Last week I begrudgingly took my oldest (8) and my youngest (1) to the beach to join some friends for an “End of Summer Playdate”. My youngest has become a little (what’s a nice word) put off by all types of sand lately so I wasn’t exactly sure how it would go. I sucked it up, packed the over-sized beach blanket and hoped for the best. Surprisingly, the morning went smoothly and fun was had by all.
Fast forward to yesterday. It was “Come Meet the PTO, Parents and Kids Day” at the beach. Of course we couldn’t miss that. Especially since my son is changing schools. What kind of mom would I be if I didn’t take my 8-year-old to meet and mingle with the kids at his new school before the first day of school?! But what mom in her right mind wants to take three young kids to the beach on her own? uh huh.
I ignored the thought of this “beach day” thinking that it would never come or that I could just wing it and everyone would pleasantly surprise me. And by everyone, I mean my children. I called my mom early yesterday morning,
“Mom, are you working today? …can you take some time off and come to the beach with us?”
She said something that resembled a “no” but I couldn’t quite hear over the laughing coming from the other end of the phone. I asked my husband just one more time (one more time = at least five more times) before he left for work yesterday morning if he could stay home with the little guys or come to the beach with us. The front door slammed so fast it made my eyes water.
Completely out of options, I ended up putting it off as long as I possibly could and then piled the kids in the car. In my attempt to make myself feel better, I set some expectations and loaded the kids up on some important reminders on our car ride there. While seeking some compassion, I reminded my 8-year-old that it’s only mommy today and pleaded with him asked him to please listen well and to remember that safety comes first– for instance, checking in often and definitely alerting mommy before going anywhere. I mustered up my really high voice (cause a high voice means love and butterflies and makes your preschooler actually listen to you, right?) and just short of batting my eyes, I sweetly asked my 3-year-old to listen to mommy and be a good boy. His reply?
“Can we go see trains… the fast trains… the fast BLUE trains?”
Can you say one-track mind? It was at that point that I knew I should have turned back. I might have also whispered sweet nothings (something about being a good boy) into my toddler’s ear but I never admit to willing my children to be on their best behavior. ahem.
Let me see if I can accurately describe our afternoon. The shortened version, of course.
8yo fixated on the water and could hardly contain himself (you’d think he has never seen the ocean before or it’s more likely he was way excited and a tad nervous. Understandable… for the most part).
1yo patiently rested on my hip while the 3yo explored nearby.
I introduced myself to a nearby parent. She then directed me to a mom of another 4th grader and we chatted.
8yo said hello to the other mom and then ran towards the water.
She called her son over to say hi to my son. (oops too late for that).
3yo ran farther away but still within a good range.
8yo ran by me (I think he said hello to the other 9yo boys) and yelled something about putting his shirt in the stroller.
I ran after the 3yo (1yo was surprisingly still on my hip… likely due to the sand aversion).
I looked around… 8yo was nowhere to be found.
The mom (the one I had JUST met) told me that she’d run after my 3yo and watch him. (extremely sweet but slightly embarrassing at the same time).
I started to inwardly panic and then ran towards the stroller, looked towards the restrooms, then back towards the beach…
I saw the other mom literally running after my 3yo child.
A few seconds later, I finally saw my 8yo in the water.
After a few more similar type incidents (and feeling totally overwhelmed and utterly embarrassed) I strapped the two little guys in the stroller and motioned for the 8yo.
I motioned for the 8yo for 5 long minutes.
I ran towards the water, leaving my two children in the stroller, and with a different mom, to get my 8yo.
I then made the 8yo stand with his brothers while I apologized to the parents that got more than they bargained for out of their beach day.
We left the beach.
Then my husband texts me to see how our day at the beach is going and asks me to send him some pictures.
Here’s what went down.
Lucky for me my husband knows I’m a little dramatic but, after we spoke on the phone, he did agree with me that it was a difficult outing.
Validation. Phew.
At least I was smart enough to bring the double stroller.
I’ve been called “maternal” since the day I could hold a baby doll. I’ve become a pregnancy, baby and parenting resource since having my first child almost 10 years ago. This is my blog and where I share my journey through parenthood with you.
Okay, is it too late to rethink this third kid thing?! Yikes…this will be me next year at the beach
May I give you some advice? Don’t go to the beach with three kids without help… or maybe a cage.
Stroller? At the beach? How does that work? With kids and other stuff in it, you can’t possibly wheel it through the sand, can you? OMG. I’m having a panic attack just thinking about your experience.
Our little guy just started crawling so trips to the beach will be very exhausting from this point forward too. I took them both to the pool yesterday, by myself, and was not quite sure what I was thinking!
I’m overly dramatic too but I’m pretty sure the other parents didn’t even think anything other than being amazed – and impressed – that you even attempted to schlep the kids there to meet everyone. Once you spend more time at school functions, everyone will know your kids and help keep an eye on them.
Yes, a stroller at the beach. It’s NOT an all-terrain stroller either… but I have figured out that I can pull it backwards while tipping the front wheels up and it works “okay”.
When our guys were smaller, but crawling, (mostly with #2) we took a pack n play to the beach but there’s NO way #3 will stay (or would have stayed) in one. He wants to do whatever his brothers are doing or run the other direction on purpose
Just recently we have found that we can go to the pool (me with all three) and it’s getting better. BUT there are only specific pools that we go to (gated, shallow entry, with floaties in hand, etc.) I keep trying cause it IS getting better… for the most part. My husband doesn’t want the kids to miss out on experiences like this (well, I don’t either) but when no one is having fun?? It’s the cry now, laugh later experience, for sure.
Thanks, Sondra!
I have the same aversion as the baby…makes our outings just as fun