Speak!
Posted: March 16, 2010 Filed under: Dangerous Book for Boys 9 CommentsHey all you people that I think read my blog:
Leave a comment on this post! I’m asking your opinion! How often does that happen?
So here’s the deal. I’m crazy weird, but I want to know if you are too. When I go shopping with the Bwun, especially grocery shopping, I get back to the car with a cart full of fun things (or vegetables). Several things must be accomplished before I can head home: the groceries and the Bwun have to be put in the car, and the cart has to be returned to not-by-the-trunk.
I put the groceries away first – unless it’s raining or snowing (which has been known to happen a time or two), when the Bwun gets put in first. In nice weather, I take the Bwun out of his little perch in the cart and carry him with me while I return the shopping cart. Personally, I think steering the cart with one hand is more than a little tricky, but I’ve gotten pretty good at it. The problem is when the weather is bad. The Bwun is safely stowed in his carseat, the groceries are tucked in the trunk, and then…I have to walk away from the car to put the cart back. Am I paranoid for expecting that one day, some clever fiend is going to take advantage of my very temporary, very cautious distance from the car and snatch the Bwun?
If I’ve put the Bwun away, and it’s snowing or raining, I can’t leave a window down, and I worry about somehow stupidly locking myself out of the car (bound to happen at least once, I suppose) – with the Bwun inside. So I’m afraid that in the 5 or 10 seconds I’m gone some mastermind will see the unlocked car with the world’s cutest kid inside (plus those tasty veggies) and kidnap the Bwun. By taking my car.
Unrealistic, right?
What do you do when you’re loading groceries and kids in the car?
I also am deeply concerned, and probably overly cautious about it as a result, that while I’m putting the Bwun in the car, someone will snatch my diaper bag (doubles as a purse, so my wallet is inside). It’s too big to hold onto when I bundle the Bwun into his carseat, and when it’s pouring rain outside, getting him out of the rain is my first priority, so the bag is sitting in the cart with my groceries.
Like I said, crazy weird, but I’d rather be anticipating that criminal masterminds lurk in grocery store parking lots than surprised when I turn around and find the Bwun is gone.
You may comment now.
Jarom
Mika
hilleries 
You live in Utah. Chill. Everything will be fine. Besides, I think rain and snow dampen evil-people’s evil plans!
I personally would put the bag over my arm before picking up the Bwun and then deposit it on the seat while placing him in the carseat. But as long as you are within sight-distance of the car for the minute or two it takes to replace the cart, I think you’re fine. And that’s my opinion. Of course, you are genetically disposed to anxiety regardless of how reasonable it is, so try to enjoy it!
Just leave the cart wherever you’re parked. Your child stays safe, and the shopping cart putter-awayers keep their jobs.
I’m PARANOID about the same stuff, and have been since the 1st time I went shopping with Eve! I know it’s a bit inconsiderate, but i leave the cart by the car. If there’s a curb close by, I put the 2 front wheels of the cart over it, so the cart doesn’t roll all over. I also hide a key under my car in a magnetic thing in a place that would be difficult to find if you don’t know it’s there, in case I lock Eve in (yes, I locked her in the car once, luckily it wasn’t 120 degrees yet because it was morning…)
I ran into this problem the first time I took Katie shopping. I put Katie in the car, and then realized that I had a cart…and what are you supposed to do with that? I have problems with leaving carts just lying around in the parking lot, but there was no cart return nearby. I ended up sprinting the cart somewhere away from the cars and closer to the store, and then ran back to the car.
Since that anxiety-filled trip, I make it a point to park next to a cart return whenever possible. This often means walking further to get into the store, but it means that I look like less of a maniac as I avoid carrying too many things or sprinting across the parking lot.
My other option is to carry the carrier in one hand, and the bags in the other–this only works when there are very few groceries though.
I’m new at this, but so far it’s worked out pretty well. There’s one grocery store here that even has spots next to the cart return labeled, “for patrons with children.” Now THAT is a fancy grocery store.
I usually just keep him in the cart while I load up the groceries. I don’t take him out until i have pushed the cart back to the cart holder place. To be fair, I have not had to really go shopping in bad weather.
So, I don’t usually [ok, we can just make that EVER] have children that I load into the car, but does my purse count? I usually put it in the “kid spot” of the cart…
Anyway, I’m pretty paranoid about my wallet/keys/phone (since I don’t always carry a purse). I think I’m the worst at Costco. I usually chuck my wallet and my phone in the car, then load the groceries, then lock the car, then return the cart, then return to the car, unlock the car, lock the car, and drive off. I can’t possibly NOT return the cart, I hate it when people don’t return their carts after use. It bothers me.
Now we’re talking crazy… but you asked! :)
When I have Angie with me I do not look for the closest parking spot to the store but the closest parking spot to a cart return. In CA we are lucky to have good weather most of the time so I usually leave her in the cart and we both walk the cart back. When it is not nice weather I put her in the car first and get the cart back a quickly as I can or be one of those horrible people to leave it in the parking area. I try and make up for this by grabbing a cart from the parking area when I arrive for shopping if there is one nearby of helping someone that is leaving by taking their cart for them. I keep my car keys in my pocket and not in the car.
Paranoia, welcome to motherhood ;) I am in the same boat.
I will comment! I just can’t at the moment. Gotta run.
Okay…I finally have a few minutes! I too try to find a spot right next to a cart return. When we get back to the car I put the boys in, close their doors and let them play around in the back seat while I load groceries. Next I load the groceries into the trunk. If there isn’t a spot open next to a cart return I still do everything the same way, except I’ll buckle them in before I return the cart, and then I’ll quickly return the cart. I also keep my keys in my pocket. I don’t fear that someone is going to take my boys, my fear is that someone will see the boys just sitting in the car while I’m returning the cart and think that some terrible mother has left her kids in the car while she does the shopping. Personally, I think there should be cart returns at the front, middle and back of all parking lots.