S/O Shopping with DC

MamaNikki · May 2010

So, DS has always loved riding in the shopping cart. He's never been one that tries to get out and/or wants to walk in every store.

I'm beginning to think that he's getting to big for it, though. How big is too big to ride in the seat of a shopping cart? We ran into trouble with this last Saturday. They just opened a Buy Buy Baby around here, and we went to check it out. Then seat in the cart said it had a 35lb limit. Umm, DS weighs almost 40 lbs! He wanted to sit there, so we tried, but he looked ridiculous! lol. Like a giant. So he sat in the big part of the cart (where you put all your stuff). Before long, he wanted to walk. Being such a good cart-rider all his life, he doesn't have as much experience in having to stay with us in a store.

If your DC doesn't ride in the cart (or stroller) anymore, how do you get them to stay with you? Make them hold your hand or the cart? Just keep repeating that they need to wait for you, or stay with you, until they get it ("You need to stay by me or you will go back into the cart.")? Do you give them a little freedom to run ahead of you and just make them stay within your sight?

mrshutch · May 2010

Aw, poor guy

Yes, I do a little of "you need to stay with me" and "look where you're walking" so that DD doesn't get run over by other carts. But I also have no problem w/ having her stand on the bottom rack while holding onto the bar (so that my hands are over hers). If that makes sense- she's really just standing getting a ride. She gets a ride so she's happy and I know she's right with me. There's also no option for her to be in the cart b/c the carrier is there.

brittneycc1982 · May 2010

M doesn't sit in it anymore, unless she has a snack to eat. If I have both girls with me then she likes to help me push the cart. She use to touch EVERYTHING, drove me nuts. But she has been really good lately when I tell her, "Madisyn, you better be a good girl!" lol... Wonder how long that will last.

shouldbworkin · May 2010

Our rule is that one hand has to stay on the cart at all times or they get buckled in. I don't care how silly they look, I can't have them running away from me or touching everything in the store. At certain stores, they have carts with two seats for bigger kids and those work well for us. They still like to get out, but the same rule applies and they have had to learn that lesson the hard way at times.

Rose.9.6.03 · May 2010

My girls can still sit in the cart without issue, but many times they prefer to walk. I actually don't like them to hold onto the cart because they tend to get in the way. I let them have a little freedom and issue reminders about staying with me. If they don't listen to me or try to run off, they know they have to sit in the cart. And if they start to fuss about that, then the next step is time out in the bathroom. My girls have be walking independently in the store for about a year and it's really not been a problem. I haven't lost a child yet (knock on wood).

HarrietNJMommy · May 2010

I have 3 kids. DS sits in the front, but he's 17 months. The girls get a choice - either sit in the back of the cart, or walk and hold the cart. Usually they walk (they are 3 and 4).

I do allow them to walk next to the cart, but my girls know if they run too far that they will be put back in the cart or we will leave. Sometimes leaving is not an option for me if I have errands to run.......

neverblushed · May 2010

Like you, I am a fan of the "keep them confined in the cart as long as possible" philosophy. It irks me no end when I see parents trying to keep a toddler who is still young enough to do the "frankenstein walk" corralled in the grocery store or a mall.

My son, like Cole, reached a point where his legs were absurdly long and it was uncomfortable for him to sit in the child seat of a shopping cart sometime before he was ready to walk alongside me and stay with me. Like you, I just put him in the main part of the cart when possible, or made him hold my hand if I needed the full cart for groceries or other stuff.

dnagal · May 2010

It's a mix for us. Depends on the day. It's hard to get DD in the cart seat-her legs are so long that she inevitably bangs her knees getting in, and the more preg I get, the harder it is to lift her high enough.

Some things that have worked well:

-her pushing the cart in front of me-kind of pinned in between me and the cart. (a little awkward)

-her holding the cart while we walk

-Stores with "race car carts" 1/2 cart, 1/2 plastic race car big enough for bigger kids

-stores with "mini carts" for kids--I may buy one of these for us to take everywhere, DD LOVED filling up the cart with our groceries.

Holding hands while I carry a basket.

brightning · May 2010

Now that DD has a mini shopping cart (it's metal and looks totally realistic, just miniature), she usually just pushes that alongside me. Some days, she needs more reminders to stay close, but generally does OK. The alternative is having to sit in the cart, so she'd rather behave. Also, our grocery store has "car" carts where the child sits in front and drives a mini car. That's a hit.

I'm sure it's frowned upon, but on days when DD doesn't want to walk, I will give her a snack in the grocery store. She's perfectly content to sit with a box of raisins and watch the world pass by.

But really, who cares if Cole looks big in the shopping cart? If he's content to sit, then go for it!

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