Parental Guidance

(I have taken my son, who is three, to grab some fabric to fix a T-shirt and a pattern for a Halloween costume.)

Son: *generally being a rowdy three-year-old, touching products and being told to stop*

Cashier: *to me* “He’s the second-worst kid I’ve ever seen who doesn’t listen.”

Me: *laughing, assuming she meant it lightheartedly* “Yeah, I hear it’s the age.”

Cashier: *with a matter of fact attitude* “No offense, but I’m pretty sure it’s just bad parenting.”

Me: *silently and tearfully pays and rushes out of the store*

Cashier: “Have a nice day!”

(I called my husband sobbing and he suggested that I call the store and complain to the manager, who apologized when they heard the story. Our family won’t be returning to that store; we’ll go twice as far for cashiers that aren’t total jerks.)