2 YR OLD DRIVING ME TO DRINK!!!(long rant)

[WeThree]

Well no not really, more like comfort eating :) This is more of a rant really than asking for advice. I posted once before about Coops constantly running off on me and I'd just like to say that it is still happening - alot! Yesterday at the docotrs he kept running away and there was going to be a wait so i went to the op shop next door to have a browse. I was trying to layby a whole heap of stuff (yes opshops do layby, should of seen all the great stuff i had too!) and he kept running out of the store which is on an extremely busy road. He also kept running into their back office/tea room, change rooms and just basically ensuring that everyone could not wait for us to leave the shop! He then ran outside and up 2 flights of stairs to the lawyers office above the shops. I ran and got him and sorry to anyone who is anti smacking, but he had recieved several on the hand by this stage, all to no avail! He then went and hid behind a rack of clothing and did abig poo,thus stinking out the whole store and forcing me to leave in complete embarressment without sorting out my layby. The fun and games continued at the doctors again before we headed to the supermarket to get a few things. All went well for awhile until he slipped off into the next aisle. I stepped around in to the aisle and he was gone!! not in the next one or the next one. by this time im yelling out for him at the top of my voice looking like a complete dill and these ladies say to me ' oh he ran out of the shop' of course im then hysterical, because if you dont catch him, tough he just keeps on going. I tearfully say to them ' then why didnt someone grab him, hes just a baby' before running dramatically out of the shop. :o I found him playing on one of those cars that you put $2 in. Meanwhile I have left Tilly and all my shopping in the store and once again he has made me look like a bloody idiot! Luckily a lovely old checkout lady was cooing to Matilda and watching my stuff for me. Thats another thing that upsets me about it, its not just his safety that is constantly in jeapordy but tillys. He then proceeded to scream at the top of his lungs' no hand no hand' the rest of the way around the store because i made him hold my hand. I just end up so distressed, tired, sore whenever i have to run any errand that im really starting to dread anything like that. Lucky for him he is extremely cute and can be a real charmer, sweety, comedian and smoocher! Anyway I have decided to invest in one of those harnesses that go around his torso and i will be tyeing it to the pram, so when he climbs out he cant get very far, to bad what people might say my precious baby boys safety is to important. Well thanks for reading this, i feel a bit better getting all that off my chest, and if anyone has any methods for dealing with this sort of thing, id love to hear them!!

[cwsmum]

My 2.5yr old likes to run away from me too, driving me nuts every time we go out...but I don't have another bub to look after yet so I can chase him a little easier. I still strap him into the stroller when we get to the shops, with the straps tight enough to keep him in it, just so we can make it thru the carpark without him getting run over. When he askes to get out and walk, usually within 30mins of arriving, i tell him he has to hold my hand/the stroller and listen to what I ask him to do. He gets one warning then he gets strapped back into the stroller if he tries to run away, usually kicking and screaming like I am hurting him, even tho he rarely gets smacked while we are out.
The other thing I always have with me, and usually use too, is one of those wrist straps, i didn't want to get a harness coz I think they look like you are walking a dog.
Ooh, and a good one that my Mum used on 5 of us, was to tell us that we had to hold her hand and stay with her so Mummy didn't get lost :p Doesn't work on my boy tho...

[mumof2girls]

I'm not a big fan on the harnesses either but I like the wrist straps. Is it possible to leave him with your partner when you go shopping?, this way maybe he will learn that he has to listen when you go out or miss out. Is it possible for your partner to go shopping with you? The thing to be is strict, know it is easier said than done but give him a warning then follow through with a consequence. You are right he is not only putting his safety at risk but Tilly's as well do what you need to get the point across to him. Sorry I can't be of much help.

[Supermum]

Man it's nice to hear someone else has the same problem ... sorry - but I do feel your pain!

I have an absconder. In fact, he's made a sport of it. I wouldn't be surprised if in the 2020 Olympics it is named as an official sport. At the Absconding medal presentation ceremony, in the middle of the podium, proudly sporting the Gold Medal will be my son Ben.

