Does anyone have any tips for taking a toddler to the grocery store? She hates being buckled in and always ends up standing up in the seat, screaming for me. (Cue the angry looks from others because she’s standing in her seat) and If I do buckle her in, she screams from being buckled in… Grocery pickup is booked until Wednesday!
9 Likes
I put my toddler in an ERGO and carry on my back
1 Like
I put my toddler in the main basket. Yes I know it’s not recommended but he gets to stand or sit and he gets to help hand me groceries to put on the conveyor belt when checking out. Keeps him distracted and not screaming
6 Likes
I let them pick out a snack and eat it in the cart. Gold fish, a doughnut. Whatever it takes 
yes we get some looks but I always pay at the end and figure it’s better then screaming
5 Likes
I give my kids my phone or let them eat an apple or banana
1 Like
Don’t take her. Go when someone can watch her for you.
2 Likes
I ended up just putting them in the cart not the seat .
Make a small run just for essentials - use your stroller and carry a basket. Probably be a pain but she may be happier and you won’t lose your sanity, and right now the grocery carts are so full of germs she’s probably better off anyway.
2 Likes
Instacart is my life right now.
Mine get a snack and I get them those juice bottles with the fancy lids. Keeps them occupied for me to do extreme grocery shopping as fast as possible - they’re 2&3
2 Likes
They need to learn to sit so after long enough making them they will. Don’t worry about people around you because they’ve more than likely been in the same position.
6 Likes
Just buckle your child and don’t let them have an option it works but you have to be consistent
5 Likes
Take a phone with a movie on it or give them snacks while walking around
1 Like
Put her in the big part put a box of diapers or something down tell her she had new seat
I always have a snack and my IPhone and let them watch there fav show!
I always shopped like a nascar driver lol
I always got mine a toy to play with, then went shopping & put the toy back before we left if I didn’t want to buy it. He loved going shopping and was such a good boy 
Can you distract her with something from the produce department? Or the deli might give her a free fruit/cookie. Mine eats straight From the grapes or cherry tomato container while I shop.
Letting her play on a tablet or phone.
I always took a seat insert the cloth one with animals etc so my girls sat in comfort not other kids germs etc
I keep lollypops in my purse lol she’s not allowed them at home only in the buggy so she looks forward to it
Baby wear lol or snacks.
My toddler likes sitting in the cart part not the seat more room
We put my 2 year old in the basket part. Give him a baggy of snacks and my phone.
All these people saying take toys. Take a tablet. Let her do this… let her do that. Idk how old she is, but pay no attention to her. You’re the mother, she’s the child. She needs to learn. All you’re teaching her by giving her a tablet to watch or buying her a toy is encouraging her behavior. And screw the “angry looks”. I don’t care what anyone says, at one point or another, every child has thrown a fit in public. This means that ever parent, even the ones throwing dirty looks, has been in your shoes. When mine were little, I would embarrass them. If they started throwing a fit and crying, I would start throwing a fit and crying. That usually worked. Made me look like an idiot in the store for 5 minutes, but my kids didn’t do it to many more times. I also engaged my toddlers when at the grocery store. I would ask them to help me. Ex. Should we get the red one or the blue one? The big one or the little one? This one or that one? Etc. it occupied them.
4 Likes
I let mine sit in the back part because he’s too big for the front. Also, I bribe my kid (not ashamed lmao)…I tell him if he’s good, he can have a cookie (or whatever I have that I know he likes). If he starts to act up, I remind him there’s a cookie /etc. waiting for him at home.
I also try to make trips quick, 30 mins or less. For big grocery hauls, I do online order or have him stay home with hubby.
Woolworths do a delivery in 1 hr and 40 mins makes life so much easier with 3 kids who hate going food shopping
I have 2 and 3 year olds. The 2 year old rides on the riding part of buggy and 3 year old helps push the buggy. If they cry, they cry. Business as usual. I do what I have to do with screaming children. They will survive and you will survive the people staring.
I try not to reward bad behavior. I feel like giving snacks, phones, or distractions is rewarding the child and he/she learns to scream to get rewarded.
1 Like
I put my son in the main basket. How is she at walking? I know it’s a pain having to help them and make sure they don’t go Cookie Monster on the shelves, but I let my son walk the first few aisles and then he ends up tired enough to ride. Also, I bribe him. If he gets grumpy, he can watch Baby Shark on my phone, in the cart sitting down, til we leave. Do I get dirty looks? Yep. Do I give a rat’s ass? Nope, bc I’m getting the groceries peacefully and he’s happy for a while.
children have to learn
Usually my 1.5year old rides in the basket. If he gets antsy we move to the big basket. If that doesn’t work I let him down and “employ” him to help me by putting stuff in the basket. When that falls apart I have a cute little backpack with a leash that I put on him. If that fails he goes back in the small basket and gets buckled in until he can behave again.
Sometimes it all fails and I spend the whole trip ignoring glares from judgy people and I dont care anymore.
I find giving them “tasks” can help. Like helping me find things or pointing out colors or putting things in the basket etc etc etc.
if I’m too tired and emotionally drained to deal with any of that (Its WORK and takes ALOT of energy and devotion) i wait until Dad and Older brother can come and then we divide and conquer lol
Mmmmm maybe book the grocery spot on Wednesday and then go pick up milk bread and what ever else you need but can throw in the basket, and walk holding their hand. This is what changed my toddlers grocery behaviour. It’s frustration from wanting to be free. So they be free, while holding your hand, and then I just get the pull along basket. So much easier than reinforcing bad behaviour. Aaaand then they get to feel grown for a bit.
I got a cart cover that has toys and a slot you put your phone in and zip it so they can play a game while you shop!
Video tape the child throwing a fit and show him/her what they look like doing that. Don’t cave or bribe. That’s only starting bad habits. Make a list have them hold it and go
Over it with them so they are included to. It doesn’t have to be a real list. Ask them for there opinions on different items. And simply praised them for doing a good job.
My son just turned 2 and I really dont want to chase him so he sits in the cart and I make up silly songs and dance with the cart…it keeps him entertained and we have a great time shopping.
Snacks! Let her hold random stuff from your cart until she’s bored and give her something else.
I play a game with my son find something blue find something red do u see a circle ect. Teaching and having fun!
I let my girls help me push the cart, or I let them sit in the basket of the cart. Give them my phone with a movie or for them to do art on an app on my phone.
Two words. Grocery pick up
Basket part, and behave or you don’t get to come. I have picked them up and walked out of the store once or twice. Then when they ask why they can’t come I tell them point blank. Also make sure they are not hungry.
Look for the store with the car carts.
I always bribed my kids with the free cookie from the bakery. No cookie until we’re heading the check out and only if they sat or walked good while shopping… I have 2 boys a year apart so it wasn’t easy getting them to not act like fools that belong on WWE but it worked well enough.
You strap her in. You tell her that is where she sits and she has to put the seatbelt. People will absolutely stare at u when she screams. But ur parenting your child, dont care about the looks. You show her when u go to the store that is how it has to be and she will learn. It might take 3 times, or it could take 50. But dont let other random people interfere with you parenting your child! If she begins to be too much you take her outside until she decides to calm down, mayb its 5min or maybe its an hour. But u have to teach her how she has to behave when u go out. Ignore the stares from others!!! Good luck
5 Likes
Make a list that has pictures and make it like a hunt. As you pick up you get your groceries have then check them off the list. That way they think they’re helping and keeps them entertained
1 Like
My daughter is a supermarket nightmare lol. She can get the buckles undone and will stand in the seat part so I tried snacks and putting her in the big part neither worked coz she would start trying to throw our items out of the trolley. I have purchased a harness thing from baby city it’s a backpack for her to wear and me to hold the lead part. So far it’s working! And I dont have a miserable time trying to juggle her and the shopping. Shes 1 and half.
My youngest does best when she’s helping. Like getting things for me, putting things in the basket, etc. she likes to walk 
I’m about to strap her leash on though
Though I have had to shop while she was crying before
Like, I’m not the type of parent who stops what I’m doing because she’s throwing a fit. I have things to do. Wether she’s crying or not, we finish shopping lol
I think the big reason toddlers throw tantrums is because they want you to stop and pay attention to them. That doesn’t fly in my house. Tantrums get 0 attention and F anyone who gives me a dirty look 
1 Like
I bring snacks. Always! or I let her watch videos on my phone.
Bring the iPad or just giver her your phone for videos/games.
As with everything in life, toddlers need to be taught the rules. Buckle her in and give her some special snacks or an item to entertain her. Keep trips with her very short and positive, longer trips without her. If she didn’t like being buckled in her car seat I’m guessing she would still be buckled in for the ride no matter the reaction. Always safety first. I’ve made many a trips with a screaming toddler, consistency and remind her of the rules and pretend the crying doesn’t bother you during check out
Give her stuff to put in the trolley behind her, help mummy do the shopping, keep her busy
Put her in the actual cart? Let her stand then just pile on the groceries .
