How to deal with crying toddler in stroller or shopping cart

ESD_0707 · March 2011

My DD is usually a smiley, bouncy darling, but recently she has been showing her temper.

When we're out in public at the mall or grocery store, I want her to ride in the stroller/cart, but she really wants to get out and walk. If I tell her no, she will raise her arms and cry.

If I let her out, shopping will take forever, so I'm looking for a way to keep her peacefully inside the stroller.

I've tried snacks, singing, giving her a toy, etc. She just really wants out and has her mind set on that. I want to know if there is a way to teach her to stay in the stroller even if she doesn't want to.

Any success stories or tips?

madhatter2003 · March 2011

This is when I switched to a 'harness'....I may get the side eye from the judgies out there, but as least my kid isn't crying because he wants to walk. I only use it in crowded places, otherwise I just let him walk without it.

amy5162 · March 2011

I usually give him something that he sees on the shelf to play with for a bit just to keep him occupied.

hokies94 · March 2011

DS is similar in that he's generally a happy baby but sometimes he just doesn't want to be in the shopping cart.

It depends on where we are and how much more shopping I have to do. If it's just the grocery store or Target and I only have a few things left to get and I've tried everything else, I just let him cry. I really don't care if I get the side eye from other people. It's the quickest way for me to get done and get out of there. Trying to placate him just prolongs the trip and doesn't really stop him from crying. Letting him out is not an option. He likes to pull everything off of the shelves. I have been the mother in the store with a crying kid, but I really don't care. I need to get groceries and if I'm halfway through I'm not leaving and coming back.

If we're at the mall and he's not happy, I'll let him out and run around the halls for a bit. That seems to buy a few more minutes in the stroller. If he's really not happy I'll leave and come back another time.

12bailey18 · March 2011

amy5162:
I usually give him something that he sees on the shelf to play with for a bit just to keep him occupied.

This is what I do. I give him items I'm buying to play with and look at. If he sees something that catches his eye that I'm not buying I'll give it to him to play with and then put it back or tell the cashier I don't want it. I dread the day this "trick" doesn't work anymore. I also limit my groceries to 30 minutes. If it's the stroller at the mall, I'll let him out for a bit to walk and roam. He's usually fine in there as long as it's moving...LOL.

adam+katie · March 2011

I always have his little snack cup attached to his stroller with some goldfish in it, and I poked a hole in a board book and attached that to the stroller as well with links. That will usually keep him pretty happy, but when he does break down and want to walk when we don't have time, I let him cry. It usually doesn't last very long.

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