Why is it that the one place you least want your toddler to melt down is also the place they seem most likely to have their most epic meltdowns? You already know the spot I’m talking about: the grocery store. Is it the fluorescent lighting? The slightly echoey elevator music bouncing through the aisles? The constant temptation of sugary snacks you won’t buy for them?
The hard tile floors and cavernous ceilings are acoustically designed to amplify your toddler’s cries as much as humanly possible. Not to mention the fact that all you want is to get your groceries and get out. So of course, there’s going to be at least one tantrum per grocery trip. It is the law. Until now, anyway. Because one mom is sharing the genius hack that has helped her all but eliminate grocery store meltdowns, and you’re going to want to try it out yourself as soon as possible.
It’s actually deceptively simple. Mom @mariachrisoula shared the hack in a TikTok video where she wrote, “Saw someone push their cart backwards, and I’ll never go back.”
@mariachrisoula costco hates to see us coming #chaoscrew #costco #momlife #postpartummom #toddlersbelike #boymomlife #gentleparenting
♬ Mission Impossible Theme (Movie Trailer Mix) – Dominik Hauser
The video shows her toddler in the seat of the shopping cart, which she’s pushing backward. Her caption reads “Costco hates to see us coming,” but in truth, we think Costco probably prefers a happy toddler over one having a tantrum.
Is it really that simple? Let your toddler “drive” the cart, and your shopping trip will be meltdown-free? It seems almost too good to be true (especially since we can use this hack at any store with shopping carts), but we can’t wait to test it out on our next trip to the store.