A bit of advice

Advice:  When your son's baseball coach says every player must have an athletic cup, it's a good idea to send your husband to purchase one.

Advice:  If you run out of time to send your husband to purchase the aforementioned male accessory, don't shop for one at a small, local sporting goods store where all the workers are, 1) male, 2) friendly and helpful, 3) waiting to ask if you need help finding anything.

Advice:  If you only have time to visit the closest store where the workers are male, helpful, and friendly, try to sneak through the store by blending into the equipment and avoiding eye contact so said male workers will not talk to you.

Advice:  Don't bring your 4-year-old daughter with you.

Advice:  When you find what you're looking for, don't look confused, even though you are, because it might alert the male workers to ask if you need help.

Advice:  Don't take too long trying to figure out what size to buy or else your 4-year-old daughter might grab a cup from the shelf and ambush you with questions like, "What are these for, Mom?  Are they for your ears?"  

Advice:  If your daughter holds up the cup to her ear and asks the above questions, be certain to give her a good answer or a few seconds later she'll ask again, "Oh, they're for your knees!  Are they for your knees, Mom?"

Advice:  Remind yourself you should have had your husband do this.

Advice:  Select the correct size athletic cup and breathe a sigh of relief that you're almost done.  Turn to face the checkout process.

Advice:  Wait.  What's that on the shelf next to the cups?  Straps?  Do I need one of those?  Yes, don't forget the straps.

Advice:  Walk with feigned confidence to the checkout counter where the male, helpful, friendly worker is waiting for you and your purchase.  Would you like that in a bag, ma'am?

Advice:  Act nonchalant.

Advice:  Walk out with new-found confidence and breathe a sigh of relief knowing you just survived a ridiculous experience.

Advice:  Remind yourself to have your husband do it next time.