Our society is going down the toilet...

[DrummerDeanna]

Grocery-Cart TV for Kids of Shoppers

A New Zealand firm is betting on a U.S. market for a shopping cart that lets young children watch videos while their parents shop. Shaped like a car, the Cabco cart rents for $1, part of which goes to retailers like Wal-Mart and Publix, who are testing their popularity. Child-development experts are wary, but Cabco says offering customers the carts can add as much as $100,000 to a store's receipts.

Listen to the full story here:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5738235

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Ok - now I'm not a parent. But I was a nanny. I find this ridiculous. What my sister did and what I helped enforce as nanny - was teaching my nephew who to behave in public :shrug: He threw a public tantrum a total of two times - and quickly learned that is NOT a good idea.

But again, I'm not a parent....

So parents - what do you think of this idea?

[markolas]

Oh, god, if I ever have kids they're probably going to hate me. I would refuse to have a TV in the house, let alone allow them to rot their brains as they ride through the grocery store.

[gldstwmn]

Sounds like a godsend to me. :lol:

[Red]

My solution is to not have children.;)

[DrummerDeanna]

Sounds like a godsend to me. :lol:

That's why I wanted parental opinions - it's very easy for me to say this is a horrible idea - but I'm sure a mother with 3 kids who needs to do her shopping feels differently....

[HomerMcvie]

My solution is to not have children.;)

Amen!!!!:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[SortaSavageLike]

How about a shopping cart that comes with a canister of birth control pills?

[sammigold]

I think it would depend on what type of content they were showing.... it could be very helpful to parents of more that one child, I mean one child is hard enough! I dont know how people cope with more... I certainly couldnt!
I think that like everything "moderation" is the Key...:nod:

[carrie721]

How about a shopping cart that comes with a canister of birth control pills?

how about a shopping cart that comes with a voucher for a free post-birth abortion? heh.

[sara1998]

Unless you're a parent, you have no idea how hard it really is. On the flip side, your children should be taught how to behave in public. So, first things first. My child acts wonderfully in the grocery store. She is no saint, mind you, she's had her ass beat in the Meijer bathroom a time or two. But, she hates to go grocery shopping. I try to include her as much as possible. She loves to push the cart. In my opinion, a mother with 3 children could benefit from a TV in the shopping cart, but her children don't. Incorperate them into your shopping. It can be as easy as I Spy. Or, one could push the cart, the other can look for the peaunt butter, and the other could check the items off the list. When you're a parent, you have to be somewhat creative. TV in the cart lacks creativity for the parents and the children. I don't shun television, I have a DVD player in my truck for the long rides, but really? In a grocery store? Give me a break.

[CelticGypsy]

Sounds like something for parents that are too lazy to teach their kids about manners or how to behave in society:shrug: :mad:

[HomerMcvie]

Sounds like something for parents that are too lazy to teach their kids about manners or how to behave in society:shrug: :mad:

Your.hammer.hits.the.nail.squarely.on.the.head.

[CelticGypsy]

Unless you're a parent, you have no idea how hard it really is. On the flip side, your children should be taught how to behave in public. So, first things first. My child acts wonderfully in the grocery store. She is no saint, mind you, she's had her ass beat in the Meijer bathroom a time or two. But, she hates to go grocery shopping. I try to include her as much as possible. She loves to push the cart. In my opinion, a mother with 3 children could benefit from a TV in the shopping cart, but her children don't. Incorperate them into your shopping. It can be as easy as I Spy. Or, one could push the cart, the other can look for the peaunt butter, and the other could check the items off the list. When you're a parent, you have to be somewhat creative. TV in the cart lacks creativity for the parents and the children. I don't shun television, I have a DVD player in my truck for the long rides, but really? In a grocery store? Give me a break.


