What is up with people not watching their LO's in stores????

[Terra]

I don't know what it is but Wal*Mart seems to bring out the pinnacle of parenting skills in people....NOT!

Of course it's an everytime I go thing that I see LO's [and I mean little 3, 4, 5 year olds] running up and down aisles with no parent/adult in site! Which is scary in itself to me. It wouldn't take anytime for them to be swiped up and gone.

Yesterday, another such day! I'm in the coffee aisle [forever since I take so long looking at all the brands deciding which one I want :giggle:]
While I'm there, a family is there as well with 2 LO's walking [about 3 & 4 years] old and a 2 year old in the cart. The 2 year old is holding on and literally hanging out of the cart and all I can think is "I can't watch because she's going to fall over backwards and bust her head up on the hard floor." The parents are up and down the aisle leaving the cart in one place while she does this, not even paying her any attention.

Well they leave the aisle, not even calling for the 2 LO's walking. A few minutes pass and the 2 LO's are still in the aisle with the parents gone, playing and rough housing.
I'm just dumbfounded at this point.

So I'm at the whole coffee bean section and they walk over to where I'm at and proceed to yank down the handles spilling the beans onto the floor and laughing.

I know this is a no no in many people's eyes, but I said "Don't do that please" They did stop immediatly, look at me and say "Oh"....Like really??? I can't make a mess:headscratch:

They finally went looking for their parents. I left as well to go to another ailse and their parents were 3 aisles away [I saw them as I passed]...
Crazy to me!!
But I may be weird too!:giggle2:

Any crazy parenting stories you want to share of what you've seen in stores???:lostit:

[Heather8183]

It's not just Walmart.

I've seen it so many places. And if I knew I wouldn't go to jail for it, I'd like to pick up a kid and take them to another part of the store to teach the parent a lesson. It only takes a few seconds for someone to steal your child.

We were in a store the other night and there was a little girl (looked like 3 yo) in the cart, in the big part. She wanted to get in the part where they're SUPPOSED to sit, but the mom had packed it full of groceries and told her there was no room. And of course the kid fell out ON HER HEAD...ugh. That sound. :yuck: And the mom blamed the kid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Drearina]

Ya know, I love my kid.
I love the kids that we go to playgroup with.
I really dislike everyone else's kids and their parents. Especially in public.

Yesterday Sarah and I had to go have a tire replaced. We were walking through the mall while it was being done. She was walking about a foot ahead of me, not holding my hand, but keeping an eye on me. She stopped in front of a store to dance (she LOVES music!) and I moved her off to the side so she wasn't blocking the doorway. And all of a sudden here comes this HERD of kids running through the mostly empty mall (noon on a Tuesday) and knock her over! I'm looking around for the parents, they're sitting all the way down by the movie theatre, and ENCOURAGING the kids to run back and forth through the length of the mall. :mad:

[Jillybean]

The kids I see running wild around here are usually teenagers, but then again I usually shop late at night so I can go alone. A couple of weeks ago I did see a couple with their 3 small children, I would guess they were 2 yr old boy and 1 yr old boy/girl twins. The kids were very cranky, duh it was midnight, and the dad was threatening to beat the 2 yr old. For the last 10 minutes I was there I could hear them all crying from anywhere in the store. I wanted to go grab them and take them home with me so those poor babies could go to bed.

[BeckyP]

I have worked at walmart for 7 years and have seen this more times then you know. When I was pregnant with my first I was at the front checkouts helping people check out. I normally work on the floor but the front was busy so I went to help. Well I saw a baby about 15 months or just toddle out the front door and was in the vestibule. I saw a bunch of people just walk past him so I went in after him and picked him up and looked all around for his parents with no luck so I took him to the front so we could call for his parents. We called for 15 mins and nobody showed up so we headed to the serves desk to call the police. You have to call after like 10 mins so we waited longer them we were supposed to. Well the mom was waiting in line at the service deck getting ready to page a code adam because she had lost her son. We told her we had been paging but she didn't know her son was missing because she had sent him to the play area with her 2 older brother who were 6 and 9. I just couldn't believe she would leave her BABY with boys that young in a play area. She should have known the boys would have gotten distracted. I don't want to even think about what could have happen to him if I hadn't seen him go out the door.

[Terra]

I have worked at walmart for 7 years and have seen this more times then you know. When I was pregnant with my first I was at the front checkouts helping people check out. I normally work on the floor but the front was busy so I went to help. Well I saw a baby about 15 months or just toddle out the front door and was in the vestibule. I saw a bunch of people just walk past him so I went in after him and picked him up and looked all around for his parents with no luck so I took him to the front so we could call for his parents. We called for 15 mins and nobody showed up so we headed to the serves desk to call the police. You have to call after like 10 mins so we waited longer them we were supposed to. Well the mom was waiting in line at the service deck getting ready to page a code adam because she had lost her son. We told her we had been paging but she didn't know her son was missing because she had sent him to the play area with her 2 older brother who were 6 and 9. I just couldn't believe she would leave her BABY with boys that young in a play area. She should have known the boys would have gotten distracted. I don't want to even think about what could have happen to him if I hadn't seen him go out the door.

:cry: :cry:
Geez....I'm sorry but maybe there SHOULD be a test before people can become parents.
I know it shouldn't shock me that people do this...but it does.

Thank goodness you did get him!!!
I hate to imagine myself what could have been!!

[kannondicarpo]

I've seen it so many places. And if I knew I wouldn't go to jail for it, I'd like to pick up a kid and take them to another part of the store to teach the parent a lesson. It only takes a few seconds for someone to steal your child.

I think I say this EVERY time we are out. :(

[iamawahm]

It is every store. I went to the grocery last week and this woman had 2 kids with her and they were running all over the store and she was yelling from aisles over and they just were nuts, like they had never been out in public before. My LO was looking at them and kept putting his hand over his mouth and going "OH NO" , even a 20 month old knows they were doing something bad!!! LOL

[OneFabMama]

When I am out I have to make myself not pay attention to other kids and parents because there will always be something I don't like that someone else is or isn't doing. Unfortunately, that's just the way it is. Some people don't care. Very sad.

[Terra]

It is every store. I went to the grocery last week and this woman had 2 kids with her and they were running all over the store and she was yelling from aisles over and they just were nuts, like they had never been out in public before. My LO was looking at them and kept putting his hand over his mouth and going "OH NO" , even a 20 month old knows they were doing something bad!!! LOL

:giggle2: My son is just 18 months and he'll just kind of stare at kids if they're acting that! LOL

When I am out I have to make myself not pay attention to other kids and parents because there will always be something I don't like that someone else is or isn't doing. Unfortunately, that's just the way it is. Some people don't care. Very sad.

I'm finding this to be true more and more because if I don't I just worry myself to death about other people's LOs and I have enough stress in my own life!!

[blacktuesdays]

ugh yes i agree!!!!!!!! i have two three year olds and a 10 month old no matter where i go i got the baby in the seat part and the twins in the cart, because kids take off...im the mom you see running around after a running 3 year old almost crying cos i don't wanna loose sight in fear they will get taken (my DD has taken off on me once before it was so scary!)! i am sooooooooo paranoid someone will kidnap one of my kids that i keep them in arms reach at all times whenever we go out

[annanicole]

I don't know I guess I have a different take on it. I think your children should be supervised, but my son and I play peek a boo in stores, so you might see him round a corner before you would see me right away.

But then you had me as a child I would be there with you talking one minute then the next second I was gone, chasing after anything. I think sometimes we judge others too harshly.

to the Original poster, I think it was awesome that you told those kids no, don't do that please. That shows a HUGE responsibility on your part.

And as far as the woman who left her kids with the 9 year old in the play area. My neice is 9 and I would leave my 19 mos son with her and not think twice about it. but she's uber responsible and maybe that moms boys are too. I think kids can get lost very easily.

[Terra]

I don't know I guess I have a different take on it. I think your children should be supervised, but my son and I play peek a boo in stores, so you might see him round a corner before you would see me right away.

But then you had me as a child I would be there with you talking one minute then the next second I was gone, chasing after anything. I think sometimes we judge others too harshly.

to the Original poster, I think it was awesome that you told those kids no, don't do that please. That shows a HUGE responsibility on your part.

And as far as the woman who left her kids with the 9 year old in the play area. My neice is 9 and I would leave my 19 mos son with her and not think twice about it. but she's uber responsible and maybe that moms boys are too. I think kids can get lost very easily.

Thanks mama:goodvibes:

[ericak95]

I see it every where too :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

My moms rule when we grew up was we always had to have 1 hand on the cart at all times. It wasn't until I met DH at 22yrs old and one day while grocery shopping he laughed and said "why do you always hold on to the cart?" :giggle: That has been our rule with our kids, too. The other thing that drive me batty is to let kids open packages (food, toys, ect..) while at the store. I always tell the girls it's not our until we pay for it!

Erica

[ceelynncee]

:giggle2: My son is just 18 months and he'll just kind of stare at kids if they're acting that! LOL



I'm finding this to be true more and more because if I don't I just worry myself to death about other people's LOs and I have enough stress in my own life!!

:roflmbo: My DD used to look at me,like,"Hey,Mom,do something about this!!"

[asianmama]

when i was preggo with my son i went into the baby section at target and there was a 4or 5 year boy playing in his pee.... the mom was no where to be found.......... -- the boy was in the baby shampoo section. in the diaper section there was poop smeared all over the place it was so digusting.... the target workers were trying to clean up the store and as soon as they cleaned one section the boy was messing up another.... the mom came about 20 minutes afterwards and just spanked her kid and didnt even help clean up the mess......:yuck: :yuck:

[frenchie]

I don't know I guess I have a different take on it. I think your children should be supervised, but my son and I play peek a boo in stores, so you might see him round a corner before you would see me right away.

But then you had me as a child I would be there with you talking one minute then the next second I was gone, chasing after anything. I think sometimes we judge others too harshly.

to the Original poster, I think it was awesome that you told those kids no, don't do that please. That shows a HUGE responsibility on your part.

And as far as the woman who left her kids with the 9 year old in the play area. My neice is 9 and I would leave my 19 mos son with her and not think twice about it. but she's uber responsible and maybe that moms boys are too. I think kids can get lost very easily.

I agree!! As I'm reading this thread, I'm thinking to myself, "Am I one of those parents?" My son is 5, and as hard as I try to keep him in oneplace, I just can't. I'm the parent that is CONSTANTLY nagging my kid while I'm shopping. He has a tremendous amount of energy, and he LOVES to explore. If toys are within a couple aisles of where I'm shopping, that's where Kai is at. I call his name every 2 minutes, and he answers back. If we're shopping for clothes, he's hiding in the racks. If we're at the supermarket, he's pilfering all the produce samples :giggle: If we're at the bookstore, he's in the children's section. I make sure to be within earshot/eye sight of him, and I always call his name immedaitely if I can't see him. If we are in a situation where I need to have my eyes on him every moment, then I do what I have to, to keep him near me. Sometimes, I have to threaten him with his life, just to keep him next to me.....just kidding :giggle2: ...but it really does take a lot for me to keep him at my side.

[frenchie]

The other thing that drive me batty is to let kids open packages (food, toys, ect..) while at the store. I always tell the girls it's not our until we pay for it!

