Shopping with 2 Year Old - South Lyon,MI

When I was shopping and had young toddlers, I went alone and dad stayed home. Always! He stopped at the store on his way home for those unexpected items. I planned much better back then. I didn't feel they "needed"to learn how to behave in a store at age 2. 3 was plausible. The negative outweighed the positive. As I recall, I was so offended by my oldest at age 2 and his behavior. I had always been able to control things and suddenly he wanted to be in charge. I felt like something was wrong. By 2nd and 3rd child I understood the growth pattern and was able to handle it with less insult.
I think a lot could depend on what's going on when both parents are there. It could be the opportunity to teach since 1 can follow through on discipline while the other gets things done. 2 is young, but state the expectations, firmly but lovingly, state the consequence, and follow through with no "warnings". In the store with you alone, you should always be willing to walk away from your cart and leave if his behavior gets too bad. The reference to Super Nanny, Jo Frost, is a good one. She has a book, too. There's a lot of good discipline books and I would recommend learning some techniques.

my daughter does that, too. i found if i bring an arsenal of toys to keep her busy and play counting and a,b,c games (and have a list and shop fast) she's ok. i try to get her to point to the blue boxes and count the babies in this aisle and play peek a boo with mommy, occationally i'll let her hold something that is for her. sometimes if i'm at a superstore, i'll grab a new toy or book for her to look at and then leave it with the cashier on the way out. also the promise of a horsey ride after shopping will sometimes give her motivation to try her best to sit still. i also have her help me load up the conveyer belt and hand the casier the credit card. non sugary snacks also help keep her busy. good luck!

My son had done that too, and I have found that having him help me in the store works best.
I have him help push the cart, or to grab the box of whatever that I need, things like that. Now, it's usually me helping him help me, and time wise, that means we never have a super quick run in and out trip, but we do have a much more pleasent trip.

Hi Cindy!
I'm sorry shopping is such a horrible experience! I'll give you some good news and bad news: I now have a 5 1/2 year old that was the same way. The good news is now he is very good in the store. (It only took 5 years!) He is my one and only! The only thing I can recommend is either have your husband watch him while you go shopping or get a sitter! I know exactly what you are going through! A good book to read that has helped me is "1,2,3 Magic" by Phelan. Let me know if I can be of any other help! My child was the same way when he was 2! Good Luck!

You don't watch Supernanny on Wed. nights, do you. I saw this behavior on one program of it. Take the kid out of the cart, find a low shelf and make it the naughty place to sit. 2 Years old-2 minutes. If the kid gets up, mom puts kid back in the naughty place w/out saying a word. When they stay in place, mom gets them, explains why they had to sit there, exacts an apology, hugs, and they go on their way.