Dd2 is 3. She's always been sociable and is out a lot with school run etc with her older brother and sister. My DPs are fairly local and take her out most weeks for a morning - not as organised childcare but works about once a week. She goes to nursery 2.5 days a week and is starting her 5 mornings a week in the same place as preschool so will be there 2 full days, 1 full morning and 2 other short mornings. She doesn't like being left in the mornings but settles quickly. I work long hours. My DH is self employed/sahd whenever she's not in nursery
About a month ago we all went out for a picnic and later decided we fancied ice cream. The cafe we got the ice cream from was about to close and the woman serving was very grumpy about the fact that people were still in the queue at just before 4. We weren't last in the queue or last to leave. But ds who's 15 and a law onto himself went off to the toilet (separate building) while we were there and dd2 was very upset that we had to leave the cafe before he came back. We waited outside and he was fine
Ever since then she's terrified to go into any cafe/shop or restaurant in case it shuts and she/any of us get locked in. We have tried avoiding trigger situations but its getting worse - she had a meltdown in the butcher with DH the other day
I've tried explaining to her that the poster on the door of the shop says what their opening hours are and show this on her watch but she doesn't really understand time as she's too little so this hasn't helped.
I don't mind missing cafe/restaurant trips. There's a family meal I want out of anyway and the money we save is a good thing - DH is a bit over fond of cafe trips tbh. But it's not good that she can't even bear to go into a shop. Obviously trips out with her grandparents are off the agenda too.
Anyone had similar or any bright ideas?