When you have four energetic boys all under the age of six, you quickly learn the art of keeping them entertained. That’s how we ended up signing up for our very first family 5K! The event encouraged participants to dress up as superheroes in support of cancer awareness, which was perfect for my boys, who showed up as their favorite heroes—the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! With bright red capes fluttering in the breeze, we were ready to take on the challenge. The weather was beautiful, and the boys were absolutely thrilled by the cheers from the runners who looped back to finish.
The day was almost perfect, but it seems that everywhere we go, my large family is a reminder of the inconvenience we pose to the public. Picture this: as we approached the finish line, we overheard a voice behind us say, “Thanks for taking up the whole lane. I appreciate it!” We turned around, curious because we were clearly not blocking the path. I was on the right side of the lane, carrying the baby, while my husband pulled two boys in a wagon, and the fourth was biking a little ahead. We were definitely not three across!
The guy was quite a distance behind us, yet he repeated his comment, clearly aimed at us. My husband quipped, “You mean we’re in your way?” as the man sped past us on the left. “Yeah, thanks a lot,” he shot back. I couldn’t resist yelling, “This is a family walk for cancer!” but he ignored me and finished ahead of us. My husband approached him later, but he just brushed us off, which left us both feeling annoyed. We spent the ride home rehashing the whole ordeal.
This isn’t the first time we’ve faced this kind of attitude. I recall the time a guy on his phone scolded us for taking too long picking out canned crab while juggling our cart full of kids. Or the impatient fellow who yelled at me for taking my time buckling all four kids into their car seats while he waited for my parking space. Clearly, we are a significant threat to society!
So, here’s my heartfelt apology:
I’m sincerely sorry that I didn’t consider you, a complete stranger, when planning my family.
I apologize that your needs didn’t take precedence over mine.
I regret that my efforts for my children’s safety compromised your parking experience.
I’m sorry that those oversized carts at Walmart are practically like driving a Zamboni down the aisles, blocking your path.
And to that dedicated runner, I genuinely apologize if my audacity to bring my kids to a family 5K delayed your impressive finish time. What was I thinking?
If you’d like to see my family and me confined to our home, you can sign a petition at www.gokickrocks.com. Together, we can ensure that large, happy families stay tucked away where they belong, leaving more room for the elderly and disabled.
This article was originally published on September 16, 2014, and serves as a lighthearted reminder of the challenges we face as parents in public spaces. If you’re interested in more parenting insights, check out our other posts, including this one about terms and conditions for home insemination. And for those curious about at-home options, Cryobaby at-home insemination kit is a fantastic resource. For more on the success rates of procedures, visit WebMD for more info.
In summary, navigating public spaces with a big family can be challenging, and sometimes we unintentionally become a source of frustration for others. But we’re just trying to enjoy life and support good causes along the way!