register, where she begged so piteously that I gave in and let her go get a sucker.  She enthusiastically ripped it open and chowed down on it. I paid and we headed out to the car.

Usually she has been working on her sucker the whole time we are in the store, the stick is mostly chewed though and the sucker nearly gone. I take it as we get in the vehicle and toss it into the gutter as I wash her up. (I know, I know littering and all that, seriously it’s one tiny paper stick.) Today as she stood waiting for me to get the door open she crouched down and carefully set her nearly brand new sucker on the pavement then waved bye-bye to it.

My heart nearly broke. I wanted to pick it up and give it back to her. I thought about running back into the store to get her another sucker. In the end I did nothing but vow to just let her get a stupid sucker every time we go in the store, it’s not that big of a deal.

To anyone who doesn’t think their child is watching every single little move they make, be careful they are watching.