Shopping with lil G

Is an experience I plan not to repeat in a hurry. Yesterday, after having dropped Big G to the sportscamp, lil G and me waited impatiently at the bus stop. lil G does not get to do bus rides very often and was very excited to sit near the window and go oohing!aahing! at passing sights. And I was smiling and nodding to see things through her eyes.

We were too early for the mall. Most shops were still opening and the staff arranging the display, etc. Because she insisted she had a ride on one of those cars they have at every 15 metres almost and enjoyed it. Good behaviour and co-operation started spiraling downwards from this point. Car ride over, she declared she was hungry and wanted cocklate croissant only, this after breakfasting at home! Since we were really early I decided we could kill some time by grabbing a bite at the bakery downstairs. There was a mini-tantrum to buy one of those plastic balls from a vending machine, which I ignored. Finally me after a full stomach and her croissant wrapped in a tissue for later, ok, mama, we made our way up. Another stop at a princess car and some scolding, diverting, promises for later, this time from me and whew, we were up finally.

And then it was disenchantment time for me. Normally, I am a not very decisive shopper but this time it was easy, I did not like anything at all. Period! Why do they stamp all those micky mouses and princesses and cars etc on children's clothes. Seriously, there ought to be some limits on merchandising.  Plus there was other stuff to keep me distracted - lil G disappearing from my view again and again, she insisting on picking up some HelloKitty knick-knack that no way I would buy for her, forgetting where I had kept the stroller, and one place I really like to pick up stuff from changing their layout completely.

And forget about looking for stuff for me. After I strolled into a couple of stores with a now visible crying lil G who was refused an ice-cream, did not have the zin (energy) to shop. No way was I buying an ice-cream and then finishing it for her, did I ever tell you that a lot of times I never have a choice in what I want to eat. Yes, I do but then I would need to throw away a lot of food too. Well, we did buy a skirt for her and a pair of leggings for Big G. I dared not buy anything for Big G on my own because our views on dressing are polarised and I can do without dead inventory. So we had another car ride, no, she does not forget so easily and caught the bus back home and stayed put. I think I will have to wait for some years to go shopping hand in hand with my daughters. For the moment, I go alone.