1 Like
I’m getting a mini cart so my baby can shop with me. He’s super active and it seems like a good idea. He likes to help
Mine goes through stages of doing well and being a terror in the grocery store. She is almost three and banned from coming to stores with me for the time being. Last time was HORRENDOUS and I just needed a few things. When I feel brave again I’ll start with small trips and then start teaching if you can’t behave while shopping we will go home.
1 Like
Tablet and snacks… keep her eyes, mouth and hands busy 
Put in the bigger part. Throw some snacks in there with their iPad (or your phone if they don’t have one of their own)…whatever it takes with life already being a bit extra right now!
I worked retail for 25 years. Strap your child in I would rather listen to a fit of crying than see her topple out of the cart and hit her head so hard she is unconscious for a moment or her hanging over the side of the cart so far she catches her head on the metal corner of a fixture and blood is squirting all over. Yes I have seen this. Giving a child their way is not always the way. You wouldn’t let one run wild in a busy parking lot please do not let them make decisions they are not mature enough to make.
10 Likes
I bought a SmartTrike , I push that and drag the cart behind me. It’s really easy and my daughter enjoys it and makes shopping so much easier. We take it every where and it folds up super small
My toddler is 2 and she just enjoys strapping her self in and out, keeps her busy, I also spin the trolley round and make it like a little game, I may look silly but she loves it
Snacks and videos on my phone when he gets too antsy.
You are the parent, not her… Now is the time for her to know that. My girls never, and I mean never acted up when we were shopping. Had many compliments too!
1 Like
My two gems were the same way & 13 months apart. I just went when it was less crowded and let them walk and help get things off the shelf. Sometimes it was a disaster but it was that or starvation. Ignore the dirty looks people will judge you no matter what you do
My granddaughter would do that when her daddy took her shopping and tell her she could pick one thing out,if she throwed (probably not spelled right) a fit her dad would put the cold stuff back at go home without any groceries, after a couple times eating whatever they had at home she straightened up and was the best mannered kid in the store,I guess eating hotdog sauce sandwiches taught her a lesson
I let mine walk and put things in the cart. Some she even gets to pick. Like which of these snacks do you want? Great now put it in the cart. What fruit do you want? Great now put it in the cart. Make them do the work. Makes them and me tired instead of just me.
1 Like
Try giving a tablet or a phone. I give my son a phone and bring him his favorite finger snack (Cheetos, veggie straws, dry cereal, etc) also something to drink in their cup. Keeps them quiet, not for long but it can help. People will judge u for anything, even if ur child has a electronic… so do what’s best for you. My daughter was horrible in the stores my son is soo good and my other daughter is horrible also. Every child is different. Just because someone says oh their child is great doesn’t mean every child is (in stores). Try the tablet or ur phone is the best put her favorite show on YouTube or her favorite game.
Buckle her in and give her a tablet/ your phone to watch a show. That’s the only thing that gets my kids to behave in the store. I get dirty looks but at least I’m not worried about them screaming and can focus on grocery shopping lol
If she wants to walk let her! Saves on the meltdowns, schedule extra time to shop in, who cares what angry looks you get? Shes only young once you should both enjoy it, my 11 month old is just finding his feet, wants to be on them constantly as soon as he starts shouting in the trolley out he comes. And he walks holding my hand. Itll always be a lot easier if shes happy x
Make it fun!
Ask her if she wants to take her favorite toy! Choose some fruits or crackers etc!
I used to also sit my son in the basket too. He loved arranging the boxes.
When my son was little we lived near Meijer. A pony ride is 1¢. I used to give him pennies to hold onto. He couldn’t drop them. If he grabbed stuff off the shelf he got 1 taken away At the end he could ride "Sandy"as many times as he had pennies left. He was so busy concentrating on those pennies he rarely took things off the shelves. I know you may not live near Meijer. But maybe you can think of something he has to take care of to get a reward? Maybe if he holds his 5 pennies the whole trip he can get 5 M&Ms? Be prepared to add extras too for exceptional behavior! Positive reinforcement is best.
2 Likes
Honestly u do what u feel is best and don’t worry about anyone else in that store! I am currently going through the same thing and at first I was worried as well but its my kids and other people should mind there own business bc I heard other kids get upset and I just mind my business bc I know what the mom is going through!
Put her in the basket and keep a close eye on her. I have seen kids flip out of carts.
I used to let my daughter take her little play shopping trolley so she could ‘help’ - it stopped her getting bored.
2 Likes
I used to skid around corners with the trolly, spin it around when we were in an empty aisle. Say “right dot we need … where is that. What is it on the floor/ceiling/her ears. Well where is it” its exhausting but works pretty well
1 Like
My one year old enjoys riding in the big part so he can stand. So ill just walk and pull the cart from the front or side so I can be next to him.