Erica

:blush: That's me. There is always an empty single serving snack item or bottle of water coming out of my cart. I always pay.

[OneFabMama]

:blush: That's me. There is always an empty single serving snack item or bottle of water coming out of my cart. I always pay.

I do that too! If opening a bag of raisins is gonna keep my kid quiet for another 10 minutes while I finish...then I'm all about it. It's not like I open it, let her eat half, and put it back on the shelf. I also let her eat bananas and stuff. We always pay. And, no one working in the store has ever given us grief over it. I'm sure they'd rather me shut her up than having a unhappy toddler while I shop.

[susansabrina]

I hate it when parents don't supervise their kids in stores. I used to be a cashier in Walgreens many years ago and people would send their kids to the toy isle while they shopped. The kids were terrible and made awful messes that the parents never helped clean up. I would have to go and put everything back several times a shift. There were days it took my 45 min to get everything picked up. Usually this happened at the end of my shift so I was late getting off and the manager never wanted to pay overtime. I eventually quit because I could not gracefully go and clean up after the little monsters anymore. :yuck:

[LnJmommy]

I have to say unfortunatly that my younger step son is one of the kids that run through the stores. I have done EVERYTHING in my power to get him to quit doing this. Unfortunatly his mother thinks it is acceptable. I have grabbed this kid on numerous occasions from getting hit in parking lots because he shoots off. He is almost 5 and has to wear a leash because he runs off and has nearly been hit. I HATE doing any shopping with this kid in tow. I love love love him to death but he stresses me out and then leads to the other kids either acting out or my 1 yr old acting out. My 1 yr old bailed out of a cart, in the seat area, just last week because I was grabbing at my stepson. I feel like the most inadequate mother out there when I have to go out. Then there is my odss. He is hearing impaired and has a tendancy to wander away. He is really well behaved in stores just wanders. My ods has adhd so well as you can imagine shopping trips are fun.
I do however see what you all are saying. I have seen so many parents that I want to take their kids and love them because of stupid stuff.

[annanicole]

I do that too! If opening a bag of raisins is gonna keep my kid quiet for another 10 minutes while I finish...then I'm all about it. It's not like I open it, let her eat half, and put it back on the shelf. I also let her eat bananas and stuff. We always pay. And, no one working in the store has ever given us grief over it. I'm sure they'd rather me shut her up than having a unhappy toddler while I shop.

oh heck yes, I would much rather give my son something I'm oging to give him anyways and have a peaceful shopping trip then try to shop with a baby yelling MaaaaaMA DONE done done. LOL he's cute but gets done rather quickly.

[Kelolsen-and-Padawan]

I'd have gone and told a manager I found children alone in th ecoffee isle spilling all the beans.

I once got really frustrated in Marshalls when Ethan was very young (like 7 months). I had him in the stroller and a mom was there w/ her baby in the carriage and 2 young kids. The kids were pushing a carriage roughly all over and hit our stroller twice. I was pissed b/c Ethan was at the point where he would hang onto the snack tray and look around. they could have broken his fingers. I finally went to the Mom and told her to control her children or leave and that if they hit my stroller one more time and hurt him I'd be telling the manager to kick themout. She left. I had told the kids after the 2nd time to stay away from us and then I went tot find the mom.

[Terra]

oh heck yes, I would much rather give my son something I'm oging to give him anyways and have a peaceful shopping trip then try to shop with a baby yelling MaaaaaMA DONE done done. LOL he's cute but gets done rather quickly.

This I have done too!:giggle: You just never know when meltdown will occur.
Now I will preface this by saying I usually bring my own container of snacks but there has been a time or two that I have forgotten my own and I've opened up a pack of goldfish or something but I always pay for it!

I don't know what it will be like when my son is older, but from what you ladies are saying at least you are PRO active in trying to do something with the situation and not just letting them run around without paying attention to them at all!

Now even though my DS is only a year and a half there have been a couple of times I have just left my cart of stuff and left. For us personally if he can't behave then he's not going or we are leaving...just us though :giggle: Daddy gets him at home in these events!! LOL..

[ericak95]

We always go to the store prepared. Now that they are a bit older I let them take a book or toy and some times a snack into the store with me. I also let them do a lot of the shopping. They get to put nearly everything (non-breakable) into the cart which keeps everyone focused and busy.

Erica

[rebeccah5]

I see it every where too :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

My moms rule when we grew up was we always had to have 1 hand on the cart at all times. It wasn't until I met DH at 22yrs old and one day while grocery shopping he laughed and said "why do you always hold on to the cart?" :giggle: That has been our rule with our kids, too. The other thing that drive me batty is to let kids open packages (food, toys, ect..) while at the store. I always tell the girls it's not our until we pay for it!

Erica

Ummm..... I open food just about every trip because it keeps DS happy and sitting in the cart. I do still pay for it. Now, if I opened it, fed it to him, and trashed it without paying, I could see the problem there.

[OneFabMama]

We always go to the store prepared. Now that they are a bit older I let them take a book or toy and some times a snack into the store with me. I also let them do a lot of the shopping. They get to put nearly everything (non-breakable) into the cart which keeps everyone focused and busy.

Erica

I always bring a sippy cup, and snacks are always handy in my bag. But, for a 3 year old whatever *I* have on me isn't as good looking as what is in the store. Sometimes she gets to bring a small toy or book as well.

But, I still don't see the harm in having a snack while shopping as long as it gets paid for. :headscratch: I've been known to NEED some caffeine or water or something while shopping especially lately so I open a bottle of water. *shrug*

[rebeccah5]

We always go to the store prepared. Now that they are a bit older I let them take a book or toy and some times a snack into the store with me. I also let them do a lot of the shopping. They get to put nearly everything (non-breakable) into the cart which keeps everyone focused and busy.

Erica
That's a great idea, but in my case, my son gets pretty bored with things as he has a short attention span, and sometimes the only way to keep him entertained is by opening a pack of raisins or fruit snacks or granola bites... personally I don't see the problem with it. And to be quite honest, I guess it doesn't really matter because I can either have a screaming, clawing kid trying to dive out of the cart seat and have people staring it at me for not being able to control my child, or I can open some food and let him snack quietly while sitting still in his seat and have someone like you giving me dirty looks for opening something before paying for it. What does it really matter if I'm going to pay for it anyway?

You know, one thing I've learned from having my son (who I love dearly but who can be a major pain) is that I shouldn't judge another parent for the things their children do because sometimes we just have to do what we can to get by during the tough times. No, I don't think it is right to just turn your children loose in a store (as the OP was referring to anyway) because it is dangerous for your children. But, you know, all those things I used to look down on other parents and other children for doing, I now find happening in my own life. As my cousin used to say, "don't make fun of someone else or it will happen to you." LOL! I don't believe that, exactly, but I do believe that life humbles us.

ETA: Also, I do try to keep my son entertained by letting him down and helping me put stuff in the cart, but honestly most of the time I'm trying to get in and out of the store as quickly as possible and at 2 years old he is in the stage where he takes off running as soon as his feet hit the ground. I have spent a LOT of time in stores lately chasing him down when I could have already paid and packed up the car.

[huntingflower]

Most parents now days should not be breeding. I have seen so many cases of "neglect" imo. My husband will not tolerate it. He will even say something to the kids in front of their parents if they don't say anything.

One case in particular was when we were in the jewlery store picking up my rings from a dip and this family was there with their two kids. One of them (about 5 I would say) took a candy from a jar and dropped the wrapper on the floor. The mom seen it and didn't say anything to the child. My husband seen it and said sternly to the daughter, "you pick that up!" The mom didn't say anything to him but said to her daughter.. ohh yes you pick that up now. *rolls eyes* please... like the other cared.

Another time at a video store there was a child with his dad and the child was zipping around his father and taking his hand and knocking things off the shelf and not picking them up. My husband again said something and the father helped the child pick them back up (and I mean this kid had to have been 7 years old)

Parent's not watching their children are bad yes.. but I also really hate it when they allow their children to do totally disrespectful things. I was amazed at how many compliments I always got when I took my daughter out.. until I realized what others children were like.. MONSTERS!

[sourpatch_babe]

I always bring a sippy cup, and snacks are always handy in my bag. But, for a 3 year old whatever *I* have on me isn't as good looking as what is in the store. Sometimes she gets to bring a small toy or book as well.

But, I still don't see the harm in having a snack while shopping as long as it gets paid for. :headscratch: I've been known to NEED some caffeine or water or something while shopping especially lately so I open a bottle of water. *shrug*


I know exactly what you mean. It doesn't matter if my bag is filled with chocolate air, whatever they have at the store is better. I've reached a compromise with The Kid though. The first place we go to in the supermarket is the produce section where I will grab either a pack of strawberries, blueberries, or cut up fruit cups. I open that up, give it to him and by the time he's done eating I'm finished my shopping. I always have to hand that first to the cashier and return it back to him quickly because even if it's empty, how dare I take his container away:giggle2:

[jackyl08]

I was at Baby Depot last week, which is on the second floor of Burlington Coat Factory. Also on this floor is housewares displayes, like plates and vases, etc. Out of nowhere comes a three year old pushing a cart and nearly takes out the whole display. Where were the parents? Well, five minutes later Dad comes RUNNING from the other side of the store! WTH? This kid practically destroyed the housewares section and Dad was laughing at him.

Then, yesterday I was at Target printing a wedding registry. Here comes 4ish yr old running by me, pusing all the buttons on the computer, including the one I was at. He disappears around the corner and his family starts to leave. I kid you not, they got almost out the door and turn around to start looking for him. He was beating on the instant photo kiosk. >:(

[escapethevillage]

I was at Wal Mart last night, and I was shocked when a Mom took her purse out of the cart, left the cart in the tissue isle, and walked to the next isle to grab a bottle of Dawn. She was gone less than a minute..

But, she left her toddler in the cart... Cuz by all means, take your purse with you. Someone might steal it.

[Grrchurch03]

I totally agree here, I get so angry watching people not paying any attention to their children or just knowingly letting them run amok all over. I notice it at Walmart more than anywhere else I go, but I try to only go for major shopping trips without the kiddos. I know their shortcomings, one of those is patience, so I either only go early in the morning with dd when I dropped ds at preschool or dh will keep them at home so I can go. I don't want to be one of "those" people who cannot control their children. I get alot of compliments on their behavior most of the time, but I know we all have our limits and try not to put them in that position when I can help it.

[Harmony96]

This one time I was at Walmart, and a tiny little girl was climbing OUT of the top seat of the cart, while her parents were way down a different aisle. I caught her and sort of broke her fall, then got the parents' attention.

But I was a cashier there for 3.5 years, and I could fill up the next 3 pages of this thread w/ stories. Not just about parenting (or lack thereof)... but other stuff, too. :giggle:

[5browns]

Ok, those parents WERE nuts, but Walmart does that to people. It turns them into zombies. It's so overwhelming in there that I turn into a puddle of confused blubbering goo. I can see how it might make you forget you have kids. Possibly even make you forget your name and city of origin, and just take up residence in the furniture department till someone comes to rescue you.

