Would this annoy you?

ans1999

I was shopping for DD's birthday today at Target. I have an 11 month old and a 2 1/2 year old. The 2 year old is NOT trustworthy to walk next to me in stores. He is constantly running off and I am terrified something will happen to him. I put him in the back of the cart and my little one in the front seat. A young man working at Target told me that "You need to have him sit down in that cart. I don't want him falling out." Okay, well, I see his point. *I* don't want him falling out either. It annoyed me because I had been telling him the whole trip to sit down but he is 2. He doesn't listen all that well. The 11 mo old was crying at the time and I was trying to get to the checkout. I guess it annoyed me because my DH is working out of state. We are moving there but I am stuck by myself for the next few months. We don't have family here so I have to do all the shopping by myself. Anyway, I am still steamed. DH thinks I am being a bit irrational about the whole thing.

lazysusan

it would annoy me, but I would have not let it bug me past the shopping experience.  He's a stranger that doesn't know your circumstances.    It sounds like you've got a lot on your plate right now, and your skin is not as thick as it usually is. 

Temp108743750006959

sorry

no, it wouldn't annoy me bc kids have been really injured falling out of carts and the guy was just doing his job

Brewster

Honestly?  No,  I would not be annoyed.  The guy has probably seen some kid topple out and be rushed away to an ER or something.  And your 2.5 yo should be sitting down, at least while you are moving.  I put mine back there.  If he stands, the cart stops.  If it is a continual problem, he is moved to the front part and strapped in.  Standing is not an option. 

oparcm

vccake:

sorry

no, it wouldn't annoy me bc kids have been really injured falling out of carts and the guy was just doing his job

He's probably been told by supervisors to tell ppl with kids doing that kind of thing.  It is hard to not have family and a dh away.  I feel for you but I don't think the guy was out of line but more doing what someone has told him to do.

august0605bride

yes that would annoy me.

 

Have you seen those carts at Target where 2 kids sit facing each other?  They say 2 and up, but I used them since my younger son was 9 mo. 

K&KMOM

Yes, it would annoy me.  Unsolicited advice always annoys me, even if it is correct.

ans1999

I tried to get one of those carts. I usually use one of those or a car cart because it is so much easier. DS is a handful. If I stopped everytime he stood up, I would never be able to get through the store.

ETA: I know he was giving me correct advice. I just found it to be a little condescending.

Brewster

I just reread what I wrote. Totally did not mean to come off preachy.  I was just saying what works for us when I have that situation come up.

ans1999

No problem Brewster. Don't post if you can't take the heat, right?

Temp108743750006959

ans1999:

No problem Brewster. Don't post if you can't take the heat, right?

 

ooh, I like you! either way, I am sorry you are managing it on our own right now. Can someone sit for you at night while the kids are sleeping? I love night shopping!

littlemermaid

I've heard the employees at my local Target say the same thing to customers with kids in that part of the cart too.  It has to do with the stores liability and your child's safety.  Too many kids have fallen out of carts and the stores have probably been sued one too many times so now all employees are trained to warn parents that the child must sit if they are riding in that part of the cart.  The employee wasn't insinuating that you were a bad parent, he was looking out for the safety of your child.

BubblyToes

I know I've said it to customers before, not meaning to be condescending at all. 

ridesbuttons

Nope.  Guy totally doing his job and being concerned for your kid's safety.

I'd be embarrassed, but not annoyed.

JOEBunny

They are required to say that.  It is the guys job to warn you what you are doing is dangerous.  I do it too, but my DD does sit.  I would put the baby in a carrier on my back and have DD sit in the seat buckled if she didn't.  Kids falling out of cars is pretty common and not a pretty head injury. 

I have had them say this to me at Walmart before, only they were not so nice, they said that I must not put DD into the cart part and had to take her out.  

ans1999

They made you take your child out? I just think it is intrusive. I am trying my best to keep my child safe. I wouldn't intentionally endanger him. If it is such a big problem, why don't they invest in the big carts that have two front seats? I love Costco for that reason!

Littlejen22

I think they are trained to say it because Target is the ONLY place that has ever said that to me and my son was just about 2 also.  Next time tell them that as the parent you are a little more concerned with your child's safety than they seem to think they are!  I know they are just doing their job but it is said condesendingly as if you do not know better.

Bellisimo

Yes, that would annoy me.  Especially because I understand fully how hard it is to be manhandling BOTH kids by myself and feeling totally overwhelmed at times.  If I was in the wrong mood I would have let it bother me.  I probably would have felt like popping off on the guy but wouldn't allow myself to even say, "You do what you do and let me do what I do!" in front of the kids...but I'd want to!  I get that they're looking out for the customer's safety, but I'll bet that there was a better way of approaching you about it.  Since I wasn't there and didn't hear him, I can't say for sure.  But, I know that when I'm out with both kids and DS's in the cart I have to stop several times throughout the store to make him sit or sooth DD, and I'm usually sweating bullets halfway through the experience.  I'm sure you were trying to handle them both by yourself, and his reminding you to do what you probably were already trying to get DS to do was just adding insult to injury.    

2JB2004

As someone who has worked at Target, I can tell you that they require the staff to ask the parents to have the child sit down.  We actually had to watch a safety video at orientation that was on this and why it was necessary.  While I do find it annoying to be told from a stranger what i need to do with my kid, i get their point too...they are just trying to cover their butts

 

hopefulmom

If a parent had their child's safety in mind they wouldn't have been standing in the first place whether the cart was moving or not.  I would not ever have been in that position to be annoyed because I have never allowed my child to stand in the cart (I have never even allowed them to sit in that part of the cart) and I've taken two many times to the store at the same time. 

Obviously no parent wants to endanger their child but there are rules for a reason.  The parent who has a kid fall out and get a head injury are probably the first to sue.

BJKL

littlemermaid:

I've heard the employees at my local Target say the same thing to customers with kids in that part of the cart too.  It has to do with the stores liability and your child's safety.  Too many kids have fallen out of carts and the stores have probably been sued one too many times so now all employees are trained to warn parents that the child must sit if they are riding in that part of the cart.  The employee wasn't insinuating that you were a bad parent, he was looking out for the safety of your child.

 This.  You would be amazed at the things Target gets sued for.