How to Survive a Shopping Trip with Children in Tow
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Last week I decided that we needed to get out of the house — all of us. Normally I go shopping by myself. But, it had been off and on raining, and I, personally, was suffering from cabin fever.
Plus, I had quizzed everyone on the way to church one Sunday about all the clothes they were missing. It had been one of those mornings when everything appeared stained and worn. Needless to say, I had a list that needed to be shopped.
Rather than go on the weekend when everyone else was off shopping, we went early on Friday when the crowds were non-existent. We were back home in time for lunch and to finish schoolwork.
We caused more than a few raised eyebrows in Old Navy as me and my six little ducklings trooped through the store.
Yes, yes, we did.
But, honestly, it really wasn’t that hard. It helps to have older kids, but even if you don’t, here are some things that I do to survive shopping trips with children in tow.
1. Have a list.
And keep it handy! You will have enough to do to keep a smile on your face, don’t try to remember what you need. Write it down.
2. Pack snacks, water, books, and small toys.
This will definitely buy you some time when littles start to get fussy. And a mocha for you wouldn’t hurt, either.
3. Give a kid the timer.
I love the timer on shopping trips. I usually use it when we’re in the Lego aisle, since I want to know that the end is in sight.
Last week I gave it to my oldest and let him set the timer on me. I know, I’m the one in charge.
But at the same time, I don’t want to exasperate my children. Our trip through Old Navy was only ten minutes. I let him time me and the kids knew there was an end. Our venture through Target, however, was 1 1/2 hours.
4. Give them the camera.
Truly, I did. The camera was in my bag, and I figured that was a great opportunity for them to entertain themselves. I am not sure I would have used this trick if the store were crowded, but on a slow day, it worked like a charm.
5. Take lots of deep breaths.
There are moments when your patience is tried. Practice those relaxation techniques you learned in childbirth class. You never knew they were to be used for a lifetime, did you?
6. Give each child a job.
Kids do best with positive occupation. Since I had my list and we were choosing mostly clothing, it made it easy to assign small tasks and choices to each child.
Go find the ___________.
Help me choose the ____________.
7. Be on the alert for benches, particularly near the checkout.
Older children can be sent to the bench with a younger child. This gives their feet a rest and their eyes a new perspective. We do this often to stave off the impatience that is catching while standing in line.
Keep your eye on them, but know that for the moment, it’s quiet where you are, and you can focus on the prices being rung up, the change the checker gives you, redeeming coupons, etc.
8. Smile often.
One day you’ll be one of those little, old ladies smiling at the young mom tearing her hair out. Childhood passes and you will miss it — even those crazy, crazy shopping daze.
This is what works for me. What works for YOU?
I love all of the suggestions but I think number 8 might be one of the most important!!! 🙂 I have had this on my mind a lot lately! I needed to drop something off to one of my girls at school this week, and I happened to arrive at her lunch time, so I decided to sit with her in the crowded lunch room full of kindergartners while she ate her lunch. It was really a great time! I had my youngest in tow, who of course is ready and raring to get to school herself, as well as my three year old niece who was all about the crowds of kids! 🙂 Anyway, as all of the kids were lining up after lunch for an indoor recess, due to the cold temps, I noticed one of the teachers talking SO gruffly to the kids… all because they lined on the wrong side of the lunch basket. It really made me think! My first reaction was “hey, nobody can be grumpy to my kid except for me!!” Which obviously is not the best of thoughts to have… NO one should be grumpy to my SWEET little five year old… especially not her Mama!! Anyway… I am trying REALLY hard to keep MY attitude in check with my girls! Time is flying while they are young, and with each passing milestone I realize I will NOT get that time back. What was my attitude like during those years? How will they remember me handling things…because I DO believe they will remember! My five year old is our “human sponge”! She soaks up EVERYTHING in her never ending memory and brings it up at the oddest of times! 🙂 Gotta love her for that! 🙂 Anyway… thanks for sharing your posts and I hope all of us moms can remember that there are enough grumpy people out in this world, we needn’t be one of them and certainly NOT to those who mean the very most to us! 🙂
I think a great part of shopping with kids is letting it be a learning experience. With an 18 month old, telling him what things are is big. He loves words and new things. Last night he was more than excited to sit and check out everything I was handing him. Telling him what things are also helps me think about what kinds of food goes in the basket too. And he didn’t mind taking what he was handed and throwing it in the buggy either. Especially the “tooties”. (Maybe more than one pack of cookies made it in.) 😉
I am not a mum, but my wife and I have 8 kids (and now 5 grandkids). You should have seen the looks we got when we went to the shops with the whole crew. Felt like the Duggars 🙂
I will link this page to my blog – http://www.surviveyourkids.com. I loved your ideas and I am sure many other parents will be blessed too.
Love this post! Just wanted to let you know that I’ve linked it to my “This ‘n That Thursday” post on my blog. http://myreasonstoblog.blogspot.com/2010/03/this-n-that-thursday_25.html
It’s fun to send readers to great blogs like yours!! Hope you’re having a really nice Thursday. 🙂
Thanks so much! With my three little ones- I rarely go out shopping with them. If you can do it with 6, it gives me a little bit more courage to do it with three 🙂
Blessings,
Shana