I agree with you. I would take my three children shopping every week to the commissary and PX. They are now in their 20's but back in the 80's and 90's I did most of the shopping since my hubby was in the military and on duty alot or out in the field. I agree that children can learn to behave in public and parents have to teach them at home how to behave first. Starts at the dinner table. My kids always had bedtime at 8 or 8:30pm. When they got older, the bedtime would change. If they misbehaved, they were sent to the corner and had to apologize afterwards. Before going grocery shopping, I always made a list and my kids would help me decide what we would have for meals. They got to choose one special cereal for that week or special dessert. I always let the girls who were older count, pick out apples and oranges. It was a good way to teach my three year old how to count and learn colors. Parents have to be creative. Since we lived overseas for six years our children visited alot of castles in Germany and about six countries while we were there. We went on Volkmarches as a family on the weekends. They are on their own now but still love to travel and keep active.

[DrummerDeanna]

Interesting input...and I agree that those of us without children can't even begin to imagine what it's like...so it's completely easy for us to look down upon a frazzled mother with 3 screaming kids - but I'm not sure I could fare any better :o

I thought this story brought up an interesting point--

Are we raising a generation of children who are learning that it's ok to be anxious and/or bored unless they're in front of a screen?

[estranged4life]

Are we raising a generation of children who are learning that it's ok to be anxious and/or bored unless they're in front of a screen?

pretty much, Sad ain't it?

[DrummerDeanna]

pretty much, Sad ain't it?

It IS sad. I remember somewhat recently when they changed the format of Sesame Street - I was so mad. And now the show is a showcase for the attention defecit generation - critics say the show promotes a low attention span because of the fast pace and such - no more running story line throughout etc....I definitely don't like it now...and my nephew never did either.

[SuzeQuze]

It IS sad. I remember somewhat recently when they changed the format of Sesame Street - I was so mad. And now the show is a showcase for the attention defecit generation - critics say the show promotes a low attention span because of the fast pace and such - no more running story line throughout etc....I definitely don't like it now...and my nephew never did either.

Wow, I haven't seen this. That sucks.

How about music videos? I felt out of it when I saw some out at a bar a couple of weeks ago. The longest time an image or clip was on the screen was about 2 seconds before the video jumped to something else. It seemed really odd. How's your 2 second attention span?

[estranged4life]

How about music videos? I felt out of it when I saw some out at a bar a couple of weeks ago. The longest time an image or clip was on the screen was about 2 seconds before the video jumped to something else. It seemed really odd. How's your 2 second attention span?

is over-the-top with imagery, you won't be gaining the attention of anyone now-a-days.

What happened? When did most attention spans shrink? Did I miss something, or did I not get the notice in the mail? :shrug:

Brian "Last of the dinosaurs...I listen to an album from start to finish, Not just the single because that is only what my attention span will allow" j.

[DrummerDeanna]

Wow, I haven't seen this. That sucks.

How about music videos? I felt out of it when I saw some out at a bar a couple of weeks ago. The longest time an image or clip was on the screen was about 2 seconds before the video jumped to something else. It seemed really odd. How's your 2 second attention span?

Seriously! A lot of stuff geared toward younger people is so fast-paced. And researchers are genuinely concerned about that because it's teaching young people that they don't have to focus on one thing for more than a few seconds...

So attention defecit - is it a real disorder or a man-made one? I'm thinkint the latter myself :shrug:

[estranged4life]

So attention defecit - is it a real disorder or a man-made one? I'm thinkin the latter myself :shrug:

a little of a real disorder, and a whole helluva lot of man-made.

[Kelly]

Letting a kid watch a movie in a shopping cart is ok, as long as they know how to behave in a store and in public. The tv should not be a substitute for parental guidance etc but it also does not mean that the parent is not doing his or her job if they let their kid watch it. Grocery shopping with kids is a pain..its the summer right now and trying to read labels, look at prices, keep track of money, remember what you need while you have three kids under ten with you.. ain't easy. My kids are very well behaved but they still talk, bicker with each other, laugh, goof off, ask to buy things, ask questions and it makes the whole shopping experience a bit hectic. I let the older one push the cart and they always get to pick out their cereal, juice, ice cream, fruit and dinners for the week. However, if they wanted to watch a video, I probably would not have a problem with it, especially the little one, who hates grocery shopping. (except when he gets cheese from the deli lady or counts the lobsters) Will it make my life easier? Yes. Is that wrong? Not if I have done my job as a parent, which includes teaching them how to behave properly in public.
It is also very different to take one older child (4 plus) to the grocery store than it is to take two or more or a very young child. A young child's attention span is only so long and sitting in the grocery cart when they are tired or cranky can be a challenge. Is watching a video for a half hour such a big deal? is it really ruining society? I can think of many, many other things that are much more detrimental to a child and societies future than watching a half hour of Peter Pan......