He started walking at 10 months ... running shortly thereafter and hasn't really stopped. When he was 15 months I had baby number 2 which proved difficult ... because you've got your hands full in more ways than one.

He's copped smacks on his bottom for his tearaway antics as we live on a busy road ... his bum however doesn't seem to be connected to his brain.

At 2 1/2 he is starting to listen and when issued with a stern STOP - he is starting to listen. Spirited children can be so incredibly demanding ... but the rewards are also incredibly sweet.

See you at the 2020 Olympics ... :p

[Chickadee]

I think you're making a good decision going with a harness or wrist strap. Be prepared for looks or comments from busy bodies, but better that you can be sure Coops is safe beside you. He may switch tactics to full scale tantrums on the floor for awhile, always a treat.

[Tea Lady]

I love those harnesses - so practical. I think they should make them with retractable straps though so you can reel the kid back in or let them go for a bit. :) I hope it helps. If anyone gives you funny looks just think how bad you'd feel if your son got hurt when he ran away. They'd probably be giving you worse looks then too.

L

[Melissa1983]

Mine does that on me too. I have the harness and i got a bad look from an old guy, so i just turned around and said how would you feel if she ran out infront of you in the carpark??? And then he just looked away.. i think if it helps your sanity while you are out go for it. Since Mikayla has been on the harness she walks along holding the pram, but as soon as she is off she runs.

[WeThree]

Thanks Supermum for making me laugh :D im glad im not the only one going through it and im also glad that there are others out there who understand the need for one of those harnesses. Martha, dont worry ive already seen many of those lyeing on the floor screaming tantrums, so a few more wont faze me! :) (dont you just love it.) Seriously though, someone mentioned keeping him strapped into the pram, the problem there is that this does not even slow him down, he's like harry houdini or something, as soon as i stop the pram, or even slow down, to pay for something or talk to someone, he is out of there. I did try a wrist strap once but he was like a little puppy dog that refuses to walk and i couldnt very well drag him around by his arm, not only would i look like a reaaally bad mum, but i would risk dislocating his shoulder or something (hence becoming a really bad mum) he can also now very quickly with his other hand undo the strap from around his wrist. I like the idea of the harness because it supports their bodies better so that if he suddenly runs off unexpectadly, its not going to pull hard on his arm or something, it would also be impossible for him to remove!
Someone else mentioned trying to discipline him? um believe me he gets more than his fair share of disciplining, and im always consistent! like supermum said the bums and their brains musnt be connected or something, another problem with 2 yr olds is that threats of 'if you be naughty you cant do this, or you;ll go to your room when we get home etc' mean absolutely nothing to them, they have no sense of 'in the future' so they are always terribly shocked and upset when you carry through with it because to them its only now that they understand. so yes, being consistent when carrying out threats etc is great, but it doesnt stop them from doing it at the time! (although im hoping eventually he'll catch on!!) thanks everyone :)

[mumof2girls]

Hi coopsntillys mum;

I guess I'm not a big fan of the harness as I have seen people jerk their children around in them and I felt so sorry for the children. But I have never had your problem of my children running away either so I say whatever works for you go for it.

It was funny I was at the shop the other day and this mum had a little boy aged about 3-4 years old and he wanted a chocolate and she said that he could have one but they had to pay for it first, he threw the biggest tandie in the middle of the shop and everyone just stopped and looked at her and made their snide remarks as they do, she duly smacked him and told him he could no longer have it, some of the people said "poor little thing" I walked up and said "good on you, he's your child and you deal with him your way" she said "Thankyou as I'm sick of people making rmarks whether you deal with the tandie or not the still make their remarks, what are you suppose to do?" I said exactly what you just did you gave him a choice and he made it, this was the consequence of his decision - keep it up"

People around us were just staring at us not knowing what to say or look at, I found it quite amusing :D

[WeThree]

hi mumof2 girls, that poor lady, its so true though - your damned if you do and your damned if you dont!

