We had planned a simple trip to Target for my 8-year-old son Ben, my 9-year-old son Sam, and me. Pick up a Lego gift for a birthday party and head back. No fuss, no muss. In and out, we’ve done this a thousand times.
With the skill and efficiency of a well oiled machine, we headed straight to the Lego aisle and picked out a gift. We were way ahead of schedule. Job well done, so I figured we could browse a little. Seeing as we were only two aisles away from the Star Wars aisle and they are always restocking it with fresh toys, I announced to my boys that I was headed over there. Arriving in the Land of Star Wars, sure enough there were new toys to consider. My son Sam arrived a few seconds later and we briefly discussed Stormtrooper apparel. Then it struck me, where was Ben?
I strolled back to the Lego aisle. No Ben. A lap around the toy section. No Ben. I looked in the adjacent electronic’s department. No Ben. It had been less than a minute or two and fellow shoppers went about their business carefree.
I instructed Sam to stay in the Lego aisle, in case Ben returned there, and I figured I would head toward the front of the store. Perhaps Ben thought we had planned on checking out.
On my way, I had the thoughts that all parents have in such instances, “How could I have been so stupid? Don’t be ridiculous, he’s just fine. Don’t panic, there’s nothing to worry about. Damn society for even making me think such dark thoughts.”
As I approached the front, another shopper at the end of a checkout lane looked at me and said, “Are you the dad?” I flashed a hesitant smile and nodded, not pausing, as I continued to the Customer Service counter. There was my son with an employee, who was preparing to find me among the Lego goodies.
Sure enough, Ben figured we had headed to buy our gift. Simple miscommunication. Excellent store response. Questionable parenting, but fast enough response to save me from any unjustified “Bad Dad” labeling.
On a more quantitative note, it had been at least six years since I had misplaced a child. A pretty good run over the span of three homes and three growing boys. Now my Dad clock has been reset to “0 days, since Misplacing a Child.” Time to redeem myself. Everyone deserves a chance to start a new streak.