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Mom, Blogger Pens Tirade Against Target's Tiny Carts

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – One mother is speaking out about recent changes to Target's shopping experience.

If you've taken a trip to Target recently – and let's be honest, who hasn't? – you may have noticed the addition of tiny carts, designed for children to push while they shop. Some might see this as an adorable addition, some might see it as Target training future shoppers.

But one mom blogger has lashed out against the tiny carts, saying they have ruined one of her favorite pastimes.

"This tiny, red thing, with wheels and a really cute flag that makes it look innocent but it's actually there (admit it) to warn everyone close that whatever is at the bottom of that flag is bringing DANGER AND PAIN AND STRIFE and that they should run in the opposite direction," wrote Laura Rinas, creator of the blog laughing without limits and a self-described "full-time mama, wife, business owner, woman of God."

Though Rinas initially declines to name the store, about three paragraphs in she "accidentally" lets slip Target's name. She also posts photos clearly identifying the Minnesota-based retailer.

Rinas describes her normal Target routine, which includes plopping her child in a full-sized cart and strolling around the store, spending way more than she intended.

"Going to your store is magical," she wrote. "I don't just shop at Target. I come to Target to FEEL again.

"So Target is my JAM. I can come, put the Tiny Human in the cart, grab a coffee and do the Target Stroll. What's the Target Stroll? It's that thing you do where you go in for milk and come out with three carts full of STUFF."

Her most recent trip, however, went a little differently. Rinas' child grabbed one of the new, tiny carts and chaos ensued, she says.

"And I will admit. There was 10 whole seconds where I thought that that MIGHT have been the cutest thing I have ever seen," she wrote. "But it quickly went downhill.

"Seeing the demise of this Target Adventure, we quickly skirted to the food section. This is where Tiny Human really starts getting into it. Look! I can push the cart and it just GOES! On its own! And when I do it right where the aisle ends, people can't see it coming! And listen to that fun noise when other carts hit mine! THIS IS AMAZING."

Rinas laments the loss of the brief respite her Target trips used to provide her.

"Target was suddenly becoming HIS happy place. THIS IS NOT RIGHT," she wrote.

She has started a group opposing Target's recent decision, called Moms Against Stupid Tiny Carts, or MASTC. She demands Target takes away the carts so peace can be restored to her shopping trips.

"If you would like to make it right, we here at MASTC will accept an immediate removal of the Stupid Tiny Carts," Rinas wrote, "and also would not mind being handed a free Pumpkin Spice Latte upon arrival on our next shopping trip."

You can read the full blog post here.

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