The Forbidden Aisles

​Have you ever been shopping with little children in a megastore? It’s not a pleasant experience.

When I go with my three little ones, I must figure out a strategy to avoid any aisle displaying toys, candy, lollipops, sugary snacks and many more items ...

 By way of illustration, if there is milk on my shopping list, which is on aisle 12, I must go through the back of the store to avoid aisle 11, which displays chocolate bars and all kinds of candy that would keep any child up all night.

I am not always successful. When I take the wrong turn by mistake and end up in one of the forbidden aisles, the usual question pops up. “Can we buy it?” And then the litany continues …

“No, we can’t, I don’t have money for that toy.”

“But you can use your credit card …”

At that point, rather than engaging in a financial conversation to explain that a credit card is not Aladdin’s magic lamp, I sternly reply, “Enough. We are not going to buy any toys today.”

Do you think it works? Their typical reaction is to sit down in front of the cart so we can’t move. Another typical reaction is the desperate cry that attracts a concerned crowd.

“What’s going on, honey? Is that man your dad? Where is your mom?” Yes … I am their dad.

Thankfully, this summer there is a better option to shop, even if you have children around. Some friends of A Chance In Life have generously donated gift certificates for Zagat rated restaurants, flower bouquets, amazing tickets for the San Francisco Giants and much more.

All the proceedings from this online summer auction will support the girls living at La Repubblica dei Ragazzi in Italy.

So, what are you waiting for? Click here and shop for good!

Thank you for being such a loyal supporter of our initiatives to provide many more chances in life to at-risk children.

Gabriele Delmonaco
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P.S. Don’t tell me you don’t have enough money … you can always use your credit card!