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You might be thought to make more sense if you’d have the courtesy to use full sentences, caps and proper punctuation. It’s a bit annoying to read the mish mash you post.

Likewise, you didn’t read what I wrote. You think a parent should keep their kids under foot at all times because for sure they’ll run around “helter skelter” and so on. I asked you the proper age at which you, the parent police, would think it appropriate to allow a kid to be 10 ft away from you, or 20 ft, or to walk around the corner to get something for you. I’ll give you the answer. There is no magic age. And what is the meaning of unattended, in your book ? Behind my back 5 ft away ? Within hearing ? Out of arm’s reach ? You see how ridiculous that is ? If you think “unattended” means no time spent out of immediate upfront eyesight, then no parent should take their young kids out in public places, ever.

My 5 yo was perfectly capable of going to the next aisle to pick up a bag of the dog’s favorite treats all by herself without tearing up the place running around, or anything else destructive or annoying, yet inappropriately judgmental people like you think a child should be “cherished” by denying them some small independences at a young age.

And, mine was certainly not abnormal at her age. I had expectations of her performance, and she understood consequences. It’s very simple. You can’t control the public but you can exercise some discretion.

Overprotecting a kid and allowing undisciplined behavior are equally wrong in my book.