10 Grocery Store Survival Tips
1a. Leave the kids at home with your spouse.
If you can't leave the kids at home,
1b. Feed Them! Give your kids a snack and allow potty breaks before you leave the house. I know it's a pain to stop and make a snack before you leave home, but it's worth it. Fuller tummies means less whiny shoppers.
2. Make a List! Have the children make a list before they leave home. Scribbles and pictures are fine. Good spelling practice for older children. Gives them something specific to look for during the trip.
3. Make a List! Before you leave your house, make a detailed list of what you need. You are less likely to browse and buy items you don't need when you have a list, and you are more likely to find what you need as you pass through each aisle, instead of backtracking through aisles. I keep my list simple:
Breakfast Drinks
Lunch Staples
Dinner Extras
4. Bring Snacks! I try always to stock up my purse with lollipops or gummi snacks in order to keep them satisfied while looking at all the food. It is also useful if the checkout line is long. The bigger the lollipop, the more time you have. Hypothetically speaking, of course. If the child drops the lollipop on the floor the whole plan backfires, because your child will be screaming instead of sitting well-placated in the shopping cart. Well, it's best to pack some extras just in case.
5. Know Your Store! Shop where you know the store layout well. This is especially important to #4, as it helps speed up the process when the parent knows the colors of packaging and location to help the children find the items easily. We almost always shop at the same store for most of the groceries, so this streamlines the process.
6. Dispense with Coupons! I have heard of people who knock themselves out cutting out bajillions of coupons and shopping at big brand stores, paying pennies on the dollar for their groceries. I don't have time for that. I am honest with myself - I'd rather go to the discount grocery store and not have to mess with coupons, which I would probably drop in a puddle on the way into the store or lose somewhere in the bottom of my purse. Make grocery shopping as simple as you can.
7. Discuss Expected Behavior! Before you arrive at the grocery store, let the kids know your expectations. You may each pick one thing that you want. You will keep a hand on the grocery cart at all times. If you want a drink, you will wait until we are in the checkout line. There will be no yelling or running, or you will have to ride in the cart. If you misbehave, there will be xyz consequences. Make it simple and clear.
8. Use Helpers! Children 3 and older can be helpful during grocery shopping. Really. As I walk down the aisle, I say, "Please grab a red box of crackers," or "Get the milk with the blue lid," and they do it. Grocery shopping is less tiresome with help and the kids are gratified and occupied by finding the items and throwing them in the cart.
9. Be Cheerful! This may be the most difficult survival tip, but it is important. If you can't think of anything that could make you cheerful, be thankful that you are able to buy groceries. Be thankful that you have a home to take them back to. Be thankful that you have energetic, exuberant, almost always joyful children to live life with. Think of some things you are thankful for and keep them in mind as you walk through the store.
10. Don't yell! #s 7, 8 and 9 will keep you on track for this. You will have a more enjoyable grocery store experience if you keep your temper under control. You set the tone for your kids' behavior. If you are cool, calm, collected and practice self-control, they are more likely to do the same.
As you can see, a successful shopping trip with the kids is 70% preparation, and 30% execution.
You can do it!!
Happy Shopping!
*Clipart was found at www.thoughtyoumayask.com
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