How to Shop with a Toddler

Sometimes grocery or other shopping with a toddler can be a nightmare. In fact, many parents avoid taking their child shopping at all once they reach toddler stage. There are ways, however, to make a shopping trip with a toddler just as fun as it used to be.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A well-stocked diaper bag
• Snacks
• A loved stuffed animal or blanket

1. Before you leave the house make sure your toddler is fed, well-rested, and in dry clothes or clean diaper. The main reasons why any child becomes difficult while out of the house is because he's hungry or tired. Grocery shopping is especially painful in this situation, so avoid it by solving the problem before it starts. Bring along your toddler's favorite snack and a drink as well, just in case.
2. Go shopping with plenty of time to spare. All too often as parents we get wrapped up in own tight schedules, and we simply rush from one place to another. If you relax and enjoy your shopping trip, then not only will your toddler relax as well, but you'll have far more patience with any behavioral snafus your toddler may toss at you.
3. Interact with your toddler. Nothing is very much fun when your companion isn't paying attention to you. Talk with your toddler and treat her like she's your shopping buddy...because she is!
4. Turn it into a learning experience. Toddlers love to learn. Start naming things you pass by in the store and explain what they are used for. Tell them about whether grandma might like Santa Clause to bring that to her, or that Auntie Susan has one just like that at her house. This helps a toddler create a sense of continuity in their world as well as develop an idea of what a store is used for.
5. Have a sense of humor. It's always heartwarming to see a mom or dad goofing off and having a good time with their child, so stop worrying about who will see you and go ahead and put on that silly hat and do a silly dance. It doesn't hurt anyone and you'll both get a kick out of it.
6. Say yes once in a while. If your toddler is always reaching out for things on the shelves, don't just swat them away, go ahead and let them have something. Obviously you'll want to give them things that they can't ruin like a stuffed animal, a piece of clothing, a roll of paper towels, or a plastic container--just use your parental logic. If they are occupied with one thing they won't have the hands to reach out for something else. Of course, believe it or not, this also avoids tantrums because your toddler doesn't feel like she's missing out on anything since she's been able to check things out for a while. Remember that a toddler's attention span is short--they will lose interest after a few minutes and you can simply put it back on the shelf without a care.
7. Keep your cool. If trouble arises and a tantrum boils, stay calm. Talk to your toddler quietly, and don't make a scene. Toddlers have sensitive egos, and they don't necessarily understand what they are doing, so making a scene can embarrass and confuse them. It's best to take your discipling home. Sing a song, gently soothe them. Give them a cherished stuffed animal or blanket. If this doesn't work, take them home.
8. Remember that any time can be quality time with your toddler. Forget the rest of the world and have a good time. If your toddler sees that you're having a good time then they will too.

Tips & Warnings

• If you toddler insists on sampling the fruit in the grocery store, go ahead and let them have one. Select another piece roughly the same size and weight as the one they are nibbling on and simply ask the cashier to ring that fruit up for you twice to cover the cost of the one that's being eaten.
• Schedule your shopping around your toddler's normal routine. If they are a morning baby, then go in the morning; if they're a nighttime baby, go at night.
• Make the outing special by stopping by a drive-through for milkshakes before you get to the store. This will not only take care of any feelings of hunger for a bit, but it will also make them look forward to the next outing.
• Don't let your toddler play with anything heavy or breakable. These will inevitably land on your foot or in the aisle, broken.
• Never leave your toddler unattended in a shopping cart. They are faster and more agile than you think, and it only takes one experimental flip to land on their head.