[wvgemini]

I hate going to WalMart for many of these reasons. Once, there was a mom doing her shopping with her three boys (teen-ish, 9 and 6 or so ...). The kids had hockey sticks and were batting something down the isles ... canned goods isle, soda isle, chips isle, you get the idea. The mom just kept yelling out "stop that, honey, stop that!" Um, there's a real easy way to get them to quit ... take the *%#$ hockey sticks away!
Another thing that gets me are those friggin heeley things. I had a kid run into me and nearly knock me over (I was 8 months preggo!) in the store. And what did the mom (who saw the WHOLE THING) do? Not a thing!

[wvgemini]

It's so overwhelming in there that I turn into a puddle of confused blubbering goo.
:roflmbo: That's how I felt the first time I went to WalMart after coming back from Iraq ... oooh, shiney!!!

[Terra]

Ok, those parents WERE nuts, but Walmart does that to people. It turns them into zombies. It's so overwhelming in there that I turn into a puddle of confused blubbering goo. I can see how it might make you forget you have kids. Possibly even make you forget your name and city of origin, and just take up residence in the furniture department till someone comes to rescue you.

:giggle2:

[5browns]

:roflmbo: That's how I felt the first time I went to WalMart after coming back from Iraq ... oooh, shiney!!!

I feel that way in every store.:lostit: I actually LIKE stores that only carry one brand/variety of each thing. Makes it easier on me. Then again, I have to drive 2 hours to get to civilization, so I'm not about to spend all day hunting for a particular product. Turns out I usually didn't NEED whatever I forgot to get at the store anyhow. And I have 3 tired kids with me when I go to town, so I tried to avoid the pathetic whining and dragging of feet as much as possible.

[FaeryGnomeHome]

the thing that really gets me is when parents just sorta walk and expect a child to follow. Even little ones around 18months or so. They walk in a store without looking back to be sure the kid is following. They walk through a PARKING LOT like that, not holding the kid's hand, just walking. I"m just like :headscratch: . My kids would be hit by cars or would be 3 miles away before we got down an aisle in a parking lot or store. It just blows my mind!

[I Smile Because Of Them]

I didn't read through all the posts but MAN, there are some people that I could just strangle!! My biggest thing is when I see the parents walking in the street with their LO. Whether it be a parking lot or just s regular sidewalk on a busy street. I've seen it WAY too many times that the child, a small child, talking about just barely walking is running way far ahead from their child, and they're slowing walking behind like they have no worry in the world. Do they NOT know that the kid can just run into the street and be hit just like that. :cry: It makes me sick just thinking about it. I always wanna roll down my window and tell them to grab their child. But I'm a really paranoid person. I can't even turn my back on my kids when I'm anywhere. My DH thinks I'm nuts.

[TNEarthMama]

I see it every where too :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

My moms rule when we grew up was we always had to have 1 hand on the cart at all times. It wasn't until I met DH at 22yrs old and one day while grocery shopping he laughed and said "why do you always hold on to the cart?" :giggle: That has been our rule with our kids, too. The other thing that drive me batty is to let kids open packages (food, toys, ect..) while at the store. I always tell the girls it's not our until we pay for it!

Erica


I do the same thing, One hand on the cart at all times.... I swear, someone could easily just grab your cart and walk off, and some parents would not even notice...

I'm the mom that even has a leash on my son when he is in the cart, if he wants down, he stays on the leash, to walk next to me...

[FaeryGnomeHome]

I have to say unfortunatly that my younger step son is one of the kids that run through the stores. I have done EVERYTHING in my power to get him to quit doing this. Unfortunatly his mother thinks it is acceptable. I have grabbed this kid on numerous occasions from getting hit in parking lots because he shoots off. He is almost 5 and has to wear a leash because he runs off and has nearly been hit. I HATE doing any shopping with this kid in tow. I love love love him to death but he stresses me out and then leads to the other kids either acting out or my 1 yr old acting out. My 1 yr old bailed out of a cart, in the seat area, just last week because I was grabbing at my stepson. I feel like the most inadequate mother out there when I have to go out. Then there is my odss. He is hearing impaired and has a tendancy to wander away. He is really well behaved in stores just wanders. My ods has adhd so well as you can imagine shopping trips are fun.
I do however see what you all are saying. I have seen so many parents that I want to take their kids and love them because of stupid stuff.


okay can I just say something????? My 3 year old is a runner. I TOTALLY sympathize. She always has been. It's just hardwired in them. Sometimes you have to just pick your battles right? Well this thread is about people who DON'T care about their kids. You obviously love your kids and stepkids(and equally, which makes my heart warm nicely by the way!) and try to keep them out of harm's way. You don't belong defending yourself in this thread and admitting to this like it's a dirty little secret. You are a great mom. No one is judging you and I doubt if someone had seen you in a store that we would be talking about you here. You obviously care enough about your kids to run after one and panic when another almost takes a header out of the cart. I know this probably doesn't help much but :thumbsup: and :hugs: on shopping with them. I admit that a few times since Grace was born I have left her strapped into her carseat in the cart when she was super little and run down an aisle after her 3 year old sister. It happens. It's unavoidable. You either leave one to chase the other down or stay with the smaller one and let the bigger one run into traffic or get out of your sight. :hugs:

[rebeccah5]

okay can I just say something????? My 3 year old is a runner. I TOTALLY sympathize. She always has been. It's just hardwired in them. Sometimes you have to just pick your battles right? Well this thread is about people who DON'T care about their kids. You obviously love your kids and stepkids(and equally, which makes my heart warm nicely by the way!) and try to keep them out of harm's way. You don't belong defending yourself in this thread and admitting to this like it's a dirty little secret. You are a great mom. No one is judging you and I doubt if someone had seen you in a store that we would be talking about you here. You obviously care enough about your kids to run after one and panic when another almost takes a header out of the cart. I know this probably doesn't help much but :thumbsup: and :hugs: on shopping with them. I admit that a few times since Grace was born I have left her strapped into her carseat in the cart when she was super little and run down an aisle after her 3 year old sister. It happens. It's unavoidable. You either leave one to chase the other down or stay with the smaller one and let the bigger one run into traffic or get out of your sight. :hugs:

:exactly: And :hugs: to the mama with the ADHD kiddos. That is something I've really learned from being on this board... I used to see misbehaved kids and think their parents were doing a poor job, but it never occurred to me that some of those kids might have a legitimate reason, like ADHD or autism or any of countless conditions, to behave the way they do. Now I just try to sympathize rather than judge because you never know what that family's situation is.

[FaeryGnomeHome]

My moms rule when we grew up was we always had to have 1 hand on the cart at all times. It wasn't until I met DH at 22yrs old and one day while grocery shopping he laughed and said "why do you always hold on to the cart?" :giggle:

:roflmbo: me too!!!!! I do it all the time and I'm 27! I taught my kids that too. And now that there are 3 of them and bathroom stalls are tiny, when I have to pee and can't wait(like pregnancy) I take the toddler and infant in with me and the 7 year old MUST put her foot under the door so I know where she is. That was a mom thing too.:giggle:

[bean3]

I hate going to WalMart for many of these reasons. Once, there was a mom doing her shopping with her three boys (teen-ish, 9 and 6 or so ...). The kids had hockey sticks and were batting something down the isles ... canned goods isle, soda isle, chips isle, you get the idea. The mom just kept yelling out "stop that, honey, stop that!" Um, there's a real easy way to get them to quit ... take the *%#$ hockey sticks away!
Another thing that gets me are those friggin heeley things. I had a kid run into me and nearly knock me over (I was 8 months preggo!) in the store. And what did the mom (who saw the WHOLE THING) do? Not a thing!

We have a system for those skate shoe things...we stand still and stick our hands on our hips, elbows out. Not our fault if a kid runs into us and takes an elbow to the face. They should have more control than that. :thumbsup:

[bean3]

:roflmbo: me too!!!!! I do it all the time and I'm 27! I taught my kids that too. And now that there are 3 of them and bathroom stalls are tiny, when I have to pee and can't wait(like pregnancy) I take the toddler and infant in with me and the 7 year old MUST put her foot under the door so I know where she is. That was a mom thing too.:giggle:

Foot under the door...us too!

[Bukawww]

I'm a bad mom :giggle: My kids are always in my supervision but like for instance: when we are at the lunch meat counter waiting, if there aren't a ton of people around, I let them run bacn adn forth from me to the wall (no one in that path) and I play with them a TON while in the store. We do most of our learning at the grocery store and its not all how many apples and colors.

I also let them open a snack/drink but I also always pay for the empty packaging. I hadn't fed the kids lunch and so I let them each have a banana - I grabbed 2 extra bananas of similar or bigger size and told the lady to weigh them but put them back please.

[Suliah]

Our grocery store now has a "healthy snack" section for just this purpose... They have apples and oranges and bananas in a bin and you just take one and drop a quarter in. It's totally based on honesty, but it's so that families taking their kids shopping can keep the kids happy and the parents don't feel guilty about not buying or paying for the food. I rarely use it, but on my sunday morning shopping trips I will usually buy DS a banana-- he loves them. And for $.25? Who can beat that!

[jadekat]

the thing that really gets me is when parents just sorta walk and expect a child to follow. Even little ones around 18months or so. They walk in a store without looking back to be sure the kid is following. They walk through a PARKING LOT like that, not holding the kid's hand, just walking. I"m just like :headscratch: . My kids would be hit by cars or would be 3 miles away before we got down an aisle in a parking lot or store. It just blows my mind!

This drives me batty. I always make DD hold on to the cart when we are in the parking lot. Or else she rides in the big part. DS is always in the front part strapped in. The only time he is out of the cart is when DH is with us(sometimes). I live in Redneckville and I see lots of the stupid things mentioned already at Walmart all the time. :banghead: I get comments on my kids all the time because they are so well behaved in stores.

[Terra]

okay can I just say something????? My 3 year old is a runner. I TOTALLY sympathize. She always has been. It's just hardwired in them. Sometimes you have to just pick your battles right? Well this thread is about people who DON'T care about their kids. You obviously love your kids and stepkids(and equally, which makes my heart warm nicely by the way!) and try to keep them out of harm's way. You don't belong defending yourself in this thread and admitting to this like it's a dirty little secret. You are a great mom. No one is judging you and I doubt if someone had seen you in a store that we would be talking about you here. You obviously care enough about your kids to run after one and panic when another almost takes a header out of the cart. I know this probably doesn't help much but :thumbsup: and :hugs: on shopping with them. I admit that a few times since Grace was born I have left her strapped into her carseat in the cart when she was super little and run down an aisle after her 3 year old sister. It happens. It's unavoidable. You either leave one to chase the other down or stay with the smaller one and let the bigger one run into traffic or get out of your sight. :hugs:

:yeahthat:
Like I said in an earlier post...you mamas are great because you are pro active and care!!! :) Never beat yourself up!!!!

Our grocery store now has a "healthy snack" section for just this purpose... They have apples and oranges and bananas in a bin and you just take one and drop a quarter in. It's totally based on honesty, but it's so that families taking their kids shopping can keep the kids happy and the parents don't feel guilty about not buying or paying for the food. I rarely use it, but on my sunday morning shopping trips I will usually buy DS a banana-- he loves them. And for $.25? Who can beat that!

Oh man, what a great idea!!!!