[DrummerDeanna]

^^

Well yes, my "society is going down the toilet" title was a bit harsh :laugh:

But you give an interesting point....and yes, as long as parents are parenting - a little video in the store isn't going to do harm - but I guess the bigger issue is why is it that it seems as though the answer to everything lately is "stick the kid in front of the tv?"

[sara1998]

I don't recommend letting them watch TV from the time they get home from school until the time they go to bed, however, letting them watch for a bit while you do something that needs to get done is not bad. It's OK to let the TV be a babysitter for a while. It's when that's all you allow them to do does it become a bad thing. If I had to entertain my child every waking moment that we're together, my home would be a mess, my bills would go unpaid, and my school work would go undone. Sara has a television and a futon in her playroom, and while I'm in here screwing around on the computer, she has her radio on, and is piddeling around with her toys. So, it's also raising them to find other things besides the TV to keep them busy. On the other hand, we're going to Kings Island on Sunday, and you bet your ass when we're making the 2 1/2 hour drive, she'll be in the back watching TV! :laugh:

[DrummerDeanna]

On the other hand, we're going to Kings Island on Sunday, and you bet your ass when we're making the 2 1/2 hour drive, she'll be in the back watching TV! :laugh:

:laugh: I do have to say - that travel DVD players have been a godsend on long road trips (with the nephew) :laugh:

[tuigirl]

From someone who works every day in a large supermarket with screaming kids, anything to keep them quiet is a good idea. However, I do think it's the parents in a lot of cases who need sorting out NOT the kids.How many times have I seen them ignore their child when theyr'e screaming (a few words to divert their attention would be good..but no, they let them scream!)How many times have I seen parents shouting, ignoring and belittling their kids in front of others (by telling them theyr'e in the way, or hopeless at packing)...too many times to mention.Parents today can be crap and we wonder why the kids are too???
Some little kids incidently are lovely and thankfully, theyr'e in the majority.

[skcin]

You know, I was a pretty much a TV kid. I turned OK. I think. (I don't have a huge problem with the cart idea, but I would hate to see a mom or dad walk in, dump the kid in the cart, turn on the TV & ignore them for the rest of the time in the store.)

BUT! My parents weren't afraid to say no to me. They weren't afraid to punish me. Yes, I was spoiled to an extent, but I was also disciplined. I had a TV in my room after the age of 10, but that didn't mean I could watch it every night or for hours on end. That's what bothers me about some people that I know who are raising kids today - they can't (or won't) say no to their kid(s). Instant gratification - I want it & I want it right now!!!

For example - the kid next door is very obese. Mom thinks it's OK because he's also tall for his age. She actually said to me once "He ate 2 pieces of pizza and then ate his brothers' piece!" I asked "why did you let him have it" and she said "he said he was hungry." :shocked: That same kid rides his bike without helmet, and gets yelled at once or twice. He does the same thing 10 minutes later, but nothing is said. WTF?!?! You're just going to give up? Grrrr......

I just don't get it. It's easier to just give them what they want, I suppose. I know raising a kid is hard - that's why I don't have any. But I wish the people that do decide to have kids would really think it through first.

Too many people say "I want a baby!" when they should think it out first. Can you honestly say "I want to have children & give them a loving supportive family, and work hard to raise a good person & productive member of society. I want to take on more responsibility than I've ever had in my life and work my ass off to be great at it." Because if not, you shouldn't have kids. :sorry:

[DavidMn]

Oh, god, if I ever have kids they're probably going to hate me. I would refuse to have a TV in the house, let alone allow them to rot their brains as they ride through the grocery store.You might just be onto something there.:nod: