Shopping in a crowded mall with a restless toddler? Here are the safety strategies you need to know

Going to a crowded mall with your toddler? These safety tips will help.

There is a reason why I prefer shopping or going to mall in the mornings or afternoons during weekdays with my toddler. The reason is that malls are emptier, compared to the crowd in the evenings and weekends. Empty malls mean less people and I don't have to worry about my child running somewhere where I can't see her. This is one safety strategy that I swear by. However, there are times when I have to go to a mall when it is crowded and taking care of my toddler, whose only aim in life is to run in every direction possible, gets very difficult. Shopping while keeping an eye on my constantly on the move toddler is very difficult, and that is why I rely on these tips to keep her safe and out of harm's way.

• Lay some ground rules: My daughter knows that while she is allowed to run in open passageways and walk inside stores (only after my approval), she can not run or go unassisted near escalators and elevators. I have had to tell her this repeatedly and firmly, and also had to leave the mall once when she refused to comply. Lay down ground rules and stick to them.
• Invest in baby gear: Strollers and prams are a joke. They are overpriced, and glorified, shopping carts if anything. Any toddler parent will vouch for the fact that once children start walking, they refuse to sit in a stroller. That is why you need innovative concepts like baby leash or baby carrier to keep your children close. Babywearing is godsent for keeping the children close and being handsfree. A childleash gives children more mobility while keeping them 'attached' to the parents.
• Have an action plan: Does your child know your phone number or the home address? Does your child even know your full name? Teach your child these basic things to use when they get lost. For children who aren't vocal, you can clip your phone number on their clothes.
• Educate them on asking for help: A lost child is a terrified child. God forbid, if your child does get lost, how will they know how and who to approach for help? Considering that you have the earlier tip down, tell your children to approach either 'people in uniform' which is usually the mall security and staff, or other mothers/ families, or women with children.
• Get them to behave: I will say whatever it takes to keep my child to behave. I tell her that the mall security can ask misbehaving people to leave and that means we can't come back to the mall again. A 'slightly' mis-informed child is any day better than a child who gets lost or hurt.

Do yo have any tips or strategies to keep your child safe when going to a mall or any crowded place? I understand it is sometimes difficult to manage toddlers, but as parents, safety always comes first, right?

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