[cheeky]

I don't know I guess I have a different take on it. I think your children should be supervised, but my son and I play peek a boo in stores, so you might see him round a corner before you would see me right away.

But then you had me as a child I would be there with you talking one minute then the next second I was gone, chasing after anything. I think sometimes we judge others too harshly.

to the Original poster, I think it was awesome that you told those kids no, don't do that please. That shows a HUGE responsibility on your part.

And as far as the woman who left her kids with the 9 year old in the play area. My neice is 9 and I would leave my 19 mos son with her and not think twice about it. but she's uber responsible and maybe that moms boys are too. I think kids can get lost very easily.
yeah i totally agree. i used to be like "ugh, oh my god watch your kids!" when i was younger, even after i had kids, until they became of walking age, lol. now i understand more that sometimes they just take off. i remember when i was little, i was actually a really well behaved kid, but who couldn't resist hiding in the clothing racks so mom couldn't find you? lol.
or when i used to work at a restaurant and think "how can parents let their kids make such a mess?" when cleaning up crackers on the floor and spilled drinks. before i had kids i thought that parents shouldn't go out to dinner if their children weren't quiet the entire time. now don't get me wrong, i rarely go out to eat (i'd like to wait until they get a little older, lol) now but sometimes you just end up there at a bad time. one's tired, or is too hungry and grumpy, etc. so while i hate to leave the place with spaghetti on the floor, it's either go now or stick around with grumpy kids.


i also think it's okay for someone to tell my kid no if we're at the store and she's doing something she shouldn't. in fact i'd appreciate it (as long as it was respectfully) because it's likely i've told her the same thing and she didn't listen. normally my 3 year old is pretty good, it's my toddler who wants to get out of the cart and tries to stand up and so on. if i could i wouldn't bring them to the store very much with me because it's so much easier to go on my own, but at this point i don't have much of a choice. my husband's not here and i don't know anyone within close enough range to watch them while i get groceries. so sometimes it's not even the kids but me just feeling tired as it is without many breaks, then the kids testing me sometimes.
luckily, they've been behaving better i've found if i keep snacks on hand they are great at the store =)

[kattayanna_mom]

My question is why is it always Wal-mart that gets bashed when someone is doing something stupid?
I mean do only neglectful,ignorant parents shop at Wal-mart?
Because if that's all that shops there then I'm shopping in the wrong place.

[Terra]

My question is why is it always Wal-mart that gets bashed when someone is doing something stupid?
I mean do only neglectful,ignorant parents shop at Wal-mart?
Because if that's all that shops there then I'm shopping in the wrong place.

Well where I'm at that's there are only a few options. Target is over 30 minutes away, so I'm sure it happens elsewhere I just do 90% of my shopping at Walmart.
We do have Publix and Winn Dixie. I will say though [and this is not every case and everyone just my experience only :)]
I have not encountered this at Publix. I've only shopped at Winn Dixie once and that was in and out so I can't say anything there.

In Publix [at least the one in our town, the employees are very proactive and stop kiddos in their tracks if they are alone and running around. The parents are quickly found. Again just what I've encountered while there. I'm very sure there are cases at other stores that the same thing happens...
Soooooooo it's just where I happen to be [Walmart] and I see more of it there.]

[Terra]

yeah i totally agree. i used to be like "ugh, oh my god watch your kids!" when i was younger, even after i had kids, until they became of walking age, lol. now i understand more that sometimes they just take off. i remember when i was little, i was actually a really well behaved kid, but who couldn't resist hiding in the clothing racks so mom couldn't find you? lol.
or when i used to work at a restaurant and think "how can parents let their kids make such a mess?" when cleaning up crackers on the floor and spilled drinks. before i had kids i thought that parents shouldn't go out to dinner if their children weren't quiet the entire time. now don't get me wrong, i rarely go out to eat (i'd like to wait until they get a little older, lol) now but sometimes you just end up there at a bad time. one's tired, or is too hungry and grumpy, etc. so while i hate to leave the place with spaghetti on the floor, it's either go now or stick around with grumpy kids.


i also think it's okay for someone to tell my kid no if we're at the store and she's doing something she shouldn't. in fact i'd appreciate it (as long as it was respectfully) because it's likely i've told her the same thing and she didn't listen. normally my 3 year old is pretty good, it's my toddler who wants to get out of the cart and tries to stand up and so on. if i could i wouldn't bring them to the store very much with me because it's so much easier to go on my own, but at this point i don't have much of a choice. my husband's not here and i don't know anyone within close enough range to watch them while i get groceries. so sometimes it's not even the kids but me just feeling tired as it is without many breaks, then the kids testing me sometimes.
luckily, they've been behaving better i've found if i keep snacks on hand they are great at the store =)

Oh yeah, we are the ones that are messy so I'm with you on that! Although that never did bother me pre-motherhood. But that's probably because I nannied for a few years and babysat as well for a good number of years before having my own so I was somewhat used to it :)

[aboutachild]

So earlier today me and my 3 were at the mall to have lunch with my mom (she works at Penneys) and when we came back into Penneys from the mall entrance I saw this little boy, probably 18 months maybe, laying down in the middle of the aisle throwing a fit. Where was the mother? She was at the checkout like 20 feet away! I yelled excuse me like 4 times and my mom said don't bother the lady has been here all day and hasn't watched that kid once.

I just can't believe some people. I mean I'm not mother of the year or anything but if my kids don't mind they get disciplined for it.

[JediMom]

Let me just say I WORK very HARD to make sure my son is NOT one of those children. I am constantly trying to keep him in line and most of the time, he does very well. I CANT STAND people who do that.

Once at Target these little Mexican children where running up and down the aisle, screaming and the girl fell and it looked like she busted her nose. She was bleeding profusely and the mom came over and was trying to use the girl's coat to stop the bleeding. I gave her my pack of kleenex (she didn't speak English - mumbled a thanks in spanish) and wanted to tell her NOT to let the child hold her head back (choke on blood, etc) and to hold it forward, but it was no use. She couldn't even understand me. I also wanted to say SEE THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LET YOU CHILDREN RUN AROUND LIKE WILD BANSHEES!

When wild children get in my way at the store, I am very LOUD when I say "EXCUSE ME!" trying to get around them. That way, they know and the parent knows I am thoroughly annoyed by them!

[cheeky]

My question is why is it always Wal-mart that gets bashed when someone is doing something stupid?
I mean do only neglectful,ignorant parents shop at Wal-mart?
Because if that's all that shops there then I'm shopping in the wrong place.
i've always found walmart to be very chaotic. not only are there just tons of stuff on the shelves, floor, in between aisles and boxes that need to be stocked, almost all the different locations i've been to have different layouts, more often than not only a small amount of checkstands are open, plus if it's a military town it's going to be crazy on payday, etc. i think it's a snowball effect or something, lol. i try to avoid going there. the whole shopping experience is much more pleasant to me at other stores.
i don't know maybe they should study feng shui more, lol.

[kattayanna_mom]

i've always found walmart to be very chaotic. not only are there just tons of stuff on the shelves, floor, in between aisles and boxes that need to be stocked, almost all the different locations i've been to have different layouts, more often than not only a small amount of checkstands are open,plus if it's a military town it's going to be crazy on payday, etc. i think it's a snowball effect or something, lol. i think it's a snowball effect or something, lol. i try to avoid going there. the whole shopping experience is much more pleasant to me at other stores.
i don't know maybe they should study feng shui more, lol.
Yep I know how this is. I guess I see so many threads "bashing" Wal-mart shoppers like we are redneck trailer trash or something. However what happens in Wal-mart can happen in shopping place.

[ForCryingOutLoud]

The most annoying place for parents not to watch their children is at a restaurant. I was a waitress... it is always lovely trying to dodge children with hot plates of food that could burn them and hurt them since the plates are heavy. A kid got hit by the waitress door once because he was dancing and playing in front of it... Maybe you should keep your child seated at the table or if they start to get fidgety then walk around with them instead of just letting them run around like it is their home.

[camdensmommy]

Let me just say I WORK very HARD to make sure my son is NOT one of those children. I am constantly trying to keep him in line and most of the time, he does very well. I CANT STAND people who do that.

Once at Target these little Mexican children where running up and down the aisle, screaming and the girl fell and it looked like she busted her nose. She was bleeding profusely and the mom came over and was trying to use the girl's coat to stop the bleeding. I gave her my pack of kleenex (she didn't speak English - mumbled a thanks in spanish) and wanted to tell her NOT to let the child hold her head back (choke on blood, etc) and to hold it forward, but it was no use. She couldn't even understand me. I also wanted to say SEE THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LET YOU CHILDREN RUN AROUND LIKE WILD BANSHEES!

When wild children get in my way at the store, I am very LOUD when I say "EXCUSE ME!" trying to get around them. That way, they know and the parent knows I am thoroughly annoyed by them!

I'm really trying very hard not to read "between the lines" with your post but this is sounding very racist. BTW, lots of people (despite race) believe it best to hold your head back with a bloody nose, it's just something that was passed on from their childhood, all though yes, you should tip the head forward.

I'm not saying her kids shouldn't have been running around the aisle screaming and eventually getting hurt but I think the other comments you tagged in here are hurtful. Like the "it was no use. She couldn't even understand me"

I have so much more that I could say to this but I will try to believe that the way I am perceiving the tone in your post is not the way you meant them.

[ForCryingOutLoud]

I didn't read through all the posts but MAN, there are some people that I could just strangle!! My biggest thing is when I see the parents walking in the street with their LO. Whether it be a parking lot or just s regular sidewalk on a busy street. I've seen it WAY too many times that the child, a small child, talking about just barely walking is running way far ahead from their child, and they're slowing walking behind like they have no worry in the world. Do they NOT know that the kid can just run into the street and be hit just like that. :cry: It makes me sick just thinking about it. I always wanna roll down my window and tell them to grab their child. But I'm a really paranoid person. I can't even turn my back on my kids when I'm anywhere. My DH thinks I'm nuts.
Oh it just makes me sick when I see this as well. I see it too many times, not only could they run out into the street...I often comment to my DH that we could just pull up along them and take them before their parents could turn around. I just can't stand it!!

[I Smile Because Of Them]

Let me just say I WORK very HARD to make sure my son is NOT one of those children. I am constantly trying to keep him in line and most of the time, he does very well. I CANT STAND people who do that.

Once at Target these little Mexican children where running up and down the aisle, screaming and the girl fell and it looked like she busted her nose. She was bleeding profusely and the mom came over and was trying to use the girl's coat to stop the bleeding. I gave her my pack of kleenex (she didn't speak English - mumbled a thanks in spanish) and wanted to tell her NOT to let the child hold her head back (choke on blood, etc) and to hold it forward, but it was no use. She couldn't even understand me. I also wanted to say SEE THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LET YOU CHILDREN RUN AROUND LIKE WILD BANSHEES!

When wild children get in my way at the store, I am very LOUD when I say "EXCUSE ME!" trying to get around them. That way, they know and the parent knows I am thoroughly annoyed by them!

