Things You'll Need:
- Patience
- A Sense of Humor
- Patience
- A Smile
- Patience
- Good Timing
-
Step 1
Taking your child shopping can be stressful for both of you if limits are not set from the get go. So do yourself a favor and limit your shopping to one hour at the most. Take a list, but don't be concerned if you don't get everything on it in this one trip. Your goal is not to succeed at shopping, it is to succeed at teaching your child how to behave in a public place. Make it your goal always. You are the parent.
-
Step 2
Before you leave, as you are strapping your child into the carseat properly, give him/her a snack and tell them that you are going to the store (name) to buy - whatever it is. Tell him/her that they will sit in the cart/hold your hand/hold the cart - speak softly etc.. whatever your expectations are for their behavior, let them know ahead of time. When you get to the parking lot, ask them if they remember what those expectations are then tell them again. Then tell them that if they do not follow the expectations, they will not go shopping with you again until they do. Repetion is key as attention spans are low and distractions are high :)
-
Step 3
As you are shopping and your child is behaving, compliment them on how well they are doing. If you only give attention to them while they are misbehaving, you will encourage misbehavior. If they want to hold something, look at something etc, stop and let them do that. Tell them that it will be there the next time they come back so they feel free to put it back on the shelf themselves. Let them put it back themselves. My kids liked to give it a hug or kiss before they put it back. If they want to buy it, ask them if it is on the list. If it isn't tell them you are only buying what is on the list and let them know that there will be other trips other lists. If a tantrum starts remind them of the consequences you set up earlier - no shopping with mom/dad. If that is not enough to stop the oncoming tantrum and they are behaving badly you must, must, must leave the store immediately. Leave the cart where it is, pick up your child gently and tell them that you are taking them home. (let someone know you are leaving a cart full of stuff if necessary) Go to the car and leave all the while knowing that you are succeeding in your goal of teaching your child how to behave in a public place.
-
Step 4
When you get home with your child or on the way, just let them know that you will be returning to the store with out them (when your spouse gets home for instance). Don't make them feel bad, or say that they were bad it is counterproductive. Tell them that the way they were behaving was innappropriate and when they can behave, they will get another opportunity. It may take a few attemps but they will get the clue very quickly especially if there is something on the list that they would like.