[mumof2girls]

Hi coopsntillys mum;

I agree with you there, and people wonder why a lot of children these days don't do as they are asked because to many people are telling you what you can/can't do with your child. I say go back to the old days when if you did something wrong you were punished. These days you can literally get away with anything, I've heard children say things like " they can't do anything cause we are under 10" not long after that 3 of these boys started a school fire and they didn't get punished as one of the boys fathers were told that if he smacked him and left a bruise then he would be put up on assult charges, so children are learning how to work the system at a very young age

Sorry but I'm all for action = consequence and I must be doing something right as I have 2 great kids that don't give me any trouble :)

[Chickadee]

Sorry but I'm all for action = consequence and I must be doing something right as I have 2 great kids that don't give me any trouble :)

I have to agree. Although I'm sure I haven't hit the worst of dd's tantrums and challenging me yet, I hope I'm strong enough to actually follow through with consequences. It drives me crazy right now - there is a little boy at our gymbaroo class who I know is very sweet, but he will not sit down and insists on running to play with some props, every week. And every week his mum says "if you don't stop that we'll leave", at least 3 times. And she never follows through! So why should he ever sit down and leave them alone?

[Supermum]

Hi there

I'm also all for action = consequence but just like we have to deal with adults in different ways we also have to respect that not all kids are the same. I also have two great kids ... one just happens to be a bit more spirited than most his age. We have had to find alternative ways to deal with him. We are consistent with our discipline and I can count the number of times he's had a tap on his bottom for running away on one hand. Not all kids respond the same way - and we have a tenacious, highly energetic and sensitive boy - that's just his temperament. It's who he is. It's hard having a kid like Ben (bless him) because we are constantly judged and people (other mothers) assume that we let him run rampant and don't set boundaries. We have many friends with children the same age and they don't have to deal with the same issues we do. I think my husband and I do a great job ... all things considered - and I'm eternally grateful that Ben was given to us. It's taught me alot about myself and I have far more patience and tolerance than I ever thought possible.


Sorry but I'm all for action = consequence and I must be doing something right as I have 2 great kids that don't give me any trouble :)

Coopsntilly ... you're welcome for the giggles - but I also understand it's no laughing matter when you are constantly under the microscope. ;) Keep it consistent ... like my friends keep saying to me "You're doing the hard yards now and he'll probably turn out to be a perfect teenager" We can only hope!

[mumof2girls]

Hi supermum;

I hope I didn't offend you as that wasn't my intention. All I was saying is that I believe for actions their is consequences and that is what has worked for my children, I am so lucky that my children didn't do this and as I said before each child is different so whatever works for you then go for it as no-one knows your child like you do. I'm sure you and your hubby make great parents and do what is best for your kids, I think a lot of adults learn a lot about themselves when they become parents :cool:

[boofala]

After reading your rant my mum wishes she had this forum to vent some of her issues at the time of raising us but had a laugh . :D
As for the harness issue if there's any negative comments she suggested you tell them if it's good enough for the royals eg (prince edward and sophie pictured recently in a womans mag )then it's certainly good enough for me!

Goodluck when bailey eventually starts walking we'll have one too. Better safe than sorry. :p

[Supermum]

No offence taken ... I'm sorry if it appeared I got my back up! :D


Hi supermum;

I hope I didn't offend you as that wasn't my intention.

[WeThree]

Supermum, so agree, like your little boy Cooper is not a 'bad' child and he is certainly not an undisciplined one, he just is who he is, he is extremely high spirited and and energetic, he is wickedly cheeky and clever and funny and i can only guess that the instant gratification he gets from running away on mummy is worth the consequence for him :rolleyes: i mean who knows why he still does it time and time and time again :o i was talking to one of the mums on the p&c at thomass school and she said that one time when she was out with her child in a harness someone said 'hes not a dog' i told her she should have said ' your right he is not a dog he is my most precious precious sweet child who i will do anything to protect as i love him more than life itself and if that means putting him in a harness to stop him from constantly almost getting run over, or from getting lost and some disgusting low life taking him away from me than that is what i will do, even if that means having to put up with narrow minded nasty comments from people like you who could never possibly know what it is like to love a child as fiercely as i do otherwise you would never make such a comment to another mum without knowing all the facts!' (or something to that affect!) hey you getting this all down girls? this is good stuff ! lol :)
Since having coopy never again will i judge another mum or child based on what i have briefly seen, yes the people in my local franklins probably groan and try to hide when they see my arrive with him, but that is such a small part of who he is, he is also incredibly sweet and caring and gives the best cuddles ever! he loves to be read to and danced with. and he is such a character, he is always such good value and always has us in fits of laughter (when were not pulling our hair out beause of him!) i would never break his wonderful spirit just so he can sit in a corner quietly and adults can nod approvingly at what a 'good' boy he is. I just wish he wouldnt run away from me all the time!! :)

