Another at what age?

[maudefindlay]

What age did you or will you start letting your child run in a store on their own (if they are the average maturity for that age)? A store like the grocery or Target if you just need a few things and the benefit is that you don't have to drag the younger 2 inside and would wait in the van instead.

[firedancer10288]

DD is 11 and I can’t see letting her do that anytime soon. She’s also extremely shy and won’t talk to strangers or ask for help, so that colors my perspective.

[VillainV]

I think my dad let me run inside the gas station for a coke around age 10, but he could see me the whole time he was pumping gas. I was probably 13 or 14 before I ran into a grocery store by myself (but mostly because there was no reason to — I’m the youngest).

[L]

Alone? Probably 13. With another kid then earlier. My 2 oldest are 2 years apart and started letting them walk to the grocery store (a block away in the city) at ages 12 & 10. It was life changing!

[sarahbear]

This is totally kid and location dependent for me.

[erbear]

Depends on the situation. I will let them walk around the main street in our town (a major city, but a neighborhood) and into stores in a year or two (so 11-12). To run into Target, more like 13-14, I think.

[cmeon]

My 11yo is pretty independent and would have no problem doing this if he'd been walked through the process once or twice. My 9yo, nope- not there yet. 13? Sure, should be manageable. Younger than that is really child dependent.

[fivechickens]

To Target? Never. If I am at Target I am going in Target. Screw that waiting in the car business.

The grocery store or any other store would depend on their maturity.

[lostrn]

We've let our 10 year old run into the grocery store or 7-11 for a snack or something. Usually because we are out walking the dog so the adult has to stay outside with the dog. Honestly it makes me a bit nervous at times but so far zero issues.

[maudefindlay]

Dec 11, 2018 18:09:43 GMT -5 fivechickens said:

To Target? Never. If I am at Target I am going in Target. Screw that waiting in the car business.

The grocery store or any other store would depend on their maturity.

I have Target love too, but sometimes my DS2 with ADHD has meltdowns and staying in the van can help him calm down. That outweighs the Target love.

[maudefindlay]

My DS1 is 10 at the end of this month. He has checked us out at the self check out before. I've been thinking maybe when he is 11, but didn't know if that would be out of line or not.

[eddy]

For us it was 10. DS can ride his bike to the grocery story.

It has been great. He runs me small errands. I just have to make sure I have cash around.

[foodiemom]

I’m guessing 13. I have a 12 year old and would not feel comfortable at this point in a large store. For sure in a small convenience store where I can see him, but not target or a grocery store.

[penguingrrl]

I started having my now 11 year old run to the grocery store down the street last year. She and her sister routinely walk to the bagel store around the corner to get breakfast for all of us. I haven’t done it at Target or that type of large store yet, but I rarely go to those stores with the kids, so there has never been a need. After school we’re swamped and otherwise H is home and/or she watches her siblings at home while I go.

[jenna]

Dec 11, 2018 18:13:54 GMT -5 maudefindlay said:

Dec 11, 2018 18:09:43 GMT -5 fivechickens said:

To Target? Never. If I am at Target I am going in Target. Screw that waiting in the car business.

The grocery store or any other store would depend on their maturity.

I have Target love too, but sometimes my DS2 with ADHD has meltdowns and staying in the van can help him calm down. That outweighs the Target love.

My Target has a Drive-Up service.  I would have loved that when my 8 year old was younger.

[Deleted]

I let my girls walk around Target together, they’re 12, but I’m in the store with them. I’m not sure when I’d be okay letting them go alone, but might be willing to try now if they asked.

[maudefindlay]

Dec 11, 2018 18:43:36 GMT -5 jenna said:

Dec 11, 2018 18:13:54 GMT -5 maudefindlay said:

I have Target love too, but sometimes my DS2 with ADHD has meltdowns and staying in the van can help him calm down. That outweighs the Target love.

My Target has a Drive-Up service.  I would have loved that when my 8 year old was younger.

Good idea, we recently got that too. Just need to get organized ahead of time to order.

[maudefindlay]

Dec 11, 2018 18:41:19 GMT -5 penguingrrl said:

I started having my now 11 year old run to the grocery store down the street last year. She and her sister routinely walk to the bagel store around the corner to get breakfast for all of us. I haven’t done it at Target or that type of large store yet, but I rarely go to those stores with the kids, so there has never been a need. After school we’re swamped and otherwise H is home and/or she watches her siblings at home while I go.