What does the children being Mexican have anything to do with this. :headscratch:

[kattayanna_mom]

My older girls as babies/toddlers rode in the front of the cart. When my oldest was too big I leashed her and pushed the cart with one or both hands. my middle DD would still ride in the cart if I'd let her and she's almost 11.:giggle2:
My 2.5 yr old still sits in the front basket and is always strapped in.Rarely does she walk and if she does my almost 13 yr old and the middle one help keep an eye on her.

[I Smile Because Of Them]

I'm really trying very hard not to read "between the lines" with your post but this is sounding very racist. BTW, lots of people (despite race) believe it best to hold your head back with a bloody nose, it's just something that was passed on from their childhood, all though yes, you should tip the head forward.

I'm not saying her kids shouldn't have been running around the aisle screaming and eventually getting hurt but I think the other comments you tagged in here are hurtful.

:doh: You beat me to it, but I totally agree with you mama. It does sound EXTREMELY racist.

[MomsHelpingMoms]

:doh: You beat me to it, but I totally agree with you mama. It does sound EXTREMELY racist.

I caught that too but wasn't going to say anything. I kept trying to see where maybe it was necessary for her to explain that, never really found anything of any importance though.

[doublebk]

This was maybe not a parent, but an idiot at that! I had taken my 18 month old dd (at the time) and the boy I was caring for (3yo) to Chuck E. Cheese for lunch on day. BTW-I was 9 months pregnant with dd#3. We were leaving and right near the door and I was trying to get the boy's coat on him. Bryn was right at the dor, but I knew she couldnt open it. This lady comes walking in, with no kids, and HOLDS THE DOOR OPEN FOR MY DD TO RUN OUT!:banghead: Oh, I wanted to slap her! Instead of preventing her from leaving, she holds it for her. Then I had to waddle my 9 month preggo butt and holding a 3yo run after her into the parking lot. Thank God it was a Tuesday afternoon, relatively quite there, or there would have been a ton of cars!

[Terra]

What does the children being Mexican have anything to do with this. :headscratch:

I wondered that too....the parents not watching children thing crosses all boundaries!!

[pokydog]

I heard this story told by someone calling into the radio a year or so ago: a family was checking out of Walmart & stopped at the food tables to change their little one's poopy diaper! Right there on the food table! :yuck: :yuck: Who would do such a thing?????

[nothingtosee]

I heard this story told by someone calling into the radio a year or so ago: a family was checking out of Walmart & stopped at the food tables to change their little one's poopy diaper! Right there on the food table! :yuck: :yuck: Who would do such a thing?????

In Taco Bell the other day one of the employees told me to do that, since they didn't have a changer and the bathroom floor is dirty. I just said "That's okay, I have a changing pad and we'll do it in the car."

[jackyl08]

I caught that too but wasn't going to say anything. I kept trying to see where maybe it was necessary for her to explain that, never really found anything of any importance though.

I don't think she was being racist intentionally. Where I live, the Hispanic population is huge, like 25%. Stores and things are always very busy here and there are always Hispanic kids running around, unnoticed by their parents. I am not racist and could care less where someone comes from, but when mom and dad are screaming in Spanish across the store for their kid, you kinda notice. I think it may be a cultural thing. They are comfortable letting the kids run. Kind of how in European countries people leave sleeping babies in strollers outside of resturants.
It's kind of hard not to notice a large population of people that do not speak English. It's very hard to communicate with a lot of people where I live. I work at car seat clinics and we have Hispanic families come in. We have ONE bilingual tech, so I am left to my own devices to figure out how to get the message across.
I just don't think this mama was intending to be racist. It's sometimes really hard to get things to come out the right way. :hugs: :goodvibes:

[aboutachild]

I don't think she was being racist intentionally. Where I live, the Hispanic population is huge, like 25%. Stores and things are always very busy here and there are always Hispanic kids running around, unnoticed by their parents. I am not racist and could care less where someone comes from, but when mom and dad are screaming in Spanish across the store for their kid, you kinda notice. I think it may be a cultural thing. They are comfortable letting the kids run. Kind of how in European countries people leave sleeping babies in strollers outside of resturants.
It's kind of hard not to notice a large population of people that do not speak English. It's very hard to communicate with a lot of people where I live. I work at car seat clinics and we have Hispanic families come in. We have ONE bilingual tech, so I am left to my own devices to figure out how to get the message across.
I just don't think this mama was intending to be racist. It's sometimes really hard to get things to come out the right way. :hugs: :goodvibes:


:exactly:

I also live in an area where there are a lot of people who do not speak English. I find it difficult to shop in stores where there are great numbers of people who do not speak English and who do not have the common courtesies that are normal in America. I would think though that if I were to go to a different country I would try my hardest to learn the language but the customs and every day courtesies would take time to learn but I would still try my hardest to be nice. Sometimes it feels like some people just don't care and that is frustrating. But one PP was right race doesn't have a whole lot to do with it as Americans can be extremely rude too.

The point is that the language/customs barrier can be frustrating.

[*Alabamamom*]

Hey, sounds like you were at the walmart I was at the other day! I don't understand that myself. I'm TERRIFIED of someone taking my baby! I'd NEVER let him wander off alone.. EVER. I don't even allow my older kids to go off unless they are with each other. Too many p3rvs and sickos out there.

[katesmash]

Ok coming into this thread at the end ... read through the first couple pages, but there are SO many horrible stories! :banghead:

I have worked enough years in retail.... don't get me started. My DD is 6 months old, and I am planning on starting to put her in the seat part of the cart soon, now that she can sit well... but I would NEVER leave the cart with her in it, even for a second to get something just down the aisle. I can't imagine leaving the AISLE to get something.
I'm going to teach my girl respect, and make sure she listens. And if she acts up (as all kids do) I will deal with it, but I won't let her run amuck.

I hate parents who let their kids do that kind of stuff. I HATE those wheelie shoes that kids have. I am SO happy to hear that my niece's school started ripping the wheels out if kids wore them to school (first they sent warning letters telling parents those shoes weren't allowed!) I have almost been knocked down many times (some while I was pregnant)
I've watched kids pulling clothes off of hangers/racks... opening packages and eating food out of them.... knocking pop bottles off shelves... I could go on and on and on.

[MyM&W]

yeah...I see that a lot. I would never leave my child like that...

Just today at walmart there was a women in there..maybe late 20's with a 5ish year old and a 2ish-3 maybe? year old in the cart, well I was passing the entrance way as she was walking in and she was basically yelling at the 2-3 year old, telling him to stop and be quite..which is fine but she was yelling at him. Maybe people do that but not me...expecially in public! I was checking out with my mom and she was behind us..her 2-3 year old was still screaming his head off and I could tell she was getting upset. I glanced behind me real quick with my 2 year old quietly in my arms and she gave me the dirtiest look lol..then continued to tell her children if they where good they could have there toys (thats alls he had in her cart) Ugh!

[Tavie and Ellie's Mom]

I used to work at L. L. Bean in the mall and we had an indoor waterfall with fish right in the middle of the store. I was walking past going to the break room and I saw a kid swiming in the pond. Litterally, he said he was fishing. So I pulled him out, got a towel off one of the displays and called a code adam in the store. It turned out that his parents were in Nordstrom next door! :banghead: They weren't even in the same f-ing store as their kid and had no idea that he was missing. Mall security was called and all that and I don't know what happened after, but I really hope they called the police.

[SugarPlumCompany]

We have a system for those skate shoe things...we stand still and stick our hands on our hips, elbows out. Not our fault if a kid runs into us and takes an elbow to the face. They should have more control than that. :thumbsup:

:roflmbo:

[frenchie]

:doh: You beat me to it, but I totally agree with you mama. It does sound EXTREMELY racist.

Extremely...really? I think she mentioned that they were Mexican, because a little later in her story, she mentioned that they didn't speak English. Extreme racism to me, would be using a derogitory word, and outright making a harsh generalization about their ethnicity.
I think people are WAY to quick to call people racist these days. Let's give this momma the benefit of the doubt.

[frenchie]

I heard this story told by someone calling into the radio a year or so ago: a family was checking out of Walmart & stopped at the food tables to change their little one's poopy diaper! Right there on the food table! :yuck: :yuck: Who would do such a thing?????

Brittany Spears...yesp! She did it right on a chair in a fancy restaurant.

[leighi123]

What really bugs me is parents not buckling there kids into the carts and then the kid tries to get out.
I went to costco last weekend and it was REALLY crowded but I only saw ONE kid buckled in, the rest wernt. Um duh, there is a seatbelt there for a reason.

I also hate it when parents put their carseat on top of the cart - it's not safe even though sooo many people do it. Some carseats even say right on the side 'do not use on shopping carts'. The 'lock in' thing is designed to lock into the base or a stroller, not a cart. I saw one tip over with a carseat on top because some kids were running around and bumped it - the carseat made it top heavy and it fell right over - poor baby.

[MomsHelpingMoms]

What really bugs me is parents not buckling there kids into the carts and then the kid tries to get out.
I went to costco last weekend and it was REALLY crowded but I only saw ONE kid buckled in, the rest wernt. Um duh, there is a seatbelt there for a reason.

I also hate it when parents put their carseat on top of the cart - it's not safe even though sooo many people do it. Some carseats even say right on the side 'do not use on shopping carts'. The 'lock in' thing is designed to lock into the base or a stroller, not a cart. I saw one tip over with a carseat on top because some kids were running around and bumped it - the carseat made it top heavy and it fell right over - poor baby.

I used to try to do that, but I'm not tall enough. I kept having to push the cart while trying to lean to the side just so I could see. Much easier to sling the baby than it is to shop with the carseat on top, let alone safer. I've never seen one fall off before though, that had to be awful.

[I Smile Because Of Them]

Extremely...really? I think she mentioned that they were Mexican, because a little later in her story, she mentioned that they didn't speak English. Extreme racism to me, would be using a derogitory word, and outright making a harsh generalization about their ethnicity.
I think people are WAY to quick to call people racist these days. Let's give this momma the benefit of the doubt.

That's NOT the point mama. Had these children were another race, would she have said so. Say these were "white" kids. Would she have said, "Well these white kids were running around". No she probably wouldn't have. Maybe the word "extremely" was a little out there. But I mentioned the fact that the race of the children was irrelevant and had no need to mentioned in this thread.

[katesmash]

I also hate it when parents put their carseat on top of the cart - it's not safe even though sooo many people do it. Some carseats even say right on the side 'do not use on shopping carts'. The 'lock in' thing is designed to lock into the base or a stroller, not a cart. I saw one tip over with a carseat on top because some kids were running around and bumped it - the carseat made it top heavy and it fell right over - poor baby.

I actually just went and got my manual for this! :giggle: Sure enough, page 11 under warnings... under the title Fall hazard: "NEVER place carrier on the top of a shopping cart". Although I don't see how the 'lock in' would even kind of attach on a cart... I've never found a way. :headscratch: When we put DD's carseat in/on a cart, we either stuck it in the big part of the cart, or pulled the "seat" part out and set it in there.

I used to try to do that, but I'm not tall enough. I kept having to push the cart while trying to lean to the side just so I could see. Much easier to sling the baby than it is to shop with the carseat on top, let alone safer. I've never seen one fall off before though, that had to be awful.