[Supermum]

Hey Coopsntilly

You sure our sons weren't separated at birth! I've posted on the site somewhere before about the book 'Raising your Spirited Child' ... don't know if you've seen it. It is a great book full of loads of positive ways to deal with the antics that our children deliver to us day in and day out. It helps you get into their clever little heads. They also use alternative terminology - difficult = spirited, stubborn = tenacious, into everything = curious ... a far more positive language to use when referring to our delightful boys. I got alot out of it because in the beginning I used to lament over not having the 'placid' child like our friends do. So in effect I needed to grieve and get over it. My son is who he is and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm with you - the lows can be really low but the highs are pure bliss. There's just no in between with a spirited kid.

What a shame our minds don't tell our mouths what words to respond with when nosy people put their two cents worth in ....

I once had a teacher acquaintance of mine say that Ben was ADHD. I laughed at her, told her she was full of it and said that he wasn't but I could very well be!

Feel free to drop me a line - even if it's just to confirm that you are not the only one!

[WeThree]

I'm with you - the lows can be really low but the highs are pure bliss.
Perfect example of this: this morning i had a lady coming to pick up something that she had bought off me on ebay as she lived locally. the house was tidy, cooper was tidy, and then the phone rang(ominious music needed here :) ) i went to get it, leaving cooper alone in the lounge room(tilly was in bed)watching high 5 and eating some toast and yoghurt. 2 mins into the phone call- if that, the lady arrives. i go out to the hall way to get the door and i am hit by the foulest smell, but one i unfortunately know all to well 'cooper did you do a poo' 'yes' he answered very proudly. apologising to the woman i led her into the lounge room only to be confronted with what appeared to be a bomb site or perhaps a rubbish tip! the cushions of the lounges were scattered across the floor, toast crusts were also all over the floor, his yoghurt container was upended on the carpet and coffee table and there were smear marks on the wall. he had yoghurt all over his face and shirt and toast crusts in his hair. omg i was so embarressed! 'cooper what have you done, look at this mess you have been very naughty!'yes this was the low bit! - now for the high- he shrugged his little shoulders ' me done' and, grabbing each side of my face with his chubby little hands looked at me and said 'sorry mummy me help' and attempted to lift the cushions back up onto the couch 'too hard' he announced before picking up his toast crusts instead. how could i do anything but kiss him, even if he did smell terrible!
My mum says that i was exactly the same and that there is only one word for it - PAYBACK! lol

[sopolicha]

How could something so sweet looking go so bad?

No don't tell me I know, I have a boy a touch older.

How did his hair get so nice and curly if he doesn't eat his crusts?

[WeThree]

lol sopoli, i sometimes wonder the same thing myself! he has the face of one of those little cherub angels, but it is all an elaborate disguise!! people are always saying 'oh he cant be a boy, hes much to pretty' um spend 5 mins with him and you will well and truly know that he is 110% all boy! :)

[sopolicha]

I know, I look at mine asleep with the big long black eyelashes and think you are so not a turd, like I was thinking of calling you not long ago.

Mine is in for a very rude shock in about a fortnight when he gets another sister. Poor bugger stuck between two girls. He will just have to get over it.

[WeThree]

ROFL Sopoli :)

[Maghan]

My theory is, at least if they look nice, then even if they do horrible things, somehow, some people forget, or at least forgive.

