Tackling the IMPORTANT Issues…Car Carts
Meijer has one hitch
Facking car grocery carts
Curse the inventor
Oh you KNOW the carts I’m talking about (buggies to my Southern readers!…how ya’ll doing? Enjoying your warm weather, are you while I’m suffering here in the PERMAFROST?)
It’s bad enough taking two kids grocery shopping. What makes it worse is trying to get a limp-noodle-screaming-banshee into a real cart after he’s seen one of those car carts. It’s an understatement to say that ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE.
I imagine that a very well meaning person (probably a MAN *ahem*) designed a car cart thinking, “THIS is a brilliant idea that will make shopping with kids FUN! and EASY!”
In a word, NO. In two words, FACK NO.
Firstly they are impossible to steer. Displays, other customers, food on shelves, ANYTHING AT ALL in the store is likely to be creamed by a rogue, out of control car cart. Secondly, they aren’t even a full size basket, so once you’ve put one kid in the seat and the other in the basket part, you now have room to buy lipstick and a greeting card. Lipstick and a greeting card WON’T FEED THE FAMILY.
So to conclude this tirade, I think we should write our congressmen about the very important issue of eradicating car carts from grocery stores across the nation. Sure we have other “important” issues like baseball players doing steroids and a Presidential election, but SURELY our congressmen would see the necessity of legislation banning car carts.
Who’s with me?
*crickets chirping*
Don’t have a clue what you’re talking about…Our carts need a quarter to get them loose for use and then, you usually lose that quarter afterwards…It never comes out of the cart….
I think I may have lost 10,000 dollars worth of quarters in my shopping life.
~JJ!’s last blog post..Happy? Haiku Day…(Scattered version)
I hate those carts. Plus, I like to talk to Quinn while I shop - not have him sitting down there in the car. Our Walmart has carts that cost $1 to use and they have DVD/videos playing in them. I hate those as well. Here’s the preschool teacher side of me - talk to your kids while you’re shopping - it’s a great learning experience for them and a great bonding experience. (sorry to anyone I offended by saying that, but really, don’t kids get enough TV while we’re blogging, do they really need more at the store when they could be begging you for all the toys and stuff that you don’t want to buy??)
Cathy’s last blog post..Haiku Wrinkles
i am so with you. when i had only one kid, it was cute and a novelty. now, with 3…it’s a nightmare. curse those grocery stores! just sell us stuff…don’t try to
make our lives miserableentertain our kids too…phyllis’s last blog post..This Old Tabernacle…
My favorites are the mini-carts with the cutesy flags that say Future Kroger Shopper.
Ginny’s last blog post..VOTE OR DIE!
I HATE those things. I will do anything to avoid them. And adding to my hatred is the fact that I can’t stear them to save my life, the last time I used one I nearly took out an entire toilet paper display. And six old ladies. It was NOT pretty.
Maggie’s last blog post..Theme Thursday - Memory
I am with you one million percent.
Lol!! I hate those things. They are like driving a giant Mini Van through the narrow cobblestone streets of some ancient foreign land.
Scylla’s last blog post..Haiku Friday
I’m with ya, Sista. I despise those unwieldy beasts. The grocery store I frequent stores their car cars outside by the smokers’ hangout. There are ashes covering them. We’ve complained a few times but they don’t move them so I’ve told my little girl that they are covered in ickies and we don’t use them.
The little boy has decided recently that he LARVES all things cars so I avoid that entrance like the plague.
STUPID. CAR. CARTS!!!!!
Mama DB’s last blog post..Haiku Friday: Afternoon Walk
I hate those things, too. My little guy is such an escape artist, he just unhooks the little seat belt & beelines. HATE them. And, thanks for using the proper term of buggies.
Anglophile Football Fanatic’s last blog post..HF: Tell Mommy a Story!
ACTUALLY, you have a good point - they’re nothing but GERM FACTORIES too. If I DO fall for my daughter’s pleas to let her in one, I invariably run into shit allllll the time. I hate them.
Dawn @ Coming to a Nursery Near You’s last blog post..Friday’s Feast
Does your Meijer have the horses to ride for a penny at the checkout?
Dawn’s last blog post..Haiku Pleading
Oh I hate those too. Between SB’s inability to just stay put INSIDE them and my inability to steer them, I pretty much had to ban their use. Not that that stops him from asking. Every freaking time.
tulipmom’s last blog post..Surprise Baby Shower
I hate those carts too, but we still get them if there is one. d just loves them and it makes shopping easier so I just grit my teeth and curse in my head everytime I have to turn a corner.
