There’s is so much about parenthood that is genuinely impossible to grasp until you become a parent yourself.
The mental load, the cost of raising a family, how many times you’ll talk about dinner, the cost, how you can love your kids the most when they’re asleep, and did I mention the cost?
Another thing is just how much judgement you’ll get from strangers in public – especially those sans kids.
Which is why it’s somewhat satisfying to know that a recent rant demanding that we, “Stop making Costco a family trip,” got so much backlash, the kid-free woman had to delete it – and apologize to parents everywhere.
“Stop making Costco a family trip”
It all began when Brightyn (@brightynsletten), a fitness instructor, asked, “Why do we have to go to Costco with the whole family? Why are mom and dad and three frickin’ kids here?”
Text over her rant reads, “Stop making Costco a family trip.”
Brightyn’s points include, “This place is crazy enough” and “I can’t imagine tracking three little kids around there. That seems like my own personal hell.”
In an event that every parent saw coming, Brightyn’s stance attracted so much backlash, she was eventually forced to delete the clip, and post an apology.
“I’m sorry Costco families… I didn’t realize that Costco was such a sacred time for families, and I’m glad that families have their different ways of spending time [together].”
She explained that she had a “bad experience” and didn’t mean that “all families” should be excluded from the store.
Unfortunately for her, the damage was done, and her name will forever be associated with the phrase: “Until you have kids…”
“It’s sort of… the law”
As a former lawyer (not a good one, but still) I immediately think of the legal obligations of parents; to provide, feed, clothe and supervise, their offspring.
It’s our job to do pretty much everything we do when we take our kids to Costco.
My secondary reaction to this discussion is: “I shall take my child to buy 72 rolls of toilet paper whenever TF I want, thanks.”
Or, as one mom in the comments wrote: “I take my children with me everywhere cause I’m like…. Their mom.”
Other extremely valid points from viewers included:
“Are families expected to get a babysitter to go to Costco?”
“As a mother I choose to bring my children even though it’s terrifying they won’t behave, because they have to learn how to act around others. I can’t hide them until they grow up.”
“I’m a single mom so my kids come everywhere with me especially the grocery store and I promise you as much as you’re annoyed so are we! Grocery shopping with kids is hard but we’re parents.”
But my favourite feedback was this: “Costco is for families… what are YOU doing there?”
I guess the young woman has now learned that judgement only feels satisfying if you’re the one serving it.
