Parenting
I Apologize for My Large Family Being a Burden
by Jamie Taylor
Updated: June 18, 2018
Originally Published: September 16, 2014
When you have four energetic boys all under the age of six, finding ways for them to expend their energy becomes essential. We discovered the perfect chance to do just that and signed up for our first family 5K. Participants of all ages were encouraged to join, and the theme was dressing as superheroes to combat cancer. My boys, naturally, opted for their favorite—ninja turtles! Everyone received shiny red capes, the weather was stunning, and the boys adored the cheers from the runners passing us on their way to the finish line. It was nearly a perfect day.
However, it seems that every outing serves as a reminder of how disruptive my large family can be to the public. Let me elaborate. As we approached the finish line, we heard someone shout, “Thanks for taking up the whole lane! Much appreciated!” We turned around, curious, as we were not blocking the lane at all. I was walking on the far right with the baby, while my husband was a few feet ahead, pulling two boys in a wagon, and one boy was riding his bike a short distance in front of us. There was still ample space to our left; we were really only occupying “two-wide.”
When we turned, we noticed this guy was quite a ways back, yet he repeated his remark, clearly aimed at us. We thought he might be joking. My husband asked, “Are we in your way?” as the guy sped past us on the left. “Yeah, thanks a lot,” he retorted. I shouted after him, “This is a children’s walk for cancer!” but he ignored me and finished a few yards ahead. (My husband approached him afterward to express his frustration, but the guy dismissed us and walked away, further irritating us.) We spent the entire ride home replaying the incident in our minds.
This isn’t an isolated occurrence. There was the time a man on his phone scolded us for taking too long to pick out canned crab while navigating our cart full of children. Or the time I was berated for taking a moment to strap all four kids into their car seats by a man impatiently waiting for my parking spot. I’ve come to recognize how threatening our family seems to the public at large. So, I feel it’s necessary to extend an apology.
I apologize for not considering your needs, dear stranger, when planning my family.
I regret that your convenience wasn’t my top priority.
I’m sorry that my commitment to car safety doesn’t enhance your parking experience.
I’m sorry that the oversized carts at Walmart resemble Zambonis, encroaching on your precious aisle space.
And to that dedicated runner, I genuinely apologize if my audacity to bring my children to a family 5K added extra seconds to your impressive 59-minute finish time. Shame on me!
Clearly, I have much to learn. If you want to keep my lively crew away from your streets and grocery stores, consider signing the petition at www.gokickrocks.com.
Thank you. With your support, we can ensure large, joyful families stay at home where they belong. Then, we can focus our efforts on helping the elderly and disabled.
In the meantime, if you’re curious about starting your own family, check out our article on the BabyMaker home intracervical insemination syringe kit combo, or explore ways to boost your fertility with great supplements. Also, the CDC provides excellent resources on pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary
Navigating life with a large family can lead to unexpected encounters, as illustrated by one mother’s experience during a 5K event. Despite the joy of family activities, the challenges of public perception and impatience can take a toll. An apology is extended to those who feel inconvenienced by larger families, emphasizing the importance of understanding and patience in shared spaces.
Keyphrase
large family inconveniences
Tags
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