I have a 2 and half year old, female absconder. She climbs the 6 foot fence we just put in to keep her and her pal (the dog) in. She'll take the dog for a walk to the neighbour's house, across the road (don't be shocked I know we're bad parents, that's why we put the six foot fence up - didn't stop her).

We're considering electrying the fence, would that be bad?

P.S. A friend of mine and I would ring each other when we were having bad days, sometimes we would decide that it was alright to have one little drink before 3.00 pm!

[WeThree]

ROFL again Maghan!! :) Im glad im not the only one suffering, and no, i dont think 1 (maybe 2?) drinkies before dinner would hurt at all! lol (although i tend to not bother, if i started i would want more!)

[Foxymoron]

:eek: I hear ya Coopsntilly! Both my first two children were runners. I've never actually mixed with other mums at playgroup or fun meet ups.... I'm the 2 km's away chasing kids. My DS has only just started to behave a little better, many a time I have feared for his life. He is Autistic to compound the problem, and people are just so unhelpful. He wandered off in Target once, and they put a description of him over the loudspeaker, to no avail... eventually I found him myself, playing by two staff members :mad: Lucky for them that they're so cute isn't it!

[Maghan]

We not only have the 2 year old habitual absconder, but also some novice and experienced ones. When we went to Sea World we dressed everyone (including us) in the same colour, so if we lost them all we had to do was look for a colour rather than trying to remember what they were wearing, we also wrote our mobile number on their arms with perm. pen! Sometimes I think we should do that in the shops too, it's very enticing for them with all those wiggles/bob the builder etc rides.

We have one autistic one and if she gets lost it's extremely dramatic, no-one can understand a words she's saying because of how upset she is and she rarely makes sense at the best of times anyway. We often wonder how we'd look with every one's arms linked to someone else's with a zip tie, doing the elephant walk through Coles... I think we'd have to have a responsible adult on either end, wouldn't that be a fun time???

[sopolicha]

Poor Maghan, I can see how yourself would be the responsible one on one end but what about the other end, surely you could not be so lucky as to have a responsible and useful husband who would actually go to a shopping centre.

As long as the last one was safely secured you should only need one adult at the front!!

3.00pm is a good time for a little drink as it also happens to coincide with the start of ABC Kids for the afternoon!!!

[Maghan]

Very true, but what would you do with that one idle hand at the end of the line? For sure that hand would be putting stuff in your trolley that is certainly not needed

[Chickadee]

... we also wrote our mobile number on their arms with perm. pen! Sometimes I think we should do that in the shops too, it's very enticing for them with all those wiggles/bob the builder etc rides.

Just in case anyone is interested in an alternative o permanent pen - you can get wrist bands printed up with their name and a contact number, or just a space to write a number in. I got some as part of a package of labels from Stuck on You.

[sopolicha]

I think those Stuck on You things are good but to Maghan's kids I think they just might be a challenge.

[Maghan]

Thanks for the advice MarthaM, for usual kids I'm sure they would be great, but somehow ours would figure out how to get them off their arms and onto someone else's child! We sure don't want anymore!

[ThomasMum]

We took one of our lil nephews with us for NYE fireworks at CQ long ago before Thomas's time and my DH came up with quite brilliant idea - we gave our lil nephew a neck-tag with DH's business card in it...

Just an idea :D

[Ryensmum]

:eek: My daughter is 15mths old and has decided she is old enough to walk on her own while out shopping. If I try to hold her hand she pulls away or she develops "jelly legs" where the legs come out from under her and she falls to the floor and refuses to stand up. After a few attemps at getting her to stand I will pick her up and then I am instantly under attack with biting, scratching, hair pulling and hitting - all of this from a 15mth old who is an angel when we're at home !. At home if she performs it's straight into the cot in the bedroom so just the mention of bed will stop anything from escalating. As we don't smack our child and she is too young to understand reasoning (or bribery !) I'm at a loss as to how to discipline her while out and about. After a particularly embarassing episode yesterday in which I returned home with a rather nasty bite to the arm, I vowed never to shop again !! - and all of this from a quick 2 minute dash into the shop. She is a different child while out in her pram but sometimes it's easier if it's just a quick trip to the shops to leave the pram at home. I would appreciate any advice as I would like to get this under control asap or I may have to invest in full body armour for shopping when she hits the "terrible two's" stage. :confused:

[Chickadee]

If I try to hold her hand she pulls away or she develops "jelly legs" where the legs come out from under her and she falls to the floor and refuses to stand up.

