would your tots act like this?

Erinmmo

Okay depending on the day my 28 month old wont always get in the shopping cart at the grocery store.  And even when she does, she never knows what cart she wants- the green or the red- its this whole process. 

We live within walking distance from the store so we are there all the time and if she doesnt want to get in the cart I let her walk I should say run around.  Just wondering if and when you let your tot free in the store are they all over the place?  She is really starting to run around from aisle to aisle now and everytime she something with Dora on it or Elmo she is yelling that she wants it and so so so forth.  People sometimes are laughing at her in the meantime I am trying to keep up with her.  She just always seems so excited! 

memali26

Honestly, I don't give DD1 the chance to act like that. If I let DD1 walk in the store, she knows she has to stay with me and hold my hand or the cart. If she runs away, the first time she gets a warning, and the second time it happens she goes in the cart. It's not safe for her to be running around the store like that, potentially going places I can't see her, and it's not fair to other shoppers for her to be running free in the aisles. DD1 can run and get her crazy energy out at home or at the park, but not in a grocery store.

1026pumpkin

My son absolutely hates the cart- 2 things have worked for us to try to get him in there....we go shopping at his snack time and tell him he can have his sippy cup and snack trap if he sits in the cart (he knows he needs to sit when he eats), or we bring a stuffed animal that rides next to him.

If he's really hating it, we let him walk if he helps push the cart or holds a hand....first time he runs off, he gets a warning, second time it happens, we leave.  His impulse is to run around a yank things off the shelves, so if he's walking, he just keep reminding him over and over that those items aren't ours, we don't touch, etc. and we give him little jobs- help us push, help me pick up this container and put it in the cart, etc.

I usually try not to take him shopping because it's such a PITA, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. 

mexicolombiana

Toddlers are crazy little people.  I'm not trying to be snotty, but I don't give my toddler these kinds of choices.  I sit her in the cart and that's it.  No way do I let her run around.  It's dangerous and how would you get any shopping done?  I sit her in the cart and give her a book or toy and that's it.  She might get upset for a little bit but she's very used to it.  If we're out with her and the baby she sometimes gets to sit in the big part of the cart or my husband and I use both carts. 

eb1113

If it's just me doing the shopping, DD1 either must sit in the cart or hold my hand.  I hate trying to run after her because that's all she wants to do!  I try to have something she can draw with or my phone where she can watch her "big girl movies" (vidoes I have taken of her).  Those two things usually keep her occupied while she is in the cart.

She and I went to Target last week and she spent the first half of the trip holding my hand and walking next to the cart and then sitting in the cart drawing.

When DH and I would go shopping together, I'd be with the cart and he would stay with her as she walks/runs around.  

Sonadora

No. If she isn't in the cart, she has to walk beside me. If she tries to run or wander off, she gets put in the cart, if she screams about that, shopping is over.  I would not be allowing my child to run free around a store for many reasons.

Erinmmo

let me just clarify that when I said run free I am right there with- I never let her out of my sight!  I meant let your tot free in the store that they were not in a cart or stroller.

 

1026pumpkin

Erinmmo:

let me just clarify that when I said run free I am right there with- I never let her out of my sight!  I meant let your tot free in the store that they were not in a cart or stroller.

 

Didn't think you meant you let her out of your sight!  I just don't let DS run around even in my sight because he would just get out of hand.  The only time I would let him do this would be in a toy store if we're there to let him pick something out and we're following closely, or in the kids section of Barnes and Noble where there are lego and train tables, etc.

Not judging at all- I think at this age, they have a short attention span and want to explore, so it's like wrangling cats to keep up with them.  We just try to constantly re-enforce that he needs to ride in a cart or stick next to an adult to keep it in check the best we can. 

lite-bright

It depends on 1) how well she's listening and 2) how crowded it is. 

Sometimes my kids are good listeners and stay near without being in the cart. If we're having one of those days, then I'm fine with letting them walk as we shop.

If DD2 is having one of her "I'm going to sprint to the other side of the store giggling" days, then she gets put back in the cart after I chase her down. If you can't be trusted to stay close, you don't get to walk. My five-YO gets it, eventually my 2-YO will, too. 

I tend to judge it by how many people are around, too. If it's a Saturday, everybody rides because there are just too many people/carts and my kids don't always move out of the way fast enough. If it's 11 a.m. on a Tuesday and there are three other people in the entire store, I give them more leeway. It's a learning process. 

memali26

Erinmmo:

let me just clarify that when I said run free I am right there with- I never let her out of my sight!  I meant let your tot free in the store that they were not in a cart or stroller.

