How To

How to Take Children Grocery Shopping

By eHow Parenting Editor

Rate: (4 Ratings)

Juggling a shopping list, coupons and a shopping cart with a dragging wheel is frustrating enough. Add a couple of kids to the scene and you have a first-class stress creator. Plan ahead and make grocery shopping easier than usual.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

  • Diaper Bags
  • Spill-proof Cups
  • Candies
  • Snack Foods
  • Infant/toddler Toys
Step1
Leave your children at home if you can. Rely on your partner or a neighborhood network if you have one.
Step2
Shop with a list. Follow the list, get what you need, and get out.
Step3
Bring snacks and drinks. Your children are bound to see some food item that they must have. Be prepared by whipping out a treat of your own. If they refuse your treat, give them a choice of nothing or your treat.
Step4
Bring small toys or interesting objects to hold. Have a stock of interesting things your children are only allowed to play with at a restaurant or store. Pull them out one at a time. Young children bore easily so when they toss their toy to the floor in disgust, amaze them for another five minutes with a new and exciting trinket.
Step5
Give older, responsible children a small list of their own. They can help you get shopping done faster and will appreciate the freedom. Let them choose the cereal or after-school snacks and drinks they like. You can even teach cost comparison skills by making them give you an update on their choices and why it was the best deal.
Step6
Give your children a long-lasting candy to savor for the shopping trip. You can make grocery shopping the one time they get a candy treat if you don't like to give your children candy. Lollipops are great for this because they take a long time to eat. Use safety pops for young children.
Step7
Praise your children frequently for good behavior. Try to ignore inappropriate behavior as much as possible. Talking to your children about what you expect will let them know what behaviors you are looking for. Say things like, "You are being so patient. Thank you. You are a good shopper. We will get you a treat as soon as we leave the store."

Tips & Warnings

  • Sing songs while you shop. Don't worry about stage fright - worry about getting your shopping done with your sanity and your child's happiness intact.
  • Make up shopping games. Have the child in the front seat be the horse and use his arms as the reigns. Say "Giddyap horsie!" every time you move the cart.
  • Making threats to your child about bad behavior and what will happen when you leave the store will only increase your stress level and the anxiety of your children.

Comments

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on 9/28/2007 What a nice article and well written. I enjoy your writing style. Thank you for this one. :)

Melissa Fish
www.estreetloans.com

OnTray

OnTray said

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on 9/2/2007 I created a product called, OnTray, for this exact reason. OnTray is a container that easily attaches to the handle bar of shopping carts. It faces the child in the seat part of the cart, allowing you to place a snack, or small toys in it to keep their hands busy. It encourages their independance, and frees up your hands to shop! http://www.ontray2go.com

jennyb2k

jennyb2k said

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on 4/20/2007 I LOV TO GO SHOPING

said

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on 11/22/2005 I have made grocery shopping a game. We set my pager alarm for 60 minutes, then work our way through the store with a defined goal: to be finished before the alarm goes off. He concentrates on the time, so he forgets how much he hates to shop.

said

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on 11/22/2005 For kids who are old enough to help but can't yet read, make a visual list. Cut pictures from store ads, or save labels from common purchases. Take the "list" with you and let your little one help you search things out on the shelves.

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eHow Article: How to Take Children Grocery Shopping

eHow Parenting Editor

eHow Parenting Editor

Category: Parenting

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