We went through this. I would leave dd laying on the floor, or footpath, or wherever. I'd take a few steps away but stay close enough to keep anyone trampling her, and also so others wouldn't be concerned about a toddler alone. It's very embarrassing to have her laying there yelling, but either she gets herself back up after less than a minute or she has her tantrum and calms enough to be picked up. Although it sometimes takes several repetitions in a row. She's mostly outgrown it now, thank goodness, and most of the time will hold my hand willingly.

[Maghan]

I think walking away from your kids, particularly when they are absconders is unacceptable. All really fast kids need is that 2 m advantage and that could be the difference between them running into the carpark or not.

Having a "cow" at the shopping centre (as we like to call it), drives us nuts too, we don't get them too often now thank goodness.

All you can do is know that all the things - kicking, biting, etc are completely developmentally on track (doesn't that make you feel good). Make sure you set the boundaries, eventually they get it, they really do!

This is a drop in the ocean of life, breathe, close your eyes, scream inside your head, have an Ally McBeal moment and know this will pass... and forget about those people that look at you in the shopping centre, if it wasn't for us having children, no one would pay tax to give them a pension!

[Chickadee]

I think walking away from your kids, particularly when they are absconders is unacceptable. All really fast kids need is that 2 m advantage and that could be the difference between them running into the carpark or not

I agree entirely. To clarify, I was responding to Ryensmum's post.

[WeThree]

Hi Ryens mum, one thing i have learnt it is NEVER easier for a quick dash to the shops to leave the pram at home-NEVER. This turns what would have been a relativley simple expedition into a nightmare, i remember all to well the few times my mum and i have said to each other, 'oh we wont need the pram we'll just be a tic' please dont become another statistic, learn from my mistakes!!! :p

[Maghan]

Coopsntilly, now my turn to ROFL, you obviously are an experienced veteran in this field, everyone take heed to her warnings!!

[DustyPeach]

I had to read this thread in parts because I laughed too loud and had people come into my office to see what I was laughing at. This ended in several ladies reading this thread also. No doubt a few more subscribers now….. I used to hope DD was a boy before we new what her sex was. Of course happy with either and a healthy child. After reading here I am quite happy I have a girl. I herd that the running away like that is primarily a boy antic? We are 19m on the 27th and I am noticing a change in our littn. She has been walking by herself for about a month now. Her confidence is building and she quite often drops our hand(s) to walk on her own. Thoughts on when to introduce a harness? I don’t want my child to be a statistic and would happily give her to some one to take shopping with her walking off on them if they have a problem with the way we raise our baby.

This reminds me of a incident in our local Value Mart. I was food shopping on my own hubby was at work. DD was around the 13m mark. She kept pulling the hair on my arms despite my natural reaction to pull away and say ouch you are hurting mummy. I gave her a little tap on the hand and she bawled her heart out so I had to finish shopping with a screaming child. Thinking back I probably should have gone home. Anyway this old lady comes over and says “that is what you get for hitting her”. I calmly looked at her and said “would you like to shop with her pulling out the hair on your arms”. By this time I had welts where DD had pulled out the hair by the handful. She looked at me horrified and said why did you “let” her do that. My reply “Yes I “let” my daughter pull the hair out on my arms so I could smack her”. Smiled and left her there with her mouth open.

I mean really some people just amaze me daily…..

[flower]

Got to say..they have the cutest harnesses here....they have angel wings on the back or bumble bee colours and wings......so cute!!!
O's mom

[sopolicha]

Only the Japanese would think of something like that.

[Maghan]

Maybe at a market in Byron Bay...