My DH has no problem when he does this, but when I try to push the cart, I can't see if I'm going to run over a small child or something. :giggle2: We have been doing this, mostly in the winter, because DD was so young and didn't want her out in the cold (blanket over carseat works great). But now that DD is 6 months I think I'm going to start leaving the carseat in the car and using our Snugli (no sling for us) or putting her in the seat part of the cart (and buckling her in! :mrgreen: Don't worry!)

[trilla_marion]

I see it every where too :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

My moms rule when we grew up was we always had to have 1 hand on the cart at all times. It wasn't until I met DH at 22yrs old and one day while grocery shopping he laughed and said "why do you always hold on to the cart?" :giggle: That has been our rule with our kids, too. The other thing that drive me batty is to let kids open packages (food, toys, ect..) while at the store. I always tell the girls it's not our until we pay for it!

Erica

ugh I used to work for Target and someone came through my line once and was letting their toddler chew and drool on a stuffed dog....and then when everything was loaded up on the counter she handed the stuffed animal to me to put back...I couldn't believe it. If I had my DD something to play with in the store and she drools on it I buy it. I expect when I hand her something that I may end up having to buy it.

[leighi123]

I used to try to do that, but I'm not tall enough. I kept having to push the cart while trying to lean to the side just so I could see. Much easier to sling the baby than it is to shop with the carseat on top, let alone safer. I've never seen one fall off before though, that had to be awful.

Me too - Levi is always in a carrier I made, he has ridden in the cart twice (not in a carseat) both with DH at home depot. He is happy riding in a carrier, I usually give him something to hold (one of his toys) and he spends the rest of the time 'talking' to people as we shop (they always want to see him in the carrier for some reason)

It was really scary when we saw the cart fall over, I was pregnant at the time and decided I'd never put the carseat on the cart - for me, the carseat lives in the car where it belongs.

[trilla_marion]

Oh it just makes me sick when I see this as well. I see it too many times, not only could they run out into the street...I often comment to my DH that we could just pull up along them and take them before their parents could turn around. I just can't stand it!!

ooh that kind of reminds me of my former neighbors...we came home one night and I was parking along the street...well we got out of the car, started getting our DD who at that point was still in an infant carseat, out of the car and they just shouted to us 'Could you pull in slower? My children tend to run into the street'.....I was like o.0 Are you kidding me? 1, I wasn't speeding. and 2. all but her youngest were definitely old enough for her to be beating their butts if they run into the street so they should be learning NOT to do this...I didn't say anything, I couldn't think of anything that wouldn't have come off as rude....haha

[kelllilee]

What really bugs me is parents not buckling there kids into the carts and then the kid tries to get out.
I went to costco last weekend and it was REALLY crowded but I only saw ONE kid buckled in, the rest wernt. Um duh, there is a seatbelt there for a reason.


those "seatbelts" in carts are useless! Especially on skinny kids. My daughter is more inclined to sit nicely in the cart not buckled in. When she's buckled it's like her life mission to get out of it and will flip around backwards, stand up, twist, slide sideways and any other way she can think of to get out of the dang thing, even when it's tightened all the way. I actually made a harness for my older DD for the carts because no cart seatbelt would keep her in!
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c142/Kelllilee/dipes/2005_07070025.jpg

although the majority of the time I stick my youngest in the mei tai in stores. It drives me up the wall seeing all that stuff too and I see it a LOT.

My oldest (almost 3) would LOVE to run but she isn't allowed. I've worked really hard to teach her the rules of store ettiquette. We have a 'progressive" rule with her: She is allowed to walk with us as long as she's within arms reach, if she can't do that she either has to hold one of our hands or have a hand on the cart. If she can't do THAT she goes in the cart, if she sits nicely she doesn't get buckeled, if she can't then she does get buckeled in. If it gets to that point she gives up but generally it doesn't get that far.

I get freaked out if she's more than 5 feet from me, I can't imagine letting her be farther than that or out of sight! Within "earshot" is NOT good enough! She could be kidnapped in the 30 seconds between checking on her!!

[camdensmommy]

those "seatbelts" in carts are useless! Especially on skinny kids. My daughter is more inclined to sit nicely in the cart not buckled in. When she's buckled it's like her life mission to get out of it and will flip around backwards, stand up, twist, slide sideways and any other way she can think of to get out of the dang thing, even when it's tightened all the way. I actually made a harness for my older DD for the carts because no cart seatbelt would keep her in!
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c142/Kelllilee/dipes/2005_07070025.jpg

although the majority of the time I stick my youngest in the mei tai in stores. It drives me up the wall seeing all that stuff too and I see it a LOT.

My oldest (almost 3) would LOVE to run but she isn't allowed. I've worked really hard to teach her the rules of store ettiquette. We have a 'progressive" rule with her: She is allowed to walk with us as long as she's within arms reach, if she can't do that she either has to hold one of our hands or have a hand on the cart. If she can't do THAT she goes in the cart, if she sits nicely she doesn't get buckeled, if she can't then she does get buckeled in. If it gets to that point she gives up but generally it doesn't get that far.

I get freaked out if she's more than 5 feet from me, I can't imagine letting her be farther than that or out of sight! Within "earshot" is NOT good enough! She could be kidnapped in the 30 seconds between checking on her!!

what a neat idea! :thumbsup:

[cassondruh]

I think she mentioned that they were Mexican, because a little later in her story, she mentioned that they didn't speak English.

Not everyone who speaks Spanish is Mexican.

[lulusmom]

Ya know, I love my kid.
I really dislike everyone else's kids and their parents. Especially in public.


:yeahthat: I don't even like my friends who are parents and their kids. I was over at a friends' house about a month ago and one other mama friend was there with her 1.5 year old who has developmental problems and still can't walk, so she's crawling around on the ground while mama is gabbing away. The person whose house we were at, her kid is much older so nothing was babyproofed any more. I had dd in the sling because of that reason (that, and I don't know how clean other peoples' floors are) and of course the little girl falls and bumps her head on the corner of the coffee table HARD and starts screaming. Mama decided to finish her story first before coming over to pick up and comfort her dd. :yuck:

[tessa1002]

I don't really see it a lot, but then again I don't shop at Wal-Mart. :giggle: I really don't shop much at all though, besides once a week at our fairly quiet, suburban Acme. We did go on a playgroup outing to Miller Farm the other day though, and I wanted to say something to a mama whose 5yr old was harassing a peacock out of sight of the group and the adults. (He started right down the road, but after a minute only the sound of the distressed peacock let you know he was still nearby) The guy who ran the farm told everyone beforehand that they absolutely needed to remember to stay with the group because they could get hurt or end up covered in animal poop. Is it bad that I was hoping he would inadvertently run into a giant pile of cow feces? :giggle:


What really bugs me is parents not buckling there kids into the carts and then the kid tries to get out.
I went to costco last weekend and it was REALLY crowded but I only saw ONE kid buckled in, the rest wernt. Um duh, there is a seatbelt there for a reason.

I also hate it when parents put their carseat on top of the cart - it's not safe even though sooo many people do it. Some carseats even say right on the side 'do not use on shopping carts'. The 'lock in' thing is designed to lock into the base or a stroller, not a cart. I saw one tip over with a carseat on top because some kids were running around and bumped it - the carseat made it top heavy and it fell right over - poor baby.

I saw a couple today with their probably 9month old in a carseat on the cart. It wasn't locked in, and was at such an angle that the child looked like he was standing up almost. The whole thing looked like it was about to fall off at any moment. I thought about saying something but I didn't think it would matter, and they would just end up mad at me.

[Terra]

I also hate it when parents put their carseat on top of the cart - it's not safe even though sooo many people do it. Some carseats even say right on the side 'do not use on shopping carts'. The 'lock in' thing is designed to lock into the base or a stroller, not a cart. I saw one tip over with a carseat on top because some kids were running around and bumped it - the carseat made it top heavy and it fell right over - poor baby.

I used to try to do that, but I'm not tall enough. I kept having to push the cart while trying to lean to the side just so I could see. Much easier to sling the baby than it is to shop with the carseat on top, let alone safer. I've never seen one fall off before though, that had to be awful.

That drives me bonkers too and I used to it until I was informed by a wise mama I know! I NEVER did it after that and I actually got my carriers too which I was waiting on. My son was always in the Moby or Ergo after that until he turned about a year now I use the cart cover and he rides in the cart all buckled in :)
Plus I just don't [personally] why people always have their really LOs in the carseat all the time anyway. That's just me though :)

those "seatbelts" in carts are useless! Especially on skinny kids. My daughter is more inclined to sit nicely in the cart not buckled in. When she's buckled it's like her life mission to get out of it and will flip around backwards, stand up, twist, slide sideways and any other way she can think of to get out of the dang thing, even when it's tightened all the way. I actually made a harness for my older DD for the carts because no cart seatbelt would keep her in!
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c142/Kelllilee/dipes/2005_07070025.jpg

although the majority of the time I stick my youngest in the mei tai in stores. It drives me up the wall seeing all that stuff too and I see it a LOT.

My oldest (almost 3) would LOVE to run but she isn't allowed. I've worked really hard to teach her the rules of store ettiquette. We have a 'progressive" rule with her: She is allowed to walk with us as long as she's within arms reach, if she can't do that she either has to hold one of our hands or have a hand on the cart. If she can't do THAT she goes in the cart, if she sits nicely she doesn't get buckeled, if she can't then she does get buckeled in. If it gets to that point she gives up but generally it doesn't get that far.

I get freaked out if she's more than 5 feet from me, I can't imagine letting her be farther than that or out of sight! Within "earshot" is NOT good enough! She could be kidnapped in the 30 seconds between checking on her!!

mama, what a great idea!! You should do some WAHM ones and try to seel them. I think not only would it work better it would be more sanitary too. Some of the belts I've seen on those carts are almost black from dirt and to beat all I see people letting their LO's CHEW on them!!!!!!!!!!:yuck: :yuck: :yuck: That's why I love my cart cover that has it's own belt and it gets washed after every store use!

I like your "progressive rule" too!! Great idea!:thumbsup:

I don't really see it a lot, but then again I don't shop at Wal-Mart. :giggle: I really don't shop much at all though, besides once a week at our fairly quiet, suburban Acme. We did go on a playgroup outing to Miller Farm the other day though, and I wanted to say something to a mama whose 5yr old was harassing a peacock out of sight of the group and the adults. (He started right down the road, but after a minute only the sound of the distressed peacock let you know he was still nearby) The guy who ran the farm told everyone beforehand that they absolutely needed to remember to stay with the group because they could get hurt or end up covered in animal poop. Is it bad that I was hoping he would inadvertently run into a giant pile of cow feces? :giggle:

I saw a couple today with their probably 9month old in a carseat on the cart. It wasn't locked in, and was at such an angle that the child looked like he was standing up almost. The whole thing looked like it was about to fall off at any moment. I thought about saying something but I didn't think it would matter, and they would just end up mad at me.

:banghead: So scary!! Oh and to beat all I also see MANY LO's in the carseat ON TOP of the cart NOT buckled in!!!!!! [and they are a little older and looks like they are able to roll over...:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: So I'm always so scared to watch just thinking that they are going to squirm and fall out of the seat onto the floor!! I actually saw a LO almost do this and the parents were down the aisle looking at shampoo. So I just acted like I was looking at something and stood by their cart just in case the baby [about 5 months] started to actually fall out. I really should have said something!

