Yesterday the kids and I braved going out for our usual grocery haul for our #largefamily of 8. I try to go out once a week after the kids therapy since we're already out and about killing two birds with one stone. If I'm lucky I break that down to every other week depending on what staples or other things are needed. I love going while school is in session. The store is quiet, the kids get to learn how to shop, budget, find deals, and socialize with various people. Yesterday broke my heart. Seeing so many elderly people who always give such kind words to this #mommaofmany scrambling to find paper products, medication, soups, and other things to seclude themselves away, with such a tight budget. Knowing many have to clench their pennies to make it month to month, to see so many looking for supplies. Calculating what was more important for them to purchase, or even the simple fact of going from store to store trying to find simple toilet paper left my heart aching. It was hard enough finding many supplies for my usual grocery haul, having to make alterations to my own families needs. Needing soup, for the one or two possible days of the month where a kiddo may not feel well, or the rice my family likes to add to so many of our family dinners. Many items seeing such a low stock only taking enough for a meal, or simply deciding to pass up and find something else so others in a higher need could purchase. For I could always come back at a later date when shelves are restocked...hopefully...crossing my fingers. Seeing my kids following along as usual for our shopping trips offering smiles, conversations, and help for so many in this panic. Helping others feel a little more at ease even for a moment. Helping read prices or find products. Knowing the one or two things they asked for on our list for this visit, passed up so others could stock for themselves made me proud. I went in with the intent of in and out as fast as possible. To come out two hours later not quite with the groceries I had planned, which will later lead to another trip, but knowing I may not be doing such a bad job at this parenting thing after all. #groceryhaul #homestead #homeschool
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