Devan’s last blog post..Random Tuesday
Gawd, do I hate those carts!
I refuse to use them. My husband thinks they are the greatest thing ever proving they were probably made by a man.
Andria’s last blog post..Straight Up Now Tell Me…..
I’m with ya sister! We should start a petition. The ones at WallyWorld that are like a train with the two seater then the buggy, I mind as well be driving an 18 wheeler.
Jean’s last blog post..Adventures in Preemie Land Part Tre
Do you guys have Harris Teeter near you? They have “rocket carts” which fit 2 kids up top with you, steering wheels and all, andd they have a pretty decent sized basket to fill. Keep an eye on the monsters while being able to actually shop…SCORE!
God Bless Northen Virginia…amen.
Oh I am so with you in the hate-those-^%$^%$- carts conga line!!
It probably WAS a man who designed them, too!
Because you KNOW that if and when Daddy ever takes them to the store, HE’LL be the cool one and get it, then Mommy will be the devil’s mother when it’s time to get the “real” shopping done, and she refuses the cursed things.
Mandy’s last blog post..Too much of a good thing.
I hate those things too! At our store though most of the time they are in the returns in the parking lot and almost always BROKEN…but Babyhead wants to ride in there anwyay…however he usually hangs out the window of the thing or something so now they are banned. We always run really quickly past the returns so he won’t see one and remember he wants one.
And they are LOUD if you have a store with tile!!
Sandy’s last blog post..Backacks
Oh, I know the ones you speak of quite well and yes, ICK!
Our Kroger has car carts AND miniature kiddie carts. You know the ones, they’re exact miniature versions of the normal carts.
My son loves to push those around the store and inevitably into everything and everyone else. Talk about nightmare!
GHD’s last blog post..Natural Habitats and Animal Sounds
I know *exactly* what you’re talking about. I can’t get away from those damn things. In our local grocery store they have the full sized carts with cars attached which are even more painful to maneuver.
Maria [Immoral Matriarch]’s last blog post..Ask Anything
Okay, I’m commenting for all those other silent playgroup readers out there who LOVE those carts.
They have gotten me through many desperate grocery store trips where I HAD to go to the store and I HAD to bring hellions. Pop them behind the wheel of the car, drop in a box of Animal Crackers and you’ve got yourself some peace.
Of course, being a 5′10″ amazon, I don’t have any problem pushing the behemoth around. And being one who isn’t afraid of germs, I’m willing to risk the plague to get my shopping done.
all things bd’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday - 2 Reasons for a Shotgun
I remember when my kids outgrew those, and yet they still tried to squeeze themselves in. There I was, trying to shove nearly 100 pounds of kid-weight down the aisles, with their arms and legs sticking out.
The Mom Bomb’s last blog post..What’s Next? A Close Reading of Beowulf in Middle English?
You think car carts are bad with 2? Try it with 3 who ALL want to fit in the car. And worse still are the miniature carts for the kids to push on their own. Inevitably, I cave and let 1 get a kid carts and then I’m picking up knocked over displays, and rubbing my sore shins while trying to maneuver the dreaded car cart.
I love grocery shopping….by myself!
Jenni’s last blog post..Haiku Blah
Fackin’ A I’m with you!
Those buggies should be included in the circle of hell that the post office is in! Is it the 2nd circle? Or the 3rd?
Queen of Shake Shake’s last blog post..I Am the *F* Word
Try using one of those pieces of *** with THREE kids!
Jen
I’m with Queen of Shake Shake! I hate those things and its worse when they are all being used by other shoppers and your child doesn’t have one and I have to listen to the tirade all the way through the store.
justmylife’s last blog post..It’s raining, It’s pouring….
But I really have to say there is an upside to this. When I take everyone! All three kids AND DH - he takes one of those carts with the all the kids, races it down the empty aisles and hops on. I get a regular cart and pretend not to know them.
(hit send too soon- this just came to me)
Jen’s last blog post..haiku friday - blog juice
I shop at Walmart (I know, bad, but small town, no other reasonable options). All they have are rickety carts that only turn one direction. You get a nice bicep workout trying to keep the thing straight.
Anyway, we don’t have the car cart option. I can see where it could be a pain, but I also wished we had those when my then 1 yo hated shopping with a passion (she loves it now). She may actually have let me shop at a speed that was something less than a full speed run.
Have you seen the the Home Depot car carts. The kids are right up front and the cart is huge. Although, I guess you can’t get many groceries there.
