‘There she went, to the bakery, all alone’

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Every month a mother talks about the moment in motherhood when things went completely wrong.

Liesbet (36), married to Kevin (40), mother of Wout (11) and Hebe (8).

“Our children are not shy or shy. We think it is very important that they learn to be independent and above all that they are polite. We therefore regularly send them a message at the local supermarket. As a reward for their tasks, they are sometimes allowed to bring something extra for themselves. A donut, a (breakfast) cake or an ice cream.

Letting go

Hebe, our youngest, was often allowed to go to the bakery around the corner with her big brother and counted down the months until she was finally allowed to go all alone. We had agreed that they had to be seven years old for this. They still have to cross the street and it is a bit loose for us parents.

That first time Hebe was allowed to go out alone to buy sliced ​​wholemeal bread, she felt super-big and proud. Because we were just as proud, we told her that she could also choose something delicious for herself. She had done that before with big brother Wout, so I hadn’t thought about it further. I handed her my payment card and waved her off enthusiastically in the doorway.

Read also – That went wrong: ‘The teacher looked doubtful when my daughter entered the classroom’ >

Something tasty

After about fifteen minutes she came back. She had the bread in the bag and a huge box in her hands. As it turned out, she had selected a chocolate cake for eight people, at 26 euros. After all, I had told her she could choose something delicious and this cake just looked delicious.

The baker was not surprised. They know us. When we have visitors or a birthday, I usually order cakes in advance, but it has also happened that I go to get something last minute when an unexpected visitor arrives. They probably thought Hebe was coming to pick up a rush order. My husband and I had a good laugh about it, but are now always very clear about what they can or cannot choose.”

This article appears in Kek Mama 11-2022.

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