...its cold outside, you are by yourself and you need a shopping cart to put them in? Do you try and park close to the basket return to grab a basket, do your best to carry them in yourself, or leave the car running and run in to get a basket real quick?
I've had this dilemma a few times because hubby is too lazy to go with me or watch the kids and was wondering what other parents do with multiple children. I do my best to park near a basket return and if I can't I drive around until I can, or do my best to carry my children in. My oldest is 2 and youngest is 7 mo. The little one is too big for a car seat so I have to carry her and my 2 yr old walks well but wants to run off if I don't keep a hold of him. What do you do?
2007-02-16 13:40:41 · 17 answers · asked by Koozie 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
I never leave my children in the car, Ive seen people do that and it makes me sick!
2007-02-16 13:47:17 · update #1
Double stroller would be ok but then where would you put the groceries? the basket underneath sure isnt big enough and i cannot leave my kids with my hubby for the main fact he is on call all the time and may have to leave and a babysitter is not an option and i HAVE to go to the store
2007-02-16 14:00:16 · update #2
I had this problem too, usually i ask some near if they are unloading if I could have their cart, or try to park near a cart return, although I have had to shuffle both kids in with me..one in each arm..they were about the same ages as yours..they are about 2 years apart.
I seriously think they need to put parking in at places for moms with infants..someplaces do but others do not..should be a law
2007-02-16 13:48:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
as a mom of three i understand! Here are a few ideas that have worked for me....
I always park near the cart return.... even if it is towards the back of the parking lot! If the store you use has carts that accommodate more than one child... USE THEM! they are more bulky and a bit more difficult to move.. but well worth it!
If you can tell your husband that you NEED his help... and let him watch one if not both children... don't give him an option.
another idea is a Jr. shopping cart... my local grocer has mini carts for the kids to follow mom and dad with.... My kids always loved them. we would put groceries in their cart as well as our own and they felt more involved and were less likely to wonder.
lastly I always use the "hands on deck" rule with my kids. I always have them place one hand on the cart at ALL times.... if they let go they get in serious trouble. This includes thru the parking lot... thru the store the whole nine yards. only exception is when i ask them to get an item off the shelf for me. I started out giving little "rewards" maybe a pack of gum or candy at the checkout....(my kids don't get a lot of sweets so this is a real treat to them!) but as they got older it just became an expected habit for them to follow. Now my oldest is 7 and does very well in the store, and she can be a great help! Hope this helps you out some and good luck!
2007-02-16 14:52:16 · answer #2 · answered by trippinwurmz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a hard one I have twin girls they are 4 now I usually don't have to take them to the store with me but when I do it is a nightmare both of them running off in opposite directions to look at something and the parking lot scares me to death. I always get make sure to park next to one of the basket returns so I don't have to walk to far after putting the kids in the car. As for th 2 year old try to keep him occupied in the store tell him how much it would help you if he would not run and maybe give him something light to carry to help you out kids like to feel important and he will feel like you need his help and eventually begin to cooperate.
2007-02-16 16:33:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know how you feel... I have a 6 week old who goes with me everywhere... And now its cold Its hard to keep her bundled and push a cart outside!!I I park near the cart and then we make out way in.. Do you have a sling or other type of carrier to carry the 7 month old?
Most grocery stores now have carts that you can put two or 3 kids in.. I use those sometimes...
Try making it a game for your two year old.. have him help you.. carry m & ms or something with you and if he stays close and helps put things in the basket he gets one... You can use that as a tool to teach him to stay close... At two he knows not to run away, he just thinks its a game of tag when he does.. change the game to your advantage..
Lastly tell you husband that if he wants to eat, or even more importantly cares about the safety of your kids, he can help out in some way.. I never take all 6 of mine to the store.. I usually take 3 and leave the other 3 at home with my husband....they are all 8 years old and under.... It would be unfair to me and the kids to take all of them..
2007-02-16 13:46:29 · answer #4 · answered by TheyCallMeMom 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
We have a variety of "tricks." 3 year old and 3 month old.
1. We have a "hands" rule for parking lots. Our son has to hold a hand in a parking lot, and its become so second nature to him that he automatically reaches for a hand now.
2. If I have to get him out before the baby, we have a "one hand on the car" rule. He must keep one hand on the car at all times until I can get the baby out and hold his hand.
3. You can park, then wait until someone walks past you to return their cart and just offer to take it for them.
4. Always park next to a cart return, this is also helpful after you come out of the store, you can get both kids buckled in then return the cart right next to your car.
I suggest you try to make it a habit for your child to hold hands, just using an angry voice (and yelling a few times) should get through to a 2 year old.
2007-02-16 14:02:37 · answer #5 · answered by Heather Y 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your husband is around you shouldn't have to deal with the stress of this situation alone. That is not right. Your 2 year old does not have to come with you if his Dad is around! But when you have to have both kids, I use the front pack (a Trekker) or sling for the baby, and my 5 year old is really good at staying close. But really, it's just too darned hard to shop with a toddler, so I hope your husband starts taking the responsibility and takes this stress and weight off your shoulders!
2007-02-16 18:04:52 · answer #6 · answered by kammie42001 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The SLING! Check out www.thebabywearer.com for suggestions for baby carriers that will work for your situation. Slings were a lifesaver (and still are) when my kids were your children's age. I could have the baby in the sling and hold tight to my 2 year old's hand. In a few cases I was even able to carry my 2 year old on one hip with the sling on the other.
2007-02-16 19:13:43 · answer #7 · answered by amom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I feel your pain. My boys are 13 months apart in age, so when they were little, it also was a challenge. I ended up having a shopping buddy help me. There was an older lady that lived nearby, she needed the company, I needed the extra set of eyes. She could wait in the car with the kids while I ran into the post office, gas station, drycleaners, pharmacy. And I would help her pick up the few items she needed from the store and deliver her back home. If you can find someone, she loved it more than I appreciated it! My errands went SO much faster!
2007-02-16 13:59:50 · answer #8 · answered by momof2 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Park as close as you can to store. Carry youngest child and let older one walk, make sure you hold on to him/her. Don't ever leave children unattended in parking lot even for a second. Or get a babysitter.
2007-02-16 13:50:25 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe try putting your little one in a baby sling or something similar and then taking your two-year-old by the hand? I'm expecting twins soon, so I better figure this out fast! ;) However, I'm going to be using a double stroller - would that be helpful for you?
2007-02-16 13:55:27 · answer #10 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