I am sure we have all been there…. cart is almost full and the tantrum of all times happens because you said no to a package of cookies. You have a screaming kid in your cart, walking beside you on the floor or possibly by this time; laying on the floor kicking their feet!
What’s a mom to do? Do you just keep going while they are pitching their fit in the cart or do you ignore them and walk to the next aisle hoping they stop and get up to follow? Do you spank them and have everyone think you are a child abuser and glare at you threatening to call child services? Do you try to talk to them reasonably, hoping they can hear you over their screams? Or do you pick them up, grab your purse and leave you cart and go home?
Ok… next case scenario – You are trying to shop and keep your kids near you as they are running up and down the aisles playing games with each other, making noise and not listening to you at all.
I’m sure there are very very few moms who have not had to deal with these dilemmas. I’ve been there…. believe me!
There are a couple suggestions I can give you before things get to this point. (Read at the bottom if you want to know how I would personally handle the above situations – but not everyone will agree)
My thoughts are that kids are bored, they want your attention and right now that grocery list, cart and mission of getting in and out of that store are main things on your mind; and they don’t have your full attention. They want to be a part of the mission.
So – make them a part of it.
I started this with my kids and have carried it on more with the triplets. I met Dave when the triplets were three and half years old.
As a mother of three, one of my happiest errands is a leisurely solo trip to the market to carefully select the most perfect fruit, ponder which fresh vegetables will grace our dinner plate, chat with a friend behind the seafood counter about the latest catch from the boat, and educate myself on a new heirloom bean variety I want to try out. Unfortunately, this blissful scene rarely happens. My children love a trip to Whole Foods Market as much as I do, and I often find myself saddled with a +3 on my shopping expeditions. During summer vacation this becomes the norm, as the cool store air, vibrant seasonal fruits and vegetables, and tasty samples are a veritable oasis from the heavy heat outside. Fortunately, I’ve learned a few tricks over the years that help keep my kids entertained
while I load up the cart and still have a chance to find the perfect peach.
Making a List:
Before you leave the house (or car), make a list of what you need, and get your kids’ input. This helps keep everyone on track, plus it helps keep impulse and “Oh, Mommy, please!” purchases to a minimum. My children’s suggestions of what to buy are often very helpful, reminding me of family favorites that I’ve forgotten and preemptively answering the dreaded “what’s for dinner” question. Plus, this is a great exercise for young writers, and even pre-writers can make or draw or maybe just chew on their own list.
While, admittedly, this is not always an option, I try to save my big shops for mornings after breakfast or even for the evenings after dinner. These are usually not very busy times in the store, which makes locomotion easier. Pre-feeding you brood is key. Hungry kids make for cranky shoppers and before you know it, your kids have cajoled you into a box of cookies for dinner and they’re still fussy. If you do find yourself at the store with some ravenous beasties, head to the prepared foods section and grab an easy to eat bite before commencing.
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Shopping With Kids
Ever tried going to the mall with two kids under 5? I don't recommend it. The process often involves a little bribing and a lot of negotiation and leaves you feeling like you ran a marathon by the time you get home.
But malls have gotten pretty smart over the last few years. Who primarily goes to a mall? Women. And many of us women have kids. So in order to keep those shopping mamas at the mall spending money, you gotta make it fun for the kids. That's where the bribing comes in: "We're going to the mall to buy some new shoes and while we're there we'll catch a puppet show." Fight avoided.
Several local shopping malls and the stores inside them have caught on, offering a bunch of kid-friendly activities like live musical performances, indoor playgrounds and play areas, trains and story times.
