We went to Ikea this weekend and Eloise noticed the big play area for the first time and she asked to go play. I wasn't sure if she was old enough, but they don't have an age limit, the only 2 requirements are 37" and potty trained (no pullups or anything).
Well, she meets those requirements so I decided to let her go... or try to go, because I assumed she'd freak out and not want to stay. She went in without a backwards look at me!
After you check your kid in you get a restaurant style pager and one hour of toddler-free time to shop. I kept waiting for the pager to go off but it never did. When our hour was up I went to get her and they had to haul her out of there. No tears at all. Except from me. I keep getting teary at what a big girl she's getting to be.<sniff>
Re: So I dropped E off at IKEA Smaland...