By Lucy Dela Rosa of Oh That’s Momsense

Tarjay. The sweet and sophisticated sound of that word rolling off my tongue… It’s like music to my ears.

People make fun of my love for Target. They laugh when I tell them that my 4-year-old has developed the same addiction. Yep. I brought her over to the dark side. My son is only 4 months old, but he’s next.

Just to give you an idea of how bad my daughter’s addiction really is, she once threw an epic tantrum when we drove past Target and I told her we would not be going there that day. “But please, Mom! I want a toy!” I know, my sweet pea. Mommy wishes we could go there, too. But we already went there 3 times this week. About 90% of her toys are from Target, by the way.

When I walk into my favorite store, I suddenly have an intense urge to run to the dollar spot to find random knick-knacks that I don’t need. Being there is like that same giddy school girl feeling you get when you spot your crush walking through the halls.

I don’t know what’s better: The stench of freshly popped popcorn lingering in the air as you walk in through the heavenly glass doors or the wonderful scent of brewed coffee coming from inside the Target Starbucks. I just had my morning coffee, but you know what? I think I have room in my stomach for a Venti Caramel Frappuccino. Yes, barista. Make that extra caramel drizzle, please. Now that Mom’s magical juice has been purchased, let’s go ahead and pick up our beautiful red cart.

Yes, I already have 2 dollar spot magnetic notepads currently on my fridge, but hey, it’s a dollar. So why not buy 2 or 3 more? Or how ’bout a 4th one? You know, for good measure. I mean, come on. It’s summertime. Just look at all the cute summer-themed notepads. Flamingos, whales and popsicles, OH MY! Let’s not forget about the watermelon-shaped notepad. That’s definitely going straight in the cart. I’m going to need this. ‘Cause after all, my Christmas-themed notepad from last year’s dollar spot find is running low.  While I’m at it, let me throw in this cute pack of paper straws. I need these, but I don’t know what I’ll do with them yet.

But wait. Let me just check my Target Cartwheel app first to see if there are any sweet deals. I don’t know about you, but I like purchasing my Up & Up items for 5% off. I also like getting my kids’ clothing for 25% off. As if they need more Cat & Jack clothing… That toddler flower dress is just too cute, though… Oh, my, God Becky, look at that cute little swim suit! Yes, I realize I’m getting sidetracked over here.  I hold up the swim suit for my 4-year-old to see.

“E, do you like this swim suit?”

“Yes,” she says.

Alrighty then. It’s going in the cart. No more questions asked.

Walking slowly to the baby section, I then realize that my baby boy needs more diapers. Five dollar gift card when you buy 3 boxes? Count me in!

Be proud of me for getting off my behind and lugging the kids with me to Target because I just burned 500 calories walking the entire store. Twice. I did this to make sure I didn’t miss a thing. How is it that I walked in with just 3 items on my list but walked out with 15 items? Oh, yeah. I know. It’s called the Target Curse. Almost every mom is plagued with it. Oh, but you don’t have it, you say? Trust me. You’re already infected with it. You just don’t know it yet.

As if Target couldn’t get any better, they went and added self-checkout registers. Perfect for when I purchase only 2 or 3 items. But seriously, when does a Tarjay-aholic ever buy less than 2 or 3 items? It happens, but very rarely.

It can’t get any better than that, right? Oh, but it does, my friend. It sure does…

Say what? They now have a grocery section? Target is now the place I go for Market Pantry eggs, string cheese and Up & Up body wash, all in the same trip. I told you it gets better.

I pull up to the register and check my items one more time for any Cartwheel deals I may have missed.

*Staring at the wine in the checkout line*

What?!  Moscato is on sale?? *Puts 2 bottles in the cart.*

I go to pay for everything with just one swipe of my Target Red Card to save my 5%.  Even after the discount I have managed to spend over 50 bucks. Damn it. Every. Damn. Time!

Target, you are my rock. My lifeline. The reason I stay sane as a mom. I look forward to the times I can sneak out of the house and away from the kids just for an hour or 2 to go and see you secretly once my hubby comes home from work. “Oh, I’m just going to buy a couple things. I’ll be back in a bit,” I tell him. Two hours later, I walk through the front door with 6 full Target bags in hand.

I drop all the bags on the floor and it is then that I look down at my 80 dollar purchase and think to myself, “I wonder if it is now time to attend Target Anonymous? Ah, shit. I forgot the eggs. I guess I gotta go back to Target tomorrow.”

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About the Author

Lucy is the voice behind the blog, Oh That’s Momsense , where she blogs about parenthood, easy recipes, DIY projects and a whole lot of momsense. She can also be found on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.