 

When you said she was running from aisle to aisle it gave the impression she was running out of your sight. I still don't think it's safe or courteous to allow a child to run free in a store, even if you can see them. If they can walk nicely, great, let them walk. If they're running around like crazy and annoying other shoppers, they loose the privilege of walking.

artmamasays

We also live within walking distance of a grocery store. The store is relatively small and all of the workers know her.

If your little one is like mine, she considers going to get groceries an outing that is as much for her as for you, which is fine as long as you aren't in a rush.

There are things that we do to keep her busy as we go along. She 'helps' me find things. We talk about different kinds of food. We practice colors and counting and find letters in signs.

I say, as long as YOU are up for a kid led adventure and she isn't doing anything dangerous, there is no reason not to let her do what she does. You might want to make a point to avoid the busiest times of day in consideration for other shoppers - and just because it will be easier to move at her pace.

The grocery store is a great place for real life learning!

Mom2Mack1

No, she is not all over the place.  If for some reason she is walking I do constantly have to remind her to stay with me.  If she doesn't stay with me she goes in the cart whether she wants to or not.  Usually, when we go shopping she gets 2 choices, she can sit in the cart seat or in the big part.  Typically she'll sit in the seat, and I'll put DS's carrier in the big part. 

Erinmmo

1026pumpkin:

Erinmmo:

let me just clarify that when I said run free I am right there with- I never let her out of my sight!  I meant let your tot free in the store that they were not in a cart or stroller.

 

Didn't think you meant you let her out of your sight!  I just don't let DS run around even in my sight because he would just get out of hand.  The only time I would let him do this would be in a toy store if we're there to let him pick something out and we're following closely, or in the kids section of Barnes and Noble where there are lego and train tables, etc.

Not judging at all- I think at this age, they have a short attention span and want to explore, so it's like wrangling cats to keep up with them.  We just try to constantly re-enforce that he needs to ride in a cart or stick next to an adult to keep it in check the best we can. 

 Oh thanks- After I read it I could see it coming off that way- so just wanted to clarify it

shaw

We have always followed the same routine.  He walks into the store holding my hand.  If he pulls away, I grab his hand and remind him that he must hold my hand.  Then I don't let him pull away again.  Once we get into the store he goes into the cart.  I do give him snacks along the way.  Sometimes he will ask to get out....but i just tell him he has to stay in the cart.  If he whines, I usually ignore him and keep shopping (quickly).  Then he stops.  I wouldn't let him run around.  My heart would leap if he were in a different aisle than me.  

cchill01

mexicolombiana:

Toddlers are crazy little people.  I'm not trying to be snotty, but I don't give my toddler these kinds of choices.  I sit her in the cart and that's it.  No way do I let her run around.  It's dangerous and how would you get any shopping done?  I sit her in the cart and give her a book or toy and that's it.  She might get upset for a little bit but she's very used to it.  If we're out with her and the baby she sometimes gets to sit in the big part of the cart or my husband and I use both carts. 

This!  Now, that DD is 3, she is allowed out on a trial basis.  If she stays by the cart and doesn't grab anything, she can walk alongside me.  She gets 2 warnings, then she's back in the cart. If the store is really crowded, she has to stay in the cart, period. 

12bailey18

DS just turned 3 last month and only now do I let him out of the cart to walk with me and that's only if it's a short trip. He holds on to the cart in front of me and helps me push. If we're at Wal-Mart and it's not busy I'll let him 'ride' on the back holding on. I'd say before 3 I would not have let him out of the cart. Sorry, kid. You don't get to run freely as you wish. 

chardonnay24

He doesn't get a choice. If he doesn't walk beside me, he gets strapped into the cart. If he screams and throws a fit, the shopping trip is over.

I like to go earlier in the morning and have him help push the cart and put food in the cart. He's a lot better about staying next to me if he has a job to do. 

kcisthebombdotcom

Starting at two we allow the kids to walk if they want to. There are rules though (which they are reminded of prior to getting out of the car) and they're not allowed to run around. Their choice is to either help push the cart/hold onto it or hold my hand. If they run off they lose the privilege to walk and are forced to sit in the cart for the rest of the time. It works really well.