We are not walking distance to any businesses. I do try to go on errands when kids are in school, but also as we have lots of afterschool things sometimes it makes more since to go then than make an extra trip to town. Trying to not be wasteful. DH is very helpful and involved, but has been going on more work trips lately, mainly out of the country, and as a SAHM things fall more to me.

I'm also working with DS2 on calming techniques etc.

[penguingrrl]

Dec 11, 2018 18:51:34 GMT -5 maudefindlay said:

Dec 11, 2018 18:41:19 GMT -5 penguingrrl said:

I started having my now 11 year old run to the grocery store down the street last year. She and her sister routinely walk to the bagel store around the corner to get breakfast for all of us. I haven’t done it at Target or that type of large store yet, but I rarely go to those stores with the kids, so there has never been a need. After school we’re swamped and otherwise H is home and/or she watches her siblings at home while I go.

We are not walking distance to any businesses. I do try to go on errands when kids are in school, but also as we have lots of afterschool things sometimes it makes more since to go then than make an extra trip to town. Trying to not be wasteful. DH is very helpful and involved, but has been going on more work trips lately, mainly out of the country, and as a SAHM things fall more to me.

I'm also working with DS2 on calming techniques etc.

That all makes sense. Target is 20+ minutes away for us and not in a direction we otherwise go. In your case I would probably let her go in. I spent years planning errands around Hs travel and work schedule because my son was so awful to bring into a store that it had to be an emergency or I simply didn’t do it. Hang in there!

[devonpow]

Ds1 is 11 and does stuff like this, although it’s mostly candy at 7/11 with his friends etc.

[gummybear]

I let my 11 year old run into smaller places like Wawa where the layout is always the same and I can pretty much see the whole store from the front. I also let her go in and pick up take out. Grocery or Target is too big and rage inducing if you don’t know where you’re going.

[iheartbanjos]

My 8 year old could, though I haven’t for this purpose. We have a mixed use marketplace by our house and have sent some of the kids to the ice cream shop or chocolate shop to buy a treat while the adults are sitting elsewhere and having a drink. I usually give cash, but other adults give their card and have their kids sign.

[scorpio72]

We’ve been letting our girls bike to the grocery store for a few years now. They’re 14 and 15 and they probably started at 11 or 12. They go shopping with their friends now.  We let them take the metro to the shopping mall as long as they go with friends. They love shopping which is great because I avoid the mall as much as I can. 

But its totally kid dependent. I have a feeling it will be a while before we let our 9 year old son go to the store alone. 

[esdreturns]

I let my 12 year old run into the deli and order his sandwiches and pick up pizza when he was 11. But I could see him in both places. I don't think I'd be okay with him going into a bigger place like Target. Maybe 13?

[Gato]

DD1 started going to the corner store for me at 8. Now that she's 10, I can maybe see sending her into the grocery store to get a few things while I waited, say if the younger one was sick or sleeping.

I wouldn't let her go in alone to Target or the mall, though. If nothing else, I think there would be too much opportunity for distraction, and I'd be waiting forever. But once she gets a cell phone this Christmas, maybe it would be okay. I could call to check in with her.

[eb777888]

David’s 10 and I let him run into Starbucks. Target might be a little big but I’d have zero issue letting him run into the grocery store to buy a drink or something. I’d still never leave him in a running car, though.

[onomatopoeia]

DS1 was 10 when I first let him run into the grocery store with a short list and some cash.  He was fine, and it gave him a real ego boost.  He's 12 now and the only reason I'd be hesitant to let him do so in Target is because he might get distracted by things and never come out (like his mom lol).  The layout of Target also means I couldn't find him easily if I needed to. 

[waverly]

Maybe 10. I know some Targets will let you order online, and then they will bring it to your car now.

[madringal]

My oldest is 10, almost 11. I'd be more likely to leave her in the car alone with my 3 year old while I ran inside the store.

[susiebw]

I agree that it's kid and location dependent.
I'm not there yet at all. My oldest is only 7.

She was SO EXCITED when I pulled up in front of the UPS store and asked her to run a package inside for me while I stayed in the car at the curb, though.