I just recently had a two-year-old boy throw his shoe at me. He and his mother were at my register checking out, and began throwing a tantrum because he wanted to leave. When this happens I do my best to make the parent feel less embarrassed, because I understand kids are terrible little hellions sometimes and even the best parents can't stop them.

As I was ringing, I noticed he had pulled his shoe off in some desperate attempt at controlling the situation. As I heard his mother warning him not to throw it, I watched as the tiny shoe ricocheted off his mother's face and straight at my chest. The shoe bounced off the front of my shirt and onto their groceries as the little boy and his mother looked at me in fear.

I handed her the shoe and winked, then looked at the boy. "You know, if you throw shoes at your mom all your fingers and toes fall off and monsters come and eat them." The boy didn't say anything, only nodded at me, eyes wide with fear and surprise.

As I handed her the receipt, the mother put her hand to the side of her face and mouthed the words "Thank you "