To expect ds (6) to not wander off when we're out shopping?

[SweetCharlotteRose]

Ds is just 6. I rarely take him shopping as it's more trouble than it's worth but had no choice this morning as dh announced he needed me to get a card and gift for his dad for tomorrow and then went to play golf. Ds had to come with me. I explained we needed to go to three shops and then I'd take him for a drink and a cake or to the library.
He moaned a bit from the get go and then in the card shop, as I was looking at the cards (so not holding his hand but assumed he was next to me) I heard a big crash. Turned around and ds had picked up a ceramic money box and knocked several others off the display in the process. Only one broke which was lucky. The card shop people were really nice, I offered to pay several times but they said it was ok. Ds was upset in the shop (I must admit I shouted at him) but when we came out he said 'it's your fault really mummy for not watching me.'

Aibu to think at six I should be able to take my eyes off him for ten seconds. It was literally seconds. And also Aibu to think he should know not to pick stuff up in shops - he's been told enough times. Anyway I took him home, not for a treat and now he's sulking.

Aibu?

DS sounds really sweet :) It's NBU of a six-year old to get fed up with shopping, to accidentally knock things, or to wander off a bit.

The only actually U person here is DH! He's the one that needs better training!

I suppose that if I were going into town whilst my husband was planning to be elsewhere and he needed something it would be convenient for me to get then he would ask me. I would almost certainly say yes. He wouldn't tell me things like "I need you to do x for me" though. That would get my back up.

Don't feel too bad that you shouted in the shop. Most parents I know would have done so, and I know I would have. It is a short, sharp shock that does no harm once in a while and can be very effective at getting the message through. If you tell them off sharply straight away then it has much more effect than if you wait until later to reason with them.

The fact that he has been sulking since the incident probably does indicate that you have got through to him.

OP, your 6yo can't listen to his Mum and be trusted not to wander off- but he can clearly rationalise cause and effect, explaining it was clearly your choice to leave him unsupervised for a second or two which led to the breakage? Sounds like he's got you right round his little finger to be honest!

The thing is that if he isn't used to going shopping, he won't learn how to behave in shops. It's great that he apologised and offered to pay. I'd be annoyed by the comment about it being your fault and make it clear that he is a big boy and not a toddler who needs watching all the time.