Toddlers and shopping centres??

[Junglemum]

i let DD walk in shopping centers as soon as she was able to walk. She would toddle along with me right behind her. I found it a great way to burn off some energy. Now at a little over 2 she walks a lot, we too have rules, she has to hold my hand and if she runs off she's straight into the carrier or pram. Initially she always wanted to go on the rides, but now she is great, asks me first and is mostly good when i say 'maybe later'. She is pretty good in shops when we go in a say "Now what's the rule?" She says "Look but no touch mummy" Again if she touches anything i pop her in the pram.

I guess with DD2 she wont have as much free reign because i will be splitting my attention between the two and wont be able to keep as much of an eye on her.

If we are shopping on strip shops or anywhere near cars she has to hold my hand or go in the pram/carrier.

I don't let her run wild but i do find it a good opportunity to let her have a little freedom and learn a bit about rules.

[Bathsheba]

yep, that's the thing... when you have more than 1 child to supervise it gets harder and you have to be tougher... I let my middle child walk around more... but I don't have enough hands to hold my 6yo's hand and push the pram and hold my 3yo's hands when we are crossing the road etc.

[amberj]

I've been trying to let DS walk sometimes, but its never been very successful. One time he wanted to wander into every single shop. Another time he ran like a banshee through the supermarket (although that was funny- it was quiet and I let him run, he had a blast). And the other day I put him down at Bunnings and all he did was stand still and stare around at this HUGE place he was in. Seems like I always end up carrying him if I try letting him walk, so if I'm not prepared to do that, in the pram/ trolley it is!