A Not-So-Simple Trip to the Craft Store

So there I was, screaming baby in one arm and a declined debit card in the other...

This is probably a familiar scene for many mothers, but having that knowledge makes it no less embarrassing. What was supposed to be a simple trip to the craft store, turned into another reminder that, 'life changes when you have a baby', is a very broad, all-encompassing statement.

I arrived in the morning, just when The Caterpillar would go down for her nap. She did, as planned, and we perused every aisle quite thoroughly. During this time, I paid no attention to the clock or the baby sleeping soundly in my cart. No, instead I was dreaming up plans for my Etsy shop. I had visions of colorful head wear, creative pendants and cute clutches, running through my head.

After WAY too long at the cut table, The Caterpillar began to stir. As any mother would, I quickly made my way to the register, jiggling my cart along the way. I filed in line and tried to wait patiently behind a lady who wanted to pay in pennies. She was sure there was more change at the bottom of her purse; if only she could just dig deeper...

I jiggled and jiggled, trying to buy myself the few minutes needed to pay and bolt out the door without causing a scene. Becoming restless behind the penny lady, I nervously watched as The Caterpillar awoke. As I wheeled up to the register and my items were scanned, she smiled a big toothless grin, reassuring me everything would be okay. I whipped out my debit card, door in sight, and then it got ugly. The words "your card has been declined" mingled fiercely with the full-on screams of a hungry baby.

So there I was, screaming baby in one arm and a declined debit card in the other...

How does this happen, you ask? What lessons can we learn from this story?

#1 - When in public with a newborn, watch the clock and your child.

#2 - When the bank sends you a new card, activate it before the old one expires.