And WOW...I can't believe all the replies!! It's been very interesting reading it all!!

[Kelolsen-and-Padawan]

Here's a story for you. Good friend of miine calls yesterday. their 3yo can be sort of out of control and runs off (typical.. but Dad doesn't seem to go after them). We all went to the mall food court the other day to get some ice cream and the 3yo kept running off into the little "courtyard" in the mall. The Mom was w/ their 1yo and Dad was supposd to be in charge of the 3yo. 3yo kept running off and Dad wouldn't go after him. He'd run into stores, etc and mom would say "He's in the store! go get him!!" Well, Monday night Dad took him to Lowes or Home Depot (can't remmeber which) and he went off running all over the store and I'm just guessing that Dad didn't chase after him too closely. Boy runs and runs and runs around a corner, straight into a big metal card, tearing a huge gash in his eybrow that required 6 stitches. Mom said that their insurance (for the boys- she doesn't have any for herself b/c its "too expensive" - yet they go on vacations often and used all of t heir tax money to buy a 2nd plasma for the wall complete w/ bose speakers- it could have paid her insurnace fora year) pays 80/20 and if the bill is too high they'll go after the store to pay the rest of the bill. She said, "I know he was running so it wasn't the store's fault, but it m ght be too much for us to pay'. that royally pissed me off. I could see if they were walking in the store and something fell and hit the boy, but if you let your 3yo tear around a home improvement store full of the type of things its full of and he gets hurt, it should NOT be the store's fault. Pay the bill yourself and maybe a lesson will be learned. Yes, 3yos run around, but maybe that means you don't take him to that kind of store, or that you need to work with him more on walking w/ you, KWIM? I have to say it'll realy change my opinion of them if they try to make the store pay the bill.

[frenchie]

those "seatbelts" in carts are useless! Especially on skinny kids. My daughter is more inclined to sit nicely in the cart not buckled in. When she's buckled it's like her life mission to get out of it and will flip around backwards, stand up, twist, slide sideways and any other way she can think of to get out of the dang thing, even when it's tightened all the way. I actually made a harness for my older DD for the carts because no cart seatbelt would keep her in!

Uhm..momma, you need to market these!!! I WANT ONE!!! My DD does EXACTLY what you described above. However, she won't even sit without one. She wants to stand and dance in place. Half the time, I have to hold onto her while I push the cart. She's standing and dancing, drooling and smiling huge at everybody who will look.

[tina197]

This wasn't in a store but my buddy Helen told me that during a trip to the ER with their DS, they had to sit on a gurney in the hall because it was so full that day, and there was a lady letting her LO crawl....on ...floor, in a hospital.:yuck: How many germs are in a hospital, to say the least on the floor!!!:banghead: The lasy thought it was no big deal, but Helen was GROSSED OUT!

[Terra]

Here's a story for you. Good friend of miine calls yesterday. their 3yo can be sort of out of control and runs off (typical.. but Dad doesn't seem to go after them). We all went to the mall food court the other day to get some ice cream and the 3yo kept running off into the little "courtyard" in the mall. The Mom was w/ their 1yo and Dad was supposd to be in charge of the 3yo. 3yo kept running off and Dad wouldn't go after him. He'd run into stores, etc and mom would say "He's in the store! go get him!!" Well, Monday night Dad took him to Lowes or Home Depot (can't remmeber which) and he went off running all over the store and I'm just guessing that Dad didn't chase after him too closely. Boy runs and runs and runs around a corner, straight into a big metal card, tearing a huge gash in his eybrow that required 6 stitches. Mom said that their insurance (for the boys- she doesn't have any for herself b/c its "too expensive" - yet they go on vacations often and used all of t heir tax money to buy a 2nd plasma for the wall complete w/ bose speakers- it could have paid her insurnace fora year) pays 80/20 and if the bill is too high they'll go after the store to pay the rest of the bill. She said, "I know he was running so it wasn't the store's fault, but it m ght be too much for us to pay'. that royally pissed me off. I could see if they were walking in the store and something fell and hit the boy, but if you let your 3yo tear around a home improvement store full of the type of things its full of and he gets hurt, it should NOT be the store's fault. Pay the bill yourself and maybe a lesson will be learned. Yes, 3yos run around, but maybe that means you don't take him to that kind of store, or that you need to work with him more on walking w/ you, KWIM? I have to say it'll realy change my opinion of them if they try to make the store pay the bill.

:eek: :eek: :dontlikeit: :nono: :thud:
ITA mama!!!! Priorities, priorities, priorities!!!
And yikes my DH KNOWS if he didn't really watch David and let him do that he would be sleeping on the coach for a long time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[linz2491]

some of the stories sound like the parents were being oblivious to their kids but some sound like exaperated parents. I know how it feels. I have 2 boys 7 and 2 and a 4 month old. the 4month old is always in a carrier as we do not have an infant seat just a regular carseat. My 2 year old is going thru an expessially horrible period and most days is one big tantrum. It is really hard in the stores but I can't leave them at home my 2 year old usually wants to be in the cart part and ods with him. The part they are supposed to sit in wont contain him even with the belt. Plus he screams at the top of his lungs and there is only so much I can handle. When ods doesnt want to sit in the cart yds spends the whole time trying to climb out. so I let him out for his safety and my sanity and he will hold ods hand for a bit but if something catches his eye he will either bolt or stop and not come. ods usually runs after him for me because I cant run with a baby in a sling. I'm sure everyone is looking and judging us but i don't know what else to do. 3 is for sure a whole different ballgame. Sometimes to others it may look like I am not paying attention or letting yds run wild but I am always aware and always have him in my sight for the moments he is not in the cart or by my side.

[frenchie]

That's NOT the point mama. Had these children were another race, would she have said so. Say these were "white" kids. Would she have said, "Well these white kids were running around". No she probably wouldn't have. Maybe the word "extremely" was a little out there. But I mentioned the fact that the race of the children was irrelevant and had no need to mentioned in this thread.

I get this, I really do. I agree that it really isn't a totally relevant point to the story. However, merely mentioning the race of a person in a story, does NOT make them a racist. I believe, in her head, as she was typing her post, she made mention of it, because later in her post, she tells us that the person doesn't speak English (and I KNOW that all people who speak Spanish are not Mexican) I know for me, I post irrelevant information in my posts, because it seems relevant in the moment. I live in Southern California. There are some areas we (general we) dub as "Little Mexico". Not because we are all racist, but because of the obvious....they are areas densely populated with Mexican people. I don't even bat an eye when somebody makes mention of a person's race, unless it's blatantly racist. That would be because I see the world pass by every day. Black, White, Yellow and Brown...everyday.

So, all I was saying, is we should give the momma the benefit of the doubt. Has she posted racist rantings before? Does she make mention of people's ethnic backgrounds all the time? Does she speak negatively about other ethnicities? It just peeves me to see the word "racist" thrown around so lightly. IMO, it dilutes the meaning of the word. If I call somebody a racist, I mean it...and I mean it in the most negative way possible.

Lastly, I'm so sensitive about this, because I've seen my friends get beat to a bloody pulp, simply for having a shaved head. People make assumptions about others, and those assumptions put others in danger. My life was put in danger, because of my friends. I actually had a "hit" out on me, because I dared to speak up to some people that beat the crap out of a friend of mine. God forbid a white kid shaves his head!! Yet, the (I'm going to say it) Mexican kid that beat the crap out of my friend, had his head shaved. I AM happy to report though, that years later, the kid that had every intention of stabbing me to death (and he came close to an opportunity a few times, it was scary) made ammends with me. He happens to be the brother of the pastor of my old church. At any rate, I have said too much. We can agree to disagree, but I just wanted clarify the point I was trying to make, though I'm not sure I did that here :blush:
:goodvibes:

[doberbrat]

I have 2 good friends who take their 2yo to the mall for the express purpose of letting them run. I didn’t understand that was the purpose the first time I went and was horrified. I’ve declined subsequent invitations and told them that I didn’t want to teach her that that behavior is ok.

But, people are def crazy. To make a long story short, I went to Target a few weeks ago. I asked my dd (2.5) if she wanted to ride in a cart or on my back. It was raining and the carts were wet and she didn’t want to sit in it so I let her walk. I was at the end of an isle while she was looking at bikes in the cross isle, so I was kinda hidden but about 3ft away when a man approached her. He ran when I immediately popped out.

I KNOW he meant ill towards my dd. And this was in a nice target in a nice part of town etc.

A few months ago, a 6yo was snatched and horribly abused while his mother was at a computer in a LIBRARY just a few feet away.

My mother used to leave me in the toy isle when I was little for a few min too…. Gone are the times when kids could safely roam in store isles or hide in racks etc.

[frenchie]

This wasn't in a store but my buddy Helen told me that during a trip to the ER with their DS, they had to sit on a gurney in the hall because it was so full that day, and there was a lady letting her LO crawl....on ...floor, in a hospital.:yuck: How many germs are in a hospital, to say the least on the floor!!!:banghead: The lasy thought it was no big deal, but Helen was GROSSED OUT!
...and what exactly would you do with a crawler, being stuck in a crowded ER for hours? Keep him/her in your arms or possibly the child will sit quietly in a chair :roflmbo: Seriously, soap and water. The child will be fine, I'm sure. It's not like the furniture is any less germ infested...it's an ER room!! I'm going to side with the lady that thought it was no big deal. I've spent 6 hours in an ER room before...it was BORING and MISERABLE!!! Shoot, I was ready to crawl on the floor...at least it would've been a change of scenery :giggle2:

[oitzjustlisa]

I hate seeing this also. I went to the mall in Roanoke with my brother, and while there we stopped in Hungates. They had one of those Thomas the Tank Engine tables set up, right by the door no less, with big signs saying "Do not leave children unattended." And of course there's a little boy there, maybe 3-4 years old at most, playing alone. The kicker was other than the employees, my brother and I were the ONLY adults in the store. Where were the parents? Were one of the older kids in the store supposed to be watching him while mom and dad shopped? Because he/she wasn't doing it! Ugh. I hate lazy parents.

What I hate the most is people that let their children wear and USE their heelies in public places. I'm sorry, but Walmart is NOT a skating rink, and if you're guilty of this, SHAME ON YOU!!! I'm tired of going into stores and seeing kids fly back and forth, plowing into shelves, racks and myself while their parents pay them no mind. I wish stores would put a stop to this. Our Walmart used to make a PA and remind people that they were NOT allowed in the store, but they've recently stopped. I'm going to start doing like Adam Sandler in Big Daddy and just throw things on the floor in front of them, maybe tripping on a coat hanger will get the point across? Somehow I don't think so...

