How do you feel about TV Carts?

RoxBride · August 2011

DD loves them, and I'll admit I generally use them when I go to the grocery store for a big trip. But for some reason I feel so guilty using them.

I do get lots of questions from other parents and especially grandparents when I use them and most seem to think it is a great idea to save a parent's sanity, but I definitely get the side eye too.

Do you use them?

In case you don't have them in your area- link

https://www.denverpost.com/commented/ci_17397731?source=commented-

charmcitygirl · August 2011

We don't have them here, that I know of. I think its a great thing for people whose kids aren't able to sit for a long shopping trip. Its pretty ingenious!

That being said, Jacob is pretty good in the grocery store. He likes to look around and talk to people. There's a lot to see. And I usually give him a banana to eat throughout the store, so that keeps him occupied too. We have the carts that look like cars, where he can sit in the front, but we don't use them. They seem so cumbersome and the cart space to put food is smaller than the regular cart.

krissyh21 · August 2011

How cool is that! It would definitly save some hassle (and possibly money) to keep your child entertained rather then focused on what they want and can not have.

laura&dan05 · August 2011

We have them at a few stores around here but I've never used one. When I grocery shop I like to interact with my kids(mainly DD since DS usually sleep through it) and use it as a learning experience. I'm by no means anti tv and DD watches more than I like to admit but I do have "rules" about when it's appropriate. I think the exposure to tv everywhere is a bit out of control theses days. We both have built in DVD players in our cars and DD knows the only time we turn them in is if we're going to our cottage or on a long road trip and so she doesn't even ask about it when we're running errands. I'd much rather her talk to me, sing, look at books, or play with a toy when we're in the car for short amounts of time (for my family that is under 1-2 hours). I'm not against the tv carts but don't have a need for one.

firsttogo · August 2011

So, I think that they are unnecessary. We do not have them here, and I would do my best to not use them if we did. I use grocery shopping as a time to interact with my kids talk about what we are doing to develop language, ect. I like facing the baby in the cart, and even with three, grocery shopping is not horrible... fun? not always!

We are not an anti-TV house either, but I do not have one in my van, (we have a portable DVD for Long (4 hour plus) trips, and I would not like one in my shopping cart!

emmyloustu · August 2011

I have never heard of them or seen them until this post!

Honestly, right now, I can't say I would use them. Eliza watches enough tv at home and I don't really want her in the "tv on the go" habit when we can avoid it. Though sometimes it is helpful (long vacation car rides, distraction at long drs appts...) Right now we use errands as a learning experience and talk a lot about what we see, hear, try new foods and I think TV would definitely take away from that. Plus, she LOVES the grocery store - she eats her way through the place! LOL!

This falls into the never say never category for me though, so check back with me when am chasing 2 of them through the store!

howleyshell · August 2011

I would have LOOOVED these when mine were smaller (and we don't generally do much TV at home and are fairly anti TV as a baby sitter).

I've gotta tell you that one of THE hardest things about having 2 small children close in age was trying to juggle them both at the grocery store.

Now? Don't need them and the boys are old enough to behave well, help pick things out and talk about foods, colors, counting, etc.

But back in the day when they were both mobile and running opposite directions?

Hell YES I would have LOVED to use one!!

I think it's smart marketing because people like me dreaded the grocery store and were not leisurely "oh maybe I'll get this too" kinda shoppers when you've got your hands full with 2 of them so young.

desabean · August 2011

I have only been to a satire that has them once and originally thought it was genius. But g was only entertained by it for a few minutes. I think she would prefer to sit up higher in the cart. But I would try it again.

LVBlvd · August 2011

I've never seen them.

I wouldn't use it personally because the grocery store is a HUGE teaching place for us.

"Paige, should we get bananas? Can you say banana? What color is this banana? How many bananas are we getting?" We pretty much do this for every item we buy!

UsedToBeGoldie · August 2011

i have never seen those before- interesting.

I would not want them in my local store... my kids do fine at the grocery store 99% of the time. I like to use the trip as a learning experience- talking about the fruits/veggies, etc. I'm not a fan of putting them in front of MORE tv - they see it too much at home as it is.... hence why I don't use tv's in the car either- unless we are taking a LONG trip - which has only happened like 2x's.

if we had them at my store- my kids would want to use them- and i'd end up having to to avoid huge tantrums i'm sure - so i pray we never get them. I'm a fan of the "truck carts" - and that's all

MyShellyBelly · August 2011

While I think it's a neat idea, I don't think I would use them if we had them in our area. To me, there is just too much TV now a days. I think a little bit of TV is fine, but it seems to be everywhere you go now!

When my DH and I bought our SUV, the only option we left out was the DVD player. We both have fond memories of taking road trips with our families and seeing the sights, singing songs and playing road games (the alphabet game, license plate game, etc.). We want our LO's to have similar experiences and we thougt having a DVD player might hinder that from happening.

It seems that my nieces are constantly glued to the DVD player in their car...even when they go to the store 10 minutes from their home! I feel like their missing out on seeing so much.

My SIL says we'll regret not getting the DVD player and we shall see if she's right. We figure we could always buy a portable player if we change our mind.

Wow, I got way off track there, sorry!

I wouldn't think poorly of anybody who decided to use the TV carts, but I don't think I would.

Ali212 · August 2011

I hadn't ever seen those before so we've never used them. To be honest, I don't think I would. My daughter really likes the grocery store and all the things and people there. She usually wants to use the little child-sized carts (if they have them; some of the stores in our area do) and help me shop. Even if they don't have a cart her sized, she really enjoys helping me and picking things out....though I do have to rein her in sometimes I really enjoy watching her learn and have fun w/o a TV involved.

stepgirl21 · August 2011

We have them at my king soopers and I haven't used it yet just b/c Beau just isn't that interested in TV right now and just wants to be right next to mommy where he can see me etc. However, I would be inclined to use them in the future if I am struggling to get through the store.