How do you go shopping alone with a toddler and an infant?

How do you go shopping with your toddler and infant. DD is 2 years 7 months and hates sitting in the stroller. She screams to let her out but if I do she wants to run wild. I have a citi mini double and my 7 month old is fine sitting there but not my toddler. How do I shop with the 2 of them? Any tips

How do you go shopping alone with a toddler and an infant?

I found there is no easy answer. I try to leave them home with DH but that isn't always possible.

I have, with no shame, resorted to bribery. I have found both DDs (now 2 and 4) will sit if they have a package of fruit snacks or a lollipop. A package of cheerios, something small that requires their attention. Also, I let them help, even if it's a task I make up. Oh here, hold the ticket for the milk. Oh ok, which box?

How do you go shopping alone with a toddler and an infant?

I go shopping ATLEAST 2-3 a week and always bring dd who is 2. Its like our thing. She is my shopping buddy. She wakes up and asks to go shopping sometimes. So I guess because she likes it it is easy for me. She doea get antsy sometimes but I bring an arsenol of snacks, toys and her tablet.

Re: How do you go shopping alone with a toddler and an infant?

I have a 3 year 8 month old son and 2 1/2 year old daughter. I don't plan any serious shopping with them as I usually can't think straight. I keep it to small jaunts. Grocery shopping is a little easier as I ask them to help.

Hopefully this gets better soon!

Re: How do you go shopping alone with a toddler and an infant?

I have 2 DDs almost 3 and 1.5.
I very rarely take them out to the stores together. They both hate the stroller, they both don't like to sit in the carts and if they do they both fight for the front. Then they scream throughout the store for toys, food, they want to get out and walk etc. it's very hard and I really don't try very much anymore. I go either at night when DH gets home or if my mom meets us out somewhere to help.

Re: How do you go shopping alone with a toddler and an infant?

Ds is two and a half and ds2 is 9 months and honestly, I only go shopping with them if dh is with me. It's just too much for me.

Re: How do you go shopping alone with a toddler and an infant?

Bribery and patience and consistency. The more you go out the more they will get used to it.

Re: How do you go shopping alone with a toddler and an infant?

Re: How do you go shopping alone with a toddler and an infant?

i do it all the time. while its not easy, i cant rely on my DH who is always working and my mom watches my kids all wk so on weekends I wont bother her. I have to get my errands done on weekends since I work all wk.

Twins are in strollers and DD is 5 so lots of snacks on hand, and I try to get them after naps so they are in a good mood.

I do it so often, they are used to it and are petty good.

Message edited 12/31/2012 11:39:57 AM.

Re: How do you go shopping alone with a toddler and an infant?

I bribe them with food -

Re: How do you go shopping alone with a toddler and an infant?

I have almost 2 year old twins and I take them all the time. Dd is becoming difficult in the stroller lately though. I bring lots of snacks (special ones they don't have often) and a few small toys. I make sure I have a list because sometimes I can't think straight when I am with them.

How do you go shopping alone with a toddler and an infant?

My older ds hatred the stroller but loves the sit and stand.

Re: How do you go shopping alone with a toddler and an infant?

Keep it short.
One store.
Food OR clothes OR pharmacy.

I let the 2.5 year old walk. The little one is usually in a baby carrier.

Yes, he (the big one) touches EVERYTHING. I put it back... but at least he doesn't scream.

It lasts 30 minutes at most.

If you mean clothing shopping for myself... there is no relaxed clothing shopping anymore. I leave DH with one kid & I take the other.

Re: How do you go shopping alone with a toddler and an infant?

My dd is 3 and my ds is almost 1 I have yet to go shopping alone with the two of them. I do take them to the pediatrician alone though and that is always an adventure.

Re: How do you go shopping alone with a toddler and an infant?

I never had a choice. DH works up to 7 days a week and if I wanted to get something done, I took the kids. Now I have 3, a 10 month old and a 6 and 8 year old. It's a challenge at any age.

When they were younger, I made sure they each had a sippy cup, cup of cheerios, etc. I didn't overload the day, so one errand with them and we headed home.

Re: How do you go shopping alone with a toddler and an infant?

I usually leave one of them with my DH or we go as a family. It's impossible to go shopping with them together, they both hate their strolller (City Mini).

Re: How do you go shopping alone with a toddler and an infant?

i have a 4 1/2 year old and an 11 month old. I always take them shopping as i work FT and my husband is on rotating shifts, so we have no choice sometimes.

My toddler has always had the rule of... he either sits in the stroller, in the cart or nicely holds my hand. If he can't behave, he doesn't get to go (he likes to go).

Re: How do you go shopping alone with a toddler and an infant?

I have 2.5yo twins and a 9mo. I take them out every day I am not at work. I dragged them out since birth so they are just used to it. Today we went to Roosevelt Field. Saved Disney Store for last so it gave them something to look forward to. We count things as we walk along. How many bears are in that store? That sort of thing. I do bribe them w/ food too.

Re: How do you go shopping alone with a toddler and an infant?

I wear my 7 month old and hold my 3 yo hand.

If ODD behaves, she gets a treat of her choice- usually chocolate milk or half a donut.

Re: How do you go shopping alone with a toddler and an infant?

I never take them clothing shopping, but grocery shopping I keep quick, short trips and only a few items (that I can throw under my double stroller. (I have a 3.5 yr old, 20 mth old and 8 mth old)

The 3.5 yr old walks while the other two are in the stroller, but I don't think she would have walked last year.. it will get easier. Oh and for large grocery lists I wait until someone can watch them , or use peapod.

Re: How do you go shopping alone with a toddler and an infant?