If you have a four year old, can they...

[BlueSoul]

Go into a shop with you and just stand next to/near you, fairly still ish for about 5 mins?

I know grown up shopping is a bit dull for a four year old, but needs must sometimes. And my son is constantly moving away/around, touching things, etc etc. I'm trying to work out if this is something I should be worried about.

At school he is apparently perfectly capable of standing still in a line and in lessons. In shops this just goes out of the window!

Mines 5 and still can't...

Nope! 6 and 4 year old here and neither can! It’s sensory overload for them both!!

Nope, mine can’t either! Wanders off to the opposite aisle and starts picking up random things from the shelves and asking if we need it, or just wanting to wander off in general…

Mine can but I don’t think it’s a huge cause for concern if a 4 year old can’t.

No mine can't stay still and touches everything.

mine are 8 and 6 and no they can't. I avoid shops.

I have 3 dc.

dc1 could, and if I was really serious with him he could manage it - just
dc2 stood like and angel and didn't move form my side ever
dc3 was perfectly cappable, but thought it was really funny to run and hide behind a rack. Every. bloody. time

My ds is just turned 4, he can but for literally about 5 minutes in a shop.
He’s very good in that he doesn’t wander off on his own and stays by my side but yes he touches everything and low level moans/whinges if I linger for more than a second - so no browsing without him moaning.
I also get told he is an angel at nursery but yeah shopping with him is not at all fun and makes me stressed as hell!

Ds1 and Ds2 could at aged 4, but clearly that's unusual.

All of ours have managed at 4 including the current 4 year old. Unless there's SEN (and even then my ASD 4 year old could) I should think most could manage 5 minutes of waiting nicely.

Mine can't. Constant fidgeting and touching things. But he does all the scanning for me beautifully so I don't have to bend down to get things out of the basket. He's just the right height for it.

Mine cant, but ironically can spend 7 hours at the hospital sitting like an angel with his mask on so apparently he's perfectly capable.

In a shop he must touch everything and explore everything. Even 30 seconds is too long to stand still with mummy.

Just about he is fine but needs constant reminders and if he is not with his brother. Then they go bonkers together. I prefer shopping without them.

My 3 year old is great in shops, he's always been very easy going.

Get him to hold onto the side of the shopping cart or basket. That was the rule for mine, and they were good.

Yes absolutely. Not using the toilet reliably though so

I have a 5 year old who sat for 10 mins while I had my eyebrows waxed and tinted earlier. Just watched quietly... but behaved like a right spoiled little knob head in the next shop and had to be carried out screeching!

Swings and roundabouts!

I think you'll get different answers from everyone, none of which should be a cause of concern to you. My eldest ds and dd2 would not move from my side. Dd2 and dd1 would wander and dd3 is only 2 and so not had as many shopping trips out with me, she follows but is super excited if I let her out of the trolley. It's all so new to her because of COVID restrictions

My 3.5 year old won't wonder off but touches and picks up everything

Totally depends on child.

And better behaved at school with others etc is v standard as well.. don't worry OP normal but pita!

DS1. DS2 can’t. But DS2 can sit absolutely still and listen to a story. With him in a shop it’s not so much the fidgeting as the non stop chattering. Absolutely non stop torrent of words.

My 4.5yo is okay-ish if you give him a basket to push around (supermarket has the wheely ones). He does run ahead but doesn't run off. I try not to take him for the big weekly shop but he's okay with picking up half a dozen bits.

DC1 yes absolutely. Sat through an entire organ recital for nearly 2 hours aged 3 with apparent interest and without causing any bother at all! (I had no idea that wasn’t normal at the time )

DC2 hell no! Not a chance. Would have all the items off the nearby shelves within 3 minutes, and be chasing oranges and tins round the floor while cackling maniacally.

So I suppose it depends on the child (not the parenting).

I have 4 year old twins. One will behave perfectly, no touching and stays close and I don’t need to hold on to them. The other one is a complete nightmare, had to touch everything. Asks me a millions questions, can’t stay still in the queue etc.

If you have a 4 yr old can they go into a shop with you and just stand next to/near you, fairly still ish for about 5 mins?

dc2 could have, on a good day, depending on other circumstances.
dcs 1 and 3 not a chance nor for many years after