I also use a toddler leash and just pick up whatever he gets down🤷♀️ its not fun but he enjoys it and it wears him out
1 Like
Bust her ass if she’s two and older. 
Once mine was big enough he just stood in the trolley.
I’d get him to help pick things. A lollipop occasionally if I really wanted peace lol
Bring snacks and play games with her like I spy. I know its tough especially nowadays. Good luck
1 Like
Put her in the bigger section with groceries 
she can stand and hang on. Maybe help pick an item or two of the shelves from there. Worked for me for a while, now he wants to walk and help shop
4 Likes
Don’t go close to nap time, bring snacks, and sometimes he sits in the bottom of the cart.
Put her in the basket so she has room to wiggle but tell her she has to sit on her butt or she’ll go back to being buckled in the “baby seat”.
3 Likes
Make sure shes not tired when you go. I bring a sucker for my daughter if i do take her. I usually always go when their dad’s home though .
A little swat on the bottom
8 Likes
I have the same problem. Only solution: just don’t take them!
.try a back harness and let her walk beside you
Give her the list. Maybe make one with a few pics so they can help. Or let them walk and explore (discuss rules of staying close to a parent, and no running before you enter. And make sure they know that if they wander or run then they have to go back into the uncomfortable seat in the cart. Educate/show them new and interesting food at the store. Bring a toy. Grab a toy off the shelf to play with until you leave . Offer them something before or after, either take to a park before to get the wiggles out or let them decide what to have for dinner leaving one ingredient you need for very last so that when they are impatient. You can say you don’t have all the ingredients for their special dinner that they picked
It sounds like she wants independence, you just have to figure oi out how to safely do that. My toddlers options are you either hold the cart, or you hold my hand or you ride. He usually helps push till hes bored of that and I ask if hes ready to ride and he has no problem sitting in the cart
1 Like
Put her in an ergo on your back
1 Like
If I have to bring my 2 year old son with and he gets cranky I grab a package of donut holes from the bakery section and try to finish my shopping before he demolishes the entire thing…#momoftheyear
4 Likes
If you believe in spanking spank her teach her not be acting wild. There’s a time and place for everything and eventually they need to learn that you just don’t act that way, if you don’t believe in that then the. try leaving them at home or give them a toy/food to keep them entertained.
2 Likes
Sometimes when my daughter (she’s two) just isn’t having it, I let her stand in front of me and push the basket. She can’t really see where she’s going, but I’m still pushing it, so I navigate the way. That way, I know where she is at all times and she’s happy she gets her freedom. lol
Take a little purse of self distraction items so you can get er done and she can be chill with herself.
Slap her little Ass!!
4 Likes
Take it from a mom whos 1 year old has fallen out of the cart and had to go to the emergency room. You have to MAKE them sit down and stay buckled in. Be persistent. Sit them back down as many times as you have to. I thought he would never learn but he does so good now. Even at restaraunts in his high chair. I always give him something to play with too and try to go after naptime. I know its hard. And I know its embarrassing. But they will get there.
3 Likes
We got to where I had to order groceries and do pick up, all kids go thru this phase but some are just worse than others. Sadly mine was one of the worse ones
1 Like
Make sure she’s not tired, give her a snack or something to munch on, a toy, maybe even an electronic. Only give her your phone/tablet when you go to the store so she’s occupied and looks forward to it
2 Likes
Get her involved in shopping . She can help in some small ways
2 Likes
Envolve her in the shopping. Sit with her to make your list letting her have input. Give her a crayon to mark off items as you purchase. Read item from. List and have her help you find it. Let her help to decide which of 2 items you buy such as 2 pieces of produce.
Babysitter? When mine were old enough I had them help “push” my cart, standing in front of me with their hands on the cart, “pushing”…I was doing the pushing, not them. Delivery to your home? I’d tell them if they didn’t behave we were leaving and there were times we did. Yelling was out of the question, my 5 learned early on, that if I raised my voice at them, not much would happen, but when I leaned down and spoke softly in their ear, it was serious. The follow through with the threat. Such as "one more time we leave and when we get home no TV, or some such activity you know your child likes. Even young ones know what it mean. Folliw through with the consequence.
My son is 2 and he hates having to sit in the seat but i make him. When its just me and him he does good and sits. I give him the baggies or the phone or some snack to keep him busy. When dad is around its a whole different story bc he knows the second he starts whining dad is quick to pick him up and carry him:roll_eyes: Which benefits noone it just makes him get his way. After awhile hes walking around and likes to help push the cart which is fine. But baby number 2 is on the way so i cant imagine the work its gonna be 