u/KickIndividual470

I feel like this isn’t going to be what most people think it’s about because usually this would be because of kids misbehaving in the store but it’s actually become about the parents. Yes I see kids screaming and throwing fits at work all the time but it’s not what gets me it’s actually the parents who come through who just look absolutely miserable. I have not had a single family or parent come in with their kid/kids and look happy regardless of if their kid is behaving or not. Today I had a mom come in who was holding her what looked like 1 year old son and asked me where the cheese was and before I could answer she followed with “please hurry I don’t want to hold him anymore” and while I was directing her every time the kid tried to giggle at her or touch her to get her attention she didn’t look annoyed she just looked completely devoid of any affectionate feelings towards the kid. I felt so bad for her and the kid because she was genuinely a really nice lady and so are all of the family and parents I mention. They are always super nice to me but as soon as their kid opens their mouth or does really anything they look like they want to cry or shove their face in their palm. I even had a customer say to me after a mom and dad who looked absolutely defeated leave “this is why I’m glad me and my husband never had kids” It’s genuinely heartbreaking seeing all these people deal with this as well as the the kids who will be impacted by stuff like this. This isn’t just at work either I see it everywhere like family’s on walks, at the movies, vacations, and neighbours. They don’t look like they are annoyed or hate their kid they just look like they don’t feel anything towards them and seeing it constantly at work has genuinely scared me out of ever wanting children. I feel really weird and anxious about this simply bc I’m scared of regretting it but it has absolutely broken my heart seeing these poor people and I’m equally scared of becoming that way as well.