A trip to the grocery store with kids is a mission of negotiation and distraction. Parents often buy snacks to keep the peace. However, there is a second, secret category of snacks: the ones the parents buy for themselves. These are the “forbidden” treats. They are almost always eaten in the car in the parking lot. This is a quiet, five-minute moment of peace. It is the only way to enjoy a snack without having to share it with the back seat.
1. The “Good” Chocolate Bar
You are not buying the simple, milk chocolate Hershey’s bar for this. This is the expensive, 70% dark chocolate bar with sea salt or almonds. It is your personal, “adult-only” treat. You eat it in the car because you do not want to share it. You also do not want to hear your kids complain about how “bitter” it is.
2. The Expensive Pint of Ice Cream
Most parents normally buy the kids the giant, cheap tub of vanilla ice cream. For themselves, a single, expensive pint of a premium brand like Ben & Jerry’s will do. Some parents eat a few “stress-free” spoonfuls in the car, as it’s the only way to ensure that you actually get some before the kids find it in the freezer.
3. The “Fancy” Bag of Chips
Your kids get the giant, plain, store-brand bag of potato chips. You, however, have bought a small, expensive bag of kettle-cooked chips. They are flavors like “Spicy Jalapeño” or “Truffle Oil.” These have a flavor that is too “fancy” or “spicy” for the kids. This is your personal bag. You eat it in the car to hide the evidence.
4. A Fresh Suhi Roll from the Deli
You know that your kids will not touch raw fish. A fresh, pre-made sushi roll from the deli is the perfect, secret snack for a parent. It is a quick, healthy, and delicious lunch. You can eat it in peace in the parking lot before you even start the drive home.
5. A Single, Expensive Pastry
You would never let your children eat a 600-calorie eclair or a cream-filled cannoli as an afternoon snack. That is, however, exactly what you are doing. You buy a single, expensive pastry from the bakery. You tell the kids that it is a “present for later.” It is not. You eat it in the car to hide your hypocrisy.
6. A “Forbidden” Caffeinated Drink
You might be trying to cut back on your kids’ sugar intake. This means you do not keep soda in the house. The parking lot is your chance to have that “forbidden” Dr. Pepper or a full-sugar Coca-Cola. It can also be a quiet, cold-brew coffee. This is your fuel to get you through the rest of the afternoon.
7. The “Good” Beef Jerky
You may have bought the kids the cheap, soft “Slim Jim” style jerky sticks. You, however, have bought the expensive, artisanal, grass-fed beef jerky for yourself. This one has a complex, peppery flavor. It is a high-protein snack that you have no intention of sharing.
8. The Leftovers of a Rotisserie Chicken
You have bought a hot, fresh rotisserie chicken for dinner. You know that as soon as you get home, your family will descend on it like a pack of wolves. The parking lot is your only chance to eat the best part of the chicken. You can pull off that small, secret “oyster” piece from the back. You eat it while it is still hot and the skin is still crispy.
The Parents’ Private Pantry
The life of a parent is a life of constant sharing and of sacrifice. The five-minute “car picnic” in the grocery store parking lot is a small but important act of self-care. It is a quiet, stolen moment of peace. A simple way to enjoy a single, delicious treat without having to hear the word “share.” In all, it is a modern and very necessary parenting ritual.
Are you a parent? What is your secret, “hide-in-the-car” snack? Let us know in the comments!
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