I am not one to trawl the shops all day, longingly looking at clothes I can neither afford or get into, but recently I have had to make a couple of trips to buy new shoes for DS etc. I just hate the whole thing, he screams, kicks his feet, launches his dummy....just awful! Of course we get the stares from everyone (mainly the elderly - not sure why??) In the main I try and ignore it, head down and keep pushing the buggy etc. I am organised and have lists of what I need to buy so I can smash and grab. Honestly I try to give him books, his snack pot with raisens, something from the shop to hold and distract him. I just don't know if I have too high expectations, am I being unrealistic?? Perhaps I should accept that we will not be able to go to the shops as a family fo some time. Is there a knack of dealing with this - or is it seemingly the way to handle it by buying a giant sausage roll for him to stuff his face with, which is what I see some mothers do??? p.s I forgot to say he is my only child, (makes me sound more pathetic I know)- and is 20 mths