How to Keep Your Preschooler Out of Your Hair at the Grocery Store

Preschoolers are at an awkward age when it comes to a grocery shopping trip. They are too old to ride around in the shopping cart as they used to in their younger days, but they are not old enough to endure the grocery store without getting bored and whiney. You can avoid your preschooler's grocery store breakdowns when you get him involved with shopping for the groceries. Here's a simple plan to keep your preschooler happy at the grocery store.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Small notebook
• Yarn
• Pen
• Envelope

1. Find a small notebook into which you can record your preschooler's grocery list. Use tape to attach a writing instrument (pen, crayon, marker--whatever your preschooler is comfortable with) to a piece of yarn and attach the yarn to the notebook.

2. Give your preschooler a small envelope and help him to write the words "grocery coupons" on the front.

3. Choose several items that are located in various places throughout the grocery store and enter them into your child's special grocery list notebook prior to your grocery trip. Try and include some of your preschooler's favorite foods on his list, as these will be of special interest to him as you shop. You can make this grocery list elaborate--cut out pictures from ads that you glue into the notebook--or simple--just write the name of the item and rely on your own artistic ability to draw a picture that represents the item.

4. Draw a small square next to each item on your preschooler's grocery list that will serve as a check box once the item makes it into the cart.

5. Give your child the grocery store notebook upon entering the store. Let your child know that it is his job to find the items on his list as you shop and that he should put an X in the box near the item on his grocery list when the item makes it into the grocery cart. This activity will keep him focused on something as you grocery shop making it easier for you to navigate your way through the store.

6. Keep the grocery coupon envelope handy when your preschooler passes one of the irresistible automated coupon dispensers commonly found throughout the store. Allow him to take one coupon from each one he notices and instruct him to tuck the coupons into the envelope so you can take them home. He's probably going to pull these grocery coupons from the dispenser anyway so at least you will manage the mess and possibly benefit from the savings!

Tips & Warnings

• A little innocent bribery never hurts--maybe a treat once you reach the checkout if the grocery trip goes well!

[ursaminor]

on 6/18/2008 What a great idea! It's so hard for little kids not to get overstimulated and a little crazed by all the light and the brightly colored packaging screaming, ?Buy me!" at the little folks. I'm sure lots of moms would be glad to do this for their little ones. 5 stars.