Question:
Sara, Let me put it this way: Which is more important? Putting a cart in the cart coral, (when they have cart boys who collect carts anyway) or leaving your son in a car for 30 seconds and out of your sight (hmm isn’t that all it takes to nab a kid)? I’m not slamming you honey. I’ve played the same question in my head. Invariably, the cart ends up parked in the front of the parking space in which my car is parked. Carol
Response:
Same here. In addition, my grocery store has helpers to take groceries to your car. I don’t use the help cos then they have to stand around while I buckle the kids in, but I do ask them to come get my cart when they are done with the next customer in line. Usually, by the time I am putting the second or third child into the car, the assistant is heading my way. –Janet Elliot, Hanna, Connor (10/21/96)
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> We have resolved this problem by parking as near to the cart drop off as we > can, rather than as near to the door as we can. Usually there is a parking > space within one car of the drop off point. > – Aula > > What is the proper thing to do when you get groceries to your car, and > > the nearest cart drop off is 6 spaces away. I have been loading my > > groceries and son in the car, then taking the cart to the drop off. > > However, last time I did this, a lady looked at my son in the car like I > > just dumped him in there while I went shopping. I ran to the car and > > told her I was not a bad mom, and she said "I know you aren’t". I don’t > > know whether to leave the cart in the parking lot or continue doing what > > I am doing. If I take my son with me to drop off the cart, he kicks and > > screams as I carry him back. He won’t walk with me, and I feel like I am > > a kidnapper. Personal emails are great, more convenient than checking > > the ng. Thanks for all input. > For safety reasons, since my daughter is just as likely to get out of the > car and run into traffic, I usually put the groceries in the car, then > take > the cart to the drop off, with daughter still in the car. I’m not as > careful where my son is concerned, since he is 8 years old. > — > Danielle, > Maman to Marc-Andre – May 22, 1991 and Genevieve – Dec. 18, 1995 > Writing from Canada > Parent-L Birth secretary > Visit my new web-page, view new pics of the kids, and, please, sign my > guest-book!! http://members.tripod.com/~dchenier/home.html > My new Special Education page: > http://members.tripod.com/~dchenier/canspec.html > My ICQ # is 6463692
Response:
> Also, shoping carts have a tendancy to roll. I left my duagher in the cart > seat one time and while I was reaching to put a bag into the back fo the car > the cart–and my duaghter–started to roll away. Thankfully there was a fast > thinking gentleman walking by who grabbed her. I never left them in the > cart agin–always got the kdis out first. > Lesa
At one supermarket I used to go to there was a downward slope on one edge of the parking lot. I always prop the trolley against the car while I’m unloading the bags to avoid it rolling but after I had done this I pushed it to the side to close the boot (Maia was already out of the trolley and in the car) and before I could stop it it rolled the six feet to the edge and rolled over and down to the bottom. — Leonie Lawson Co-Creator of Maia Shea (19/11/96) and Casta Grace (9/8/98) dum vivimus, vivamus (while we live, let us live)
Response:
We have resolved this problem by parking as near to the cart drop off as we can, rather than as near to the door as we can. Usually there is a parking space within one car of the drop off point. – Aula
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> What is the proper thing to do when you get groceries to your car, and > the nearest cart drop off is 6 spaces away. I have been loading my > groceries and son in the car, then taking the cart to the drop off. > However, last time I did this, a lady looked at my son in the car like I > just dumped him in there while I went shopping. I ran to the car and > told her I was not a bad mom, and she said "I know you aren’t". I don’t > know whether to leave the cart in the parking lot or continue doing what > I am doing. If I take my son with me to drop off the cart, he kicks and > screams as I carry him back. He won’t walk with me, and I feel like I am > a kidnapper. Personal emails are great, more convenient than checking > the ng. Thanks for all input. > For safety reasons, since my daughter is just as likely to get out of the > car and run into traffic, I usually put the groceries in the car, then take > the cart to the drop off, with daughter still in the car. I’m not as > careful where my son is concerned, since he is 8 years old. > — > Danielle, > Maman to Marc-Andre – May 22, 1991 and Genevieve – Dec. 18, 1995 > Writing from Canada > Parent-L Birth secretary > Visit my new web-page, view new pics of the kids, and, please, sign my > guest-book!! http://members.tripod.com/~dchenier/home.html > My new Special Education page: > http://members.tripod.com/~dchenier/canspec.html > My ICQ # is 6463692
Response:
> What is the proper thing to do when you get groceries to your car, and > the nearest cart drop off is 6 spaces away. I have been loading my > groceries and son in the car, then taking the cart to the drop off. > However, last time I did this, a lady looked at my son in the car like I > just dumped him in there while I went shopping. I ran to the car and > told her I was not a bad mom, and she said "I know you aren’t". I don’t > know whether to leave the cart in the parking lot or continue doing what > I am doing. If I take my son with me to drop off the cart, he kicks and > screams as I carry him back. He won’t walk with me, and I feel like I am > a kidnapper. Personal emails are great, more convenient than checking > the ng. Thanks for all input.
