WFMW: “Touch the Cart”
Once again, it’s Wednesday, which means Shannon over at Rocks in My Dryer is hosting her weekly “Works for Me Wednesday.”
Here’s my profound 
thought this week:
When you go into a public place with lots of little ones, you quickly have to be organized about where everyone walks and whatnot. Basically, you have to come up with a system for keeping everyone close! Here’s mine. When I take all four kids with me shopping alone (which I do quite often,) the two youngest stay in the cart. There’s no argument since they’ve never known any different.
The two older have a fun game I call “Touch the Cart.” They have to stay within an arm’s reach of the cart at all times and whenever I say “touch the cart,” they race to do it. There’s no prize (except a lack of discipline,) but it keeps them close. It’s so much easier than letting them wander off!
I know this tip isn’t going to change the world, but it does make shopping trips much less stressful. It definitely works for me. 
Now, go check out Rocks in My Dryer for more “Works for Me Wednesday” tips.
August 14th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
Sounds good to me. I’ll try it out tomorrow for our shopping trip. Thanks!
August 15th, 2007 at 6:00 am
We do this too! My other system (when there aren’t any carts) is that the boys know they need to be close enough for a high-five. And I will say, “Who gets a high-five?”
August 15th, 2007 at 8:45 am
Love this. I definitely need a way to keep my 2.5 year old close by while we shop! Thanks.
August 15th, 2007 at 8:48 am
I do a similar thing in the parking lot - tell the kids to touch the car as they get out of it. Their hands get dirty, but they don’t get run over.
August 15th, 2007 at 10:34 am
I never would have thought of that. That’s a cute idea!
August 15th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
I did the same. Especially putting them in the cart. As long as they were able to sit in the seat, they went in there. And after that in the cart itself.
Have a great day!