[frenchie]

I hate those d@mn things!! We've had kids wearing them in my SALON!!! Seriously! There are people all over the place with SHARP scissors in their hands, and you're going to let your kid SKATE his way to the bathroom :banghead:

[oitzjustlisa]

I hate those d@mn things!! We've had kids wearing them in my SALON!!! Seriously! There are people all over the place with SHARP scissors in their hands, and you're going to let your kid SKATE his way to the bathroom :banghead:

Yikes! Why don't parents use common sense and take control of their kids when wearing those things? When I took Jolie to her 9 month WBV there was a kid there wearing them. He skated to the bathroom, fell over trying to open the door, and on the way back tripped over a 2 year old and then almost fell again trying to sit in his chair. Luckily the LO wasn't hurt, and all that kid's mom did was smile. Jerk. :yuck:

[camdensmommy]

Here's a story for you. Good friend of miine calls yesterday. their 3yo can be sort of out of control and runs off (typical.. but Dad doesn't seem to go after them). We all went to the mall food court the other day to get some ice cream and the 3yo kept running off into the little "courtyard" in the mall. The Mom was w/ their 1yo and Dad was supposd to be in charge of the 3yo. 3yo kept running off and Dad wouldn't go after him. He'd run into stores, etc and mom would say "He's in the store! go get him!!" Well, Monday night Dad took him to Lowes or Home Depot (can't remmeber which) and he went off running all over the store and I'm just guessing that Dad didn't chase after him too closely. Boy runs and runs and runs around a corner, straight into a big metal card, tearing a huge gash in his eybrow that required 6 stitches. Mom said that their insurance (for the boys- she doesn't have any for herself b/c its "too expensive" - yet they go on vacations often and used all of t heir tax money to buy a 2nd plasma for the wall complete w/ bose speakers- it could have paid her insurnace fora year) pays 80/20 and if the bill is too high they'll go after the store to pay the rest of the bill. She said, "I know he was running so it wasn't the store's fault, but it m ght be too much for us to pay'. that royally pissed me off. I could see if they were walking in the store and something fell and hit the boy, but if you let your 3yo tear around a home improvement store full of the type of things its full of and he gets hurt, it should NOT be the store's fault. Pay the bill yourself and maybe a lesson will be learned. Yes, 3yos run around, but maybe that means you don't take him to that kind of store, or that you need to work with him more on walking w/ you, KWIM? I have to say it'll realy change my opinion of them if they try to make the store pay the bill.

Seriously, what is the world coming to? I'm so sick of the entitlement mentality. I wish Lowe's could sue them.

In fact, I wish stores could start penalizing parents for neglectful and rude behavior. Some of these parents need a time out. They'll just add it to your bill on the way out. In fact I wish they would start kicking people out more often but then someone would find a way to sue for that. People just need to buck up and realize that their kids are their responsibility. Yes, kids have bad days. I accept that, I understand that but it still doesn't mean that it's acceptable. The behavior will happen, the point is to teach them it's not okay.

Ok, I know that was uncalled for but man. :banghead:

[wvgemini]

There are a lot of stores around here that have banned those stupid heeleys. one of the malls even has signs posted prohibiting them on mall PROPERTY ... as in not even in the parking lot. It makes me crazy that schools have had to rewrite dress codes specifically banning those. :headscratch: Um ... you wouldn't send your kid to school in rollerskates, so what the h3!! is the difference?!?!

I'm going to start doing like Adam Sandler in Big Daddy and just throw things on the floor in front of them, maybe tripping on a coat hanger will get the point across? Somehow I don't think so...
No, cause then the parents would just sue the store because they can't control their own kids.

[wvgemini]

My mom used to work in a shop that did furniture upholstery. They had these massive fabric displays on the showfloor ( I have no idea how much these bolts weighed ... but there would be about 10 bolts per rack). Parents would let their kids PLAY on these things!!! She would tell the parnts to get their kids OFF the racks (um, obvious danger ... not to mention getting the fabric filthy) and most would just sigh and say something like "no no, don't do that"
They finally put up signs stating that they would not be held liable for parents who did not control their children. That and they charged one lady for cleaning bills after her kid came in with muddy shoes and climbed on top of a $75 a yard bolt of fabric that was brand new!

[abhedger]

I hate when parents let their kids wear those stupid heely shoes and slide around the stores. The other day at WalMart I'm walking with my cart and this girl skids out in front of me. I almost hit her and her mom is standing right there and doesn't say anything. Not "say you're sorry" or "watch where you're going" nothing. It annoys me to no end those shoes.

[oitzjustlisa]

That and they charged one lady for cleaning bills after her kid came in with muddy shoes and climbed on top of a $75 a yard bolt of fabric that was brand new!

Haha, good for them! I'm glad they held her responsible rather than just asking her to leave, like most stores do. :giggle2:

[oitzjustlisa]

I'm glad I'm not the only one annoyed to no end by those stupid heelies! My kids keep asking for them because "everyone else has them." We have no where for them to use them other than when we go out, and I'm not about to let my kids ride them in public places. So needless to say, we don't own any.

[Terra]

I have 2 good friends who take their 2yo to the mall for the express purpose of letting them run. I didn’t understand that was the purpose the first time I went and was horrified. I’ve declined subsequent invitations and told them that I didn’t want to teach her that that behavior is ok.

But, people are def crazy. To make a long story short, I went to Target a few weeks ago. I asked my dd (2.5) if she wanted to ride in a cart or on my back. It was raining and the carts were wet and she didn’t want to sit in it so I let her walk. I was at the end of an isle while she was looking at bikes in the cross isle, so I was kinda hidden but about 3ft away when a man approached her. He ran when I immediately popped out.

I KNOW he meant ill towards my dd. And this was in a nice target in a nice part of town etc.

A few months ago, a 6yo was snatched and horribly abused while his mother was at a computer in a LIBRARY just a few feet away.

My mother used to leave me in the toy isle when I was little for a few min too…. Gone are the times when kids could safely roam in store isles or hide in racks etc.

:cry: Oh that poor 6 yo!! I can't even imagine...

And thank God the man saw you!!! What a scary world!!! That's why I keep David so close to me and wore him as long as I could until I wasn't allowed to lift him anymore [pregnancy complications]. I always thought, we'll they're going to have to kill me first to get to my kiddo and I'll put up a he** of a fight!

[katesmash]

I was at Walmart a couple weeks ago and there were a couple kids (maybe 7 or 8 years old?) in the little area that has the rides and "claw" machine (that you use the claw to get a teddy bear or whatever). These kids were there, playing on the motorized carts (that are there for handicapped people) and ramming them into things. I have NO idea where the parents were.

[bean3]

What really bugs me is parents not buckling there kids into the carts and then the kid tries to get out.
I went to costco last weekend and it was REALLY crowded but I only saw ONE kid buckled in, the rest wernt. Um duh, there is a seatbelt there for a reason.

I also hate it when parents put their carseat on top of the cart - it's not safe even though sooo many people do it. Some carseats even say right on the side 'do not use on shopping carts'. The 'lock in' thing is designed to lock into the base or a stroller, not a cart. I saw one tip over with a carseat on top because some kids were running around and bumped it - the carseat made it top heavy and it fell right over - poor baby.

Most carts I get have the seatbelt broken on them. I usually keep my babies in their ring sling. IF I put them in the shopping cart seat, I buckle them in while they are learning to stay seated. After that, I don't panic about it because I have VERY compliant babies AND I stay right with them.

I hate the carseat on the shopping cart thing! I tried ONCE and it just did not sit in there well enough to make me at all comfortable. I ended up putting the carseat in the big part of the cart and making DH push another cart. Then I got smart and go to the store with the ring sling now!

[robertribeye]

I walk straight up to emplyees of the store and say there is a lost child on this isle. I know they are not lost. But atleast the employe yanks their buts up to customer service and calls their parents. It shocks the parents. It is not a daycare and you should be watching your children. Some people should have to take an apptitude test before they could concieve. Children are a gift and your responsibility. That's that.

[cassondruh]

I walk straight up to emplyees of the store and say there is a lost child on this isle. I know they are not lost. But atleast the employe yanks their buts up to customer service and calls their parents. It shocks the parents. It is not a daycare and you should be watching your children. Some people should have to take an apptitude test before they could concieve. Children are a gift and your responsibility. That's that.

hehehe... your story just gave me an idea... the next time I see a little one misbehaving and their parents are within distance (not paying attention) I will just say "Excuse me, are you LOST??" loud enough for the parents to hear... maybe that will catch their attention :giggle:

[bean3]

hehehe... your story just gave me an idea... the next time I see a little one misbehaving and their parents are within distance (not paying attention) I will just say "Excuse me, are you LOST??" loud enough for the parents to hear... maybe that will catch their attention :giggle:

Oooohhhh....do that!!!! I'm going to. :)

For the heelies, seriously, just plant yourself firmly and stick an elbow out.

We lived in Austin when I was pregnant with my daughter. I was waddling at 9 months, and we were going through a parking lot and into a store. Some moron decided we were taking too long to cross, so he started revving his engine and inching up on us. My DH took a fist to the hood of his car. He was worried the guy was going to clip our heels being so impatient. He does not have any patience when people threaten his family. Seriously, where did he have to go that was that darned important?

[Toby_99833]

I just heard a doozy. My hubby works in the radiology department and just had a little baby come in for a skull x-ray because his/her parents left him/her in their car seat (unstrapped he thinks) and the baby fell. :cry: Poor baby!

[Terra]

Oooohhhh....do that!!!! I'm going to. :)

For the heelies, seriously, just plant yourself firmly and stick an elbow out.

We lived in Austin when I was pregnant with my daughter. I was waddling at 9 months, and we were going through a parking lot and into a store. Some moron decided we were taking too long to cross, so he started revving his engine and inching up on us. My DH took a fist to the hood of his car. He was worried the guy was going to clip our heels being so impatient. He does not have any patience when people threaten his family. Seriously, where did he have to go that was that darned important?

Me too!! Oh I have to go to Wal*Mart tonight so maybe an opportunity will present itself!:giggle:

I just heard a doozy. My hubby works in the radiology department and just had a little baby come in for a skull x-ray because his/her parents left him/her in their car seat (unstrapped he thinks) and the baby fell. :cry: Poor baby!

:cry: :cry:

[tina197]

...and what exactly would you do with a crawler, being stuck in a crowded ER for hours? Keep him/her in your arms or possibly the child will sit quietly in a chair :roflmbo: Seriously, soap and water. The child will be fine, I'm sure. It's not like the furniture is any less germ infested...it's an ER room!! I'm going to side with the lady that thought it was no big deal. I've spent 6 hours in an ER room before...it was BORING and MISERABLE!!! Shoot, I was ready to crawl on the floor...at least it would've been a change of scenery :giggle2:

Nope, sorry....it's gross. I would walk with that child, stroll with that child, stuff snacks down that child, but no floor....no way. And I've been in the ER with my LO, who was a crawler at the time, and I managed just fine!:thumbsup:

[tasbaby]

My DS is 3 and seems to be selectively deaf. I do keep him in the cart 90% of the time, but he does love to get out and walk too. On more than one occasion he has taken off running, so I wind up running after him to catch him. He gets one chance though...then he's in the cart! Running through the store to catch him is not my idea of fun!

[MarinesFamily5]

a couple months ago we dealt with a lady who left her 3 LO's.... alone.. in the parking lot.. in her UNlocked suburban ... when she came out of the store she had a soda in her hand and a bag...
(yes we called the cops on her)

to top it off she only had the baby in a car seat... the 4 year old and 6? year old were not in anything!

ETA: I put my lil ds, in his car seat, on the cart. but... I put it on the basket and use the bucle and strap it to the handle so it doesn't slide.
I have DD in the seat but she knows how to undo those anyways