For safety reasons, since my daughter is just as likely to get out of the car and run into traffic, I usually put the groceries in the car, then take the cart to the drop off, with daughter still in the car. I’m not as careful where my son is concerned, since he is 8 years old. — Danielle, Maman to Marc-Andre – May 22, 1991 and Genevieve – Dec. 18, 1995 Writing from Canada Parent-L Birth secretary Visit my new web-page, view new pics of the kids, and, please, sign my guest-book!! http://members.tripod.com/~dchenier/home.html My new Special Education page: http://members.tripod.com/~dchenier/canspec.html My ICQ # is 6463692
Response:
>When I have one of the multipul child carts (2-3 child seats on it) I >Liz
I LOVE these carts! With three kids, they are a HUGE time save when shopping! Krystal Why is it that if someone tells you that there are 1 billion stars in the universe you believe them, but if they tell you a wall has wet paint you have to touch it to be sure? Eat the "treat" in my address to e-mail me.
Response:
>Actually, when you are loading anything into your car, the last thing>you are > supposed to put in it are you and your children. You are never>supposed to put > your child in the car first and then load it up. If>someone wants to hijack a > car, they’ll end up taking your children with >them. > Good point … but I’d rather them in the (locked) vehicle than standing, or > wiggling in the parking lot. OR sitting in the cart while my attention is > turned to loading groceries …
Also, shoping carts have a tendancy to roll. I left my duagher in the cart seat one time and while I was reaching to put a bag into the back fo the car the cart–and my duaghter–started to roll away. Thankfully there was a fast thinking gentleman walking by who grabbed her. I never left them in the cart agin–always got the kdis out first. Lesa
Response:
Thanks to all of you who emailed me personally about my post. It is good to know that I am not the only one who does this. I appreciate your responses. Sara
Response:
There are a couple of things you can do, and a couple of ways to look at this. I’ll start with my dh’s point of view, as he works at a grocery store. He looks at it this way: people who do not put the cars away are creating jobs for their only teen age workers. The "cart boys" are the only people under age 21 that can work at the store (under 21 cannot ring up alchol sales in this state.) If everyone put the carts in the proper place, frieght crew workers, maintence workers or clerks would probably have to take turns doing this duty. Right now dh’s store employes 10 people aged 16 to 21 to do the job of cart collection and cleaning up the parking lot. Then there is the issue of safty. How long does it take, even from the furthest point, to walk from your car to the cart hold and back…. 30 seconds? 45? A minute tops. Your child is safer and probably happier in the car (as you have already stated.) When I have one of the multipul child carts (2-3 child seats on it) I always ask someone headed into the store to take it back in for some other needy mom. These carts help keep kids from running wild in the store and alot of people like them for that reason and are willing to take them back in the store. And what I do for with my oldest daughter is this, when she still rides in the cart (not often) we ride back to the cart holder and skip back to the car. It’s fun, and it’s something I used to do with my parents. Just a few things to think about. Liz
Response:
Actually, when you are loading anything into your car, the last thing you are supposed to put in it are you and your children. You are never supposed to put your child in the car first and then load it up. If someone wants to hijack a car, they’ll end up taking your children with them. It happens a lot. The car-jackers don’t always know or even care when they find out. I mostly have my two youngest with me. I load my groceries with my children in the cart. Take the cart and my children to the drop off and then bring them back. Not a big deal. Better to have your kid kicking and screaming with you than being carried off by someone else. Mainmom to Tara (13) Joseph (4) Sierra (3)
Response:
>Actually, when you are loading anything into your car, the last thing>you are
supposed to put in it are you and your children. You are never>supposed to put your child in the car first and then load it up. If>someone wants to hijack a car, they’ll end up taking your children with >them.
Good point … but I’d rather them in the (locked) vehicle than standing, or wiggling in the parking lot. OR sitting in the cart while my attention is turned to loading groceries … Yet ANOTHER iffy situation, damned if you do and damned if you don’t! >It happens a lot. The car-jackers don’t always know or even care>when they find out. I mostly have my two youngest with me. I load my>groceries with my children in the cart. Take the cart and my children to>the drop off and then bring them back. Not a big deal. Better to have>your kid kicking and screaming with you than being carried off by>someone else. >Mainmom to
(BTW … the kicking and screaming aren’t the issue… their accessibility to a potential abductor was my concern…) Krystal Why is it that if someone tells you that there are 1 billion stars in the universe you believe them, but if they tell you a wall has wet paint you have to touch it to be sure? Eat the "treat" in my address to e-mail me.