Irene’s last blog post..Me and My Valentines
I KNOW! I hate the car carts. For all the reasons you mention and one more. I feel like I’m at Disney because I have to keep saying “please keep your hands, feet and head in the car at all times”. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve almost decapitated a kid because they stuck their head out as I’m trying to push the damn thing in a straight line down the aisle.
Oh, and actually one more…my son (2 1/2) shoplifted chapstick that was down low in the check out aisle. Yes, I did go back in with him and make him give it back…they just giggled. Which I so appreciated, because, you know, laughing at bad behavior will so stop a little one from doing it again. NOT. I’m going to take their numbers for the police to call when he’s 16 and in need of a bail out!
MommyCosm’s last blog post..Haiku Friday: Glowing Ovaries
I hate those carts too! I do love the extra large two seater carts at Costco though….the two seats thing, that was brilliant!
Farmers Wife’s last blog post..Nekked and Habbin’ Cake!
You know I’m always with you, g-thang!
And if I DO come to Cinci, would you really drive to meet up??
(See: Dawn @ Kaiseralex’s haiku.)
VDog’s last blog post..He’s A Maniac!
Yes I hate those things! Whenever I see one coming down the aisle I turn the other way. It’s like a circus on wheels.
skiplovey’s last blog post..Care for a side of random with that?
I am SO with you! I avoid them like the plague.
Smiling Mom’s last blog post..A Family Necklace
i used those carts once…i learned my lesson.
Alisha’s last blog post..Haiku Friday-Potty Training Fun
Amen Sistah! Sing it!!
I hate those things. Thank goodness none of the stores around here have them.
As a matter of fact yes, I am thoroughly enjoying our 70 something degree weather, thankyouverymuch!
rachel’s last blog post..My insanity sponsored by the letter P
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Guess Mommy is going to have to JUST SAY NO to car carts.
(Do the kiddos beg to ride in one? Most likely.)
Hope your shopping experience is more pleasant next time.
Joyce’s last blog post..Buddy Award!
Those things can be HEAVY!!!
Jen
Jen Poco Loco’s last blog post..Friends coming to visit - oh the stress….
Thanks for visiting Small Reflections. Yup … I’m definitely a ‘rule-breaking rebel’ at heart! How could I skip Haiku Friday? Seems to me I’ve visited you before a while back, but I thought you took a ‘break’ or something. I guess you’re back and I didn’t know it, but I’ll visit now that I know you’re back ‘ku-ing!
Hugs and blessings,
storyteller’s last blog post..Haiku Friday - Message in a Bottle
Sing it, sister!!!
My 2-year-old twin boys are excited to get in, but once they’re in, the excitement wears off quickly, so then I have two screaming kiddies and I’m tooling around the store as fast as I can (trying not to run anyone/thing over in the process).
AND–are those carts cleaned, ever?? I think of the germs growing on that steering wheel and gag.
Kristin’s last blog post..AI week 2–the girls
I DETEST having to go to Meijers STRICTLY because of those STUPID carts!!!! Liv throws a HEINOUS fit and causes a scene and you’re right about trying to get a good amount of groceries in them. They should be banned!
Stephanie’s last blog post..WW-video edition
Don’t much like the car carts either, but ours at least, can fit two kids in the car. Unfortunately I have four! But the older ones walk anyways. Now our store had Space Shuttle carts. This one has the kiddos (again two) up top in the space shuttle with stearing wheels, a small basket in front of them and another basket below that. I’ve got more basket space, but now I have to bend down to put anything in it our get anything out. At nearly 34, bending down after already running through the store is a chore.
Christine’s last blog post..An Answer from God
My Meijer has no such fool thang. But Shnucks has a full size cart with car attachment in the front and we used it ONCE and once only. A giant PITA.
Henny Penny’s last blog post..Another Auction
See, here in Ohio, our Meijer has not only the little cars, but they COST $1 to use and have video screens playing the Wiggles or Barney for the entire shopping trip. So not only do you have to maneuver that monster through the aisles, but you’re subjected to kids music the entire time.
Christina’s last blog post..Haiku Friday: Red Bird
Please feel free to have your congressmen send all the car carts to me in Pittsburgh. I have to deal with a category 4 meltdown whenever one is not available for my ever-so-innocent princess. She insists her buns are made for driving the green car and heaven forbid somebody else already have it when we get to the store.
Burgh Baby’s Mom’s last blog post..Snarkette
I think I’m going to be the lone voice of dissent here.
The only way I can get the almost 2 year old and the three year old to stay with me is to tie - uh - put them into the car cart. Nothing else works. When I have one of them, that child will be a perfect angel in the cart seat or walking beside me. But when I have both NOTHING works but the car cart.