[WeThree]

i dont think how much i dressed it up, he would still be upset about wearing one :) i still havnt got around to buying one, alhtough everytime i go out i kick myself for not going and buying one, im so going to have to though, he is still running away laughing with glee at every opportunity :)

[Chickadee]

Oh go on, put some angel wings on him!! At least you'd get a smile everytime you look at him when he's being a little devil.

[j&k'smum]

DustyPeach, your comeback made me laugh. How cool would that have been to see the look on her face. I hope u don't mind but I think i might use that next time that happens to me lol. :D

[DustyPeach]

J&K's Mum not at all enjoy it works quite well :p ... Any Ideas on when to start using a harness?

[j&k'smum]

No, havn't had the need to invest in one I'm glad to say. It does get hard when the run off. My little one doesn't stick right by my side in the shop but she does go ahead of me. I never take my eyes off of her and am constantly telling her to "stay near mum".( she is only a few meters ahead,) If she does go off too much I then put her in the trolley. I don't care if poeple look at me while she is freaking out because I know why she is in there.
You know the other day actually, I saw someone with toddler in the trolley and they had given them food. I never thought of that?? Feeding them and then running through the isles frantically while they were distracted, doing the shopping.!!! I can see it now.....!! lol
If they can walk then use one I guess. I dont really see them around too often. My step mother gave me one for my first child and I didn't even try it. All the best with it though. :)

[WeThree]

lol martha, it should get a few laughs, this angelic looking child with angel wings attached throwing a massive tantrum in the shops :)

[Supermum]

I don't go shopping with my kids unless I have at least three containers of food and a drink for each of them .... cubes of cheese, crackers and sandwiches. Don't think I'm crowing though - I don't take them very often ... my children and shopping with the public are generally not compatible!


You know the other day actually, I saw someone with toddler in the trolley and they had given them food. I never thought of that?? Feeding them and then running through the isles frantically while they were distracted, doing the shopping.!!! :)

[Chickadee]

I don't go shopping with my kids unless I have at least three containers of food and a drink for each of them .... cubes of cheese, crackers and sandwiches. Me too, from the time DD could sit up in the trolley I had pasta, veg, crackers, cheese, ANYTHING to keep her happy. DD now roots through my purse for crackers, she's so used to a packet being in there. Very embarrassing though to finally find my wallet in the bottom and pull it out to find it's covered and filled with cracker crumbs :rolleyes:

[WeThree]

lol deb and martha, i do this all the time too, we dont leave the house without our little lunchbox of goodies, sandwiches, bananas, crackers, whatever :)

[Maghan]

On the frequent occassions when we are totally disorganised, it's quite handy to grab some crackers off the shelf (and naturally pay for them later) to calm the savage beasts. Don't worry it's not wrong as long as you form the intention to pay for it and do.

[our little treasures]

Oh wow I thought I was the only one. I've a dd who is 19mnths and when we go shopping on wednesday, half the shop gets opened to make her happy. It's like what, you want chocolate? ok here, hmm a biscuit great here you go and this goes on and on and god bless the deli girls they give us 3 pieces of meat I think they felt sorry for me as I always buy 100 grms just for the trip around the shop.
Funny though the register staff always ask me if i was aware that the packets are open? hhhhhmmmmmmmm if I say no do I have to pay????

As for the harness I bought a wrist thing trialed it over the last few days works sometimes and gets full on tanties others, this is when I pick her up and put her in a trolley i hav eto I have a newborn and only own two arms..

[DustyPeach]

I decided over the weekend that now was a good time for the harness. DD made the decision for me. She was with her dad and he decided to put her down between us and whoosh off she went. He was madly chasing her through Big W and she ran right by the harnesses. I walked up grabbed one opened it and handed it to frantic hubby. Who then when oh wow I think I will put it on her NOW. I just laughed as he was the “my daughter is not a dog” person until she bolted on him. Needles to say we had a huge tantie in the middle of Big W. Oh well she is safe now and hubby understands why we need one. :D

[Sarie]

I totally understand. Nathan (2.5) does this too, though he's not as bad as he used to be. But especially when PJ was first born I had a hell of a time.

[WeThree]

although i sympathise with you all, it is so nice to know i am not the only one who goes through this :)