Response:
I’ve done it both ways. I always felt an eerie feeling if I had to take the cart too far away so on those occasions I would take my kids with me. But there were times in which dragging two young children with me was more dangerous than leaving them safely belted in the car as it is sometimes not easy to hang on to two children and a shopping cart in a busy parking lot. I did, however, lock my car when I left them in it, even if I was only walking 6 spaces away. I figured if anyone did want to try to do something, it would at least slow them down a bit. I also kept my eyes on my car so I would know if someone was approaching it. One thing all parents should be careful of is to always hold onto the shopping cart if their child is in it. Parking lots are always sloped to drain off rain water, and it doesn’t take much for a cart to suddenly start rolling into the middle on the driving lanes – right in front of an ongoing car. Never-ever leave a child in a cart without holding onto the cart at all times. Take Care! Vicki Surratt Proud Mom of Kathy (6) and Jenny (9)! 
Visit my website! http://www.vickishome.com Home of the Newsgroup Photo Album! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > What is the proper thing to do when you get groceries to your car, and > the nearest cart drop off is 6 spaces away. I have been loading my > groceries and son in the car, then taking the cart to the drop off. > However, last time I did this, a lady looked at my son in the car like I > just dumped him in there while I went shopping. I ran to the car and > told her I was not a bad mom, and she said "I know you aren’t". I don’t > know whether to leave the cart in the parking lot or continue doing what > I am doing. If I take my son with me to drop off the cart, he kicks and > screams as I carry him back. He won’t walk with me, and I feel like I am > a kidnapper. Personal emails are great, more convenient than checking > the ng. Thanks for all input. > Sara
Response:
The grocery store that I use in Upstate New York – Wegmans – has a program called "Helping Hands". They have 2 or 3 employees that are on duty at all times in the parking lots. IF one of these employees sees me walking to my car with my one year old, they will follow me out to my car, help me unload, and take my cart away. I understand that this is something they are trained and encouraged to do. It is a real relief to me when I can take advantage of this. One of the many reasons I choose Wegmans. Lisa Proud Mom of Nathan Daniel (1)
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> What is the proper thing to do when you get groceries to your car, and > the nearest cart drop off is 6 spaces away. I have been loading my > groceries and son in the car, then taking the cart to the drop off. > However, last time I did this, a lady looked at my son in the car like I > just dumped him in there while I went shopping. I ran to the car and > told her I was not a bad mom, and she said "I know you aren’t". I don’t > know whether to leave the cart in the parking lot or continue doing what > I am doing. If I take my son with me to drop off the cart, he kicks and > screams as I carry him back. He won’t walk with me, and I feel like I am > a kidnapper. Personal emails are great, more convenient than checking > the ng. Thanks for all input. > Sara
Response:
I have done that, too, Sara. Sometimes we have to, you know. I think as long as you are outside with the vehicle, then there is nothing wrong with it. I happened upon a car here in Rapid City ibn the walmart parking lot with three little girls left inside, with the windows rolled up while the parent shopped. I went in and got a manager, and by the time I found someone to come out, the vehicle was gone. I wish I’d have parked my truck infront of it, blocking it from leaving. This is against the law in SD… kids have died left in hot vehicles! sorry to ramble… I would, however for safety’s sake, put the child in his seat before you unload your cart, as while your attention is turned away from him, putting bags in the car, he is a target for abduction. Also NEVER NEVER NEVER leave your purse in the cart while you unload for the same reason!!! My mother’s purse was stolen just 2 weeks ago from her grocery cart while she was unloading groceries. BE CAREFUL, and always keep your children safe and valuables secured! Krystal Why is it that if someone tells you that there are 1 billion stars in the universe you believe them, but if they tell you a wall has wet paint you have to touch it to be sure? Eat the "treat" in my address to e-mail me.
Response:
If I can’t park close to a cart drop off, I get car pick up.. its nicer to have someone else load the groceries for you anyways. Abbie (Yael 07/26/97 and Zev 9/10/99) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > What is the proper thing to do when you get groceries to your car, and > the nearest cart drop off is 6 spaces away. I have been loading my > groceries and son in the car, then taking the cart to the drop off. > However, last time I did this, a lady looked at my son in the car like I > just dumped him in there while I went shopping. I ran to the car and > told her I was not a bad mom, and she said "I know you aren’t". I don’t > know whether to leave the cart in the parking lot or continue doing what > I am doing. If I take my son with me to drop off the cart, he kicks and > screams as I carry him back. He won’t walk with me, and I feel like I am > a kidnapper. Personal emails are great, more convenient than checking > the ng. Thanks for all input. > Sara
Response:
What is the proper thing to do when you get groceries to your car, and the nearest cart drop off is 6 spaces away. I have been loading my groceries and son in the car, then taking the cart to the drop off. However, last time I did this, a lady looked at my son in the car like I just dumped him in there while I went shopping. I ran to the car and told her I was not a bad mom, and she said "I know you aren’t". I don’t know whether to leave the cart in the parking lot or continue doing what I am doing. If I take my son with me to drop off the cart, he kicks and screams as I carry him back. He won’t walk with me, and I feel like I am a kidnapper. Personal emails are great, more convenient than checking the ng. Thanks for all input. Sara
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