Please don’t take it from me, then I will assuredly lose a child under a mountain of apples or something.
Jerseygirl89’s last blog post..Haiku Friday - Meme-Alicious
Thank God for two, not three smalls at once. I thought I was the only one with these issues? Carts in general, ack!! I need them to contain both kids somehow. Or, we will starve and I will have no lipstick.
mandy’s last blog post..Happy Birthday Drew
I tried to visit last night, but your blog wouldn’t load right or something. Anyway, I agree with you, so that’s why I make my husband push them!
Thanks for the visit!
Siobhan’s last blog post..Hai-look-at-you Friday
We must have different car carts here - I don’t find them too hard to steer and the kids love them. Sorry!
andi’s last blog post..Preschoolerville: The essential guide book
With you 100%. They are like tantrum-inducing machines, and I hate how they knock down everything in their path.
Rachel’s last blog post..Overheard
AMEN!
They are AWFUL!!! Temper tantrum machines for mommies!
susiej’s last blog post..The Leap Year Cocktail
amazingly, our carts are always “out of order” or “need to be charged” or I “don’t have a dollar” or “we need too much stuff” or maybe they’ll “work next time”!
hope those help. those carts are the work of the devil. like I need anything slowing me down in my already packed and slow grocery store that I didn’t want to take the kids to anyway!
pgoodness’s last blog post..Oh, my aching neck
Ohhellzya. I love this. I think of it EVERY FUCKING DAY. (I end up at the grocery store a lot. I can’t help it. I dunno why this happens)
And, you’re going to BlogHer, right? And you are looking for a roomie, right?! RIGHT?!?!
Mrs. Flinger’s last blog post..Flashback Friday: How Tiffany Changed My Life
I haven’t had to deal with the trauma that is car carts yet…my little one is only eight months old. But I know the time is coming.
the dragonfly’s last blog post..in like a lion
more importantly, why don’t they make them big enough for me to sit in? Not fair that the kids get all the fun. I want to see a cart (we call them trolley’s here in Oz) big enough for a mum to sit in while the kids push it. With a drinks tray to hold my margarita.
Is that too much to ask? Just to make shopping that little bit more bearable?
Kelley’s last blog post..…..and now for something completely different.
I always had such mixed feelings about those carts…and now I look at them and think my guys are too big for them. Snif.
On that note, I have to run upstairs and change for the elder son’s soccer game because what I am wearing now will make be boil. If I could send you some of this, I would.
melissa’s last blog post..Friday Haiku 2/29/08
Or the worst is one grocery store that I no longer patronize has 5 carts kids carts–3 pink butterfly ones and 2 blue pickups. Of course my kids would rather be caught dead then in a pink cart and the blue pickups are so thrashed and covered with flu germs it is like driving a petri dish…ya, and 3 kids don’t fit in those carts AT ALL. And then there is the parking lot stalking of people leaving the store with the proper cart…so creeeeeeepy!
HRH’s last blog post..Just say no to….potty training?
Oscar now gets visibly upset when we pull into the parking lot of the grocery store that DOESN’T have car carts.
i will sign your petition.
Bon’s last blog post..leap
I didn’t realize that I’d be signing a petition.
:>)
Hard to steer and two kids cannot get along side by side in them, so then you end up pushing and out of control cart while holding one of your children.
Hate them!
What I love is free cookies and free child care at the grocery store. Although it’s not really free when you consider how much the food costs at the child care offering stores.
Amy’s last blog post..On This Day in 1997
We thankfully have nothing like that here, heck i can not imagine going shopping without DH . Definetly a two person job about here
Laura McIntyre’s last blog post..All Around The World
Okay, I lie; they are ALWAYS broken, I tell the kids. Thankfully they are mostly old enough to NOT want to get them. And I won’t allow them to ever get the little tiny carts; what happens is the baby sits in it while the 8 year old careens around the store and I end up paying for spaghetti sauce that I don’t actually get to HAVE because it is broken and splashed all over the floor.
Kori’s last blog post..Quirky, Shmirky
I gguess I’m in the minority - I do not share the hatred of car carts.
Those mini carts though! Holy Hell! Whose brilliant idea was it to let a 3-year-old careen a cart through a crowded grocery store? Sadly, my kids will never know the joy of a mini cart.
jackie’s last blog post..My Question to You
Right. Plus half the time there aren’t any left, so you have to use the regular cart, which means that your kid screams every time you pass one of the trucks/cars inside the supermarket.
magpie’s last blog post..Open, please