Parents of large families often say nothing can embarrass them anymore. A mom who posts as @month.of.mae.lm says she believed the same thing, until her two year old proved her wrong in the most public way possible.
@month.of.mae.lm
Six Kids, Fourteen Years, And One Surprise
In her short post, she starts by asking whether anyone would think that after having six kids over the course of 14 years, she would no longer get really embarrassed. Apparently, she says, the answer is no.
She explained that a member of the family, who she says will remain undisclosed, needed a little help with a private matter, and so the household took what she called appropriate action. She kept the details to herself, and we will follow her lead. The result, she says, is that her two year old is now running around asking if anyone needs an enema. She signed off with a cheerful “Have a day.”
The description of her post adds a bit of setting. It says the “poor human” at the grocery store was surprised, and the post carries a Minneapolis hashtag. The toddler’s question, in other words, was apparently delivered in a place full of strangers.
Why Toddlers Say These Things
Anyone who has raised a two year old will understand how this happens. Children around that age are picking up new words at a rapid pace, and they tend to repeat what they hear around the house, often with perfect timing and volume. They do not yet understand that some topics are private, so a word they heard in a family conversation can show up in the cereal aisle. They also love attention from adults, and a surprised face can make a word more fun to say again.
A toddler repeating an adult word is not misbehaving. It is a normal part of learning to talk. Parents of many children know this well, and this mom’s lighthearted tone shows a seasoned perspective.
What To Do When Your Child Says Something Embarrassing
If your toddler announces something awkward in public, a few strategies can help.
Stay calm. Children study your face to decide how to feel. If you laugh nervously or look horrified, they may repeat the line to get the same effect. A relaxed, neutral response, such as “That is a private word,” usually fades faster.
Keep it brief. You do not need to explain in the middle of the store. A quick, kind answer and a change of subject are often enough. If a stranger looks startled, a smile and a short apology work well.
Redirect their attention. Hand your child a snack, ask them to help you find an item, or point out something interesting. Toddlers move on quickly when they have a new focus.
Teach private and public. Over time, you can explain that some things are talked about at home or with family and not with other people. Keep it simple and matter of fact. Using proper, plain words for body topics, rather than whispering or acting ashamed, helps children understand without making it a big deal.
Mind your own conversations. Little ears pick up more than we expect. If you are discussing a family member’s health or a sensitive topic, wait until the kids are out of earshot. This mom chose to keep the details private even online, which is a good example of respecting a family member’s privacy.
Laugh later. The funny part of these moments tends to arrive when the car door closes. Sharing the story with a friend or partner can turn mortification into a family legend.
Making Grocery Trips Easier With Little Ones
A grocery store is a stimulating place for a two year old, and it is where many of these moments happen. A few small habits can lower the chances of a public surprise. Try to shop when your child is rested and fed, since tired toddlers are more likely to act out and shout. Give them a job, such as holding the list, naming colors, or picking one fruit, so their attention has somewhere to go. Keep trips short when you can, and consider shopping at quieter hours so a loud question reaches fewer ears. None of this guarantees a calm outing, but it tilts the odds in your favor, and it gives a busy parent a little more confidence when the cart is full and the kids are talking.
Taking The Embarrassment In Stride
Large family parents often develop a thick skin. After enough trips with a crowd of children, you learn that the stares are usually short, the cashier has likely seen it all, and most shoppers are sympathetic. Many have had their own children say something unexpected. A short joke, such as “Sorry, that was my toddler’s idea,” can lighten the moment for everyone nearby.
It also helps to remember that small embarrassments rarely matter as much as they feel like they do. Years from now, the story of the toddler who offered the grocery store an enema will probably be told at family gatherings and used to tease a grown child with all the love in the world.
The Takeaway
The mom behind this story did what many parents wish they could do, which was to shrug, laugh, and share it. Her two year old will grow out of the habit, the grocery store has surely recovered, and the rest of us got a reminder that parenting is full of moments no manual covers. If your own child ever says something startling in public, take a breath, keep your sense of humor, and remember that you are in very good company.
