We’ve all seen it! You’re in the grocery store picking up your weekly food fix, when right there in the produce aisle between the apples, and organic tomatoes you hear a child pitching the loudest fit ever! You try not to look. You try not to judge. While all the while thinking to yourself, how could a parent let their child act like that? But, what if that screeching child belongs to YOU?
If you are like most parents out there, grocery shopping does not rank high on the most pleasant experiences that are a necessary part of your routine. But part of raising a family does require meeting some basic needs, which does include, however inconvenient at times, feeding your offspring! I have been that parent, on more than one occasion, who has fought every urge not to leave my child in the store right there with the bananas he was so loudly tantruming for. Deb has recently posted a blog, Efficient Shopping with Giant, about a new way to make shopping easier in Giant stores – great if you have a local participating Giant – a tease for those of us who don’t. Here are a few other suggestions, all of which I have found success with at one time or another, in my shopping endeavors.
Online Shopping
Many more grocery stores are jumping on board with this service. Some stores offer delivery for a nominal fee, while others have the “pick up” option, where they pack it right in your car. I’ve had groceries delivered a number of times and let me just say, how wonderful! They delivered my groceries right on my kitchen counter, and did not even accept a tip. Plus, I was able to shop online, browse items, save lists and go back later to complete the order, and schedule the day and time I want it delivered. Another plus to online shopping is that you can easily stick to your list, without being coerced to impulse buy, and let’s not even talk about the fact it forces you to make a list and plan out meals and what you need in the first place! I also love that you can see exactly how much you’re spending before you hit “order complete”.
Many more grocery stores are jumping on board with this service. Some stores offer delivery for a nominal fee, while others have the “pick up” option, where they pack it right in your car. I’ve had groceries delivered a number of times and let me just say, how wonderful! They delivered my groceries right on my kitchen counter, and did not even accept a tip. Plus, I was able to shop online, browse items, save lists and go back later to complete the order, and schedule the day and time I want it delivered. Another plus to online shopping is that you can easily stick to your list, without being coerced to impulse buy, and let’s not even talk about the fact it forces you to make a list and plan out meals and what you need in the first place! I also love that you can see exactly how much you’re spending before you hit “order complete”.
Set Expectations
In the event that you have to actually take your kids with you into a store, be prepared, and set expectations ahead of time. Seriously, the person who decided to put a Duncan Donuts inside the supermarket is a GENIUS! A little bribery goes a long way. “Boys, we are going inside to buy the items on this list. If you can be good listeners and good helpers the WHOLE TIME, we can stop and get some munchkins on the way out” (and a much needed cup of coffee for mommy for completing this task with these little darlings in the first place). It’s a win for all!
In the event that you have to actually take your kids with you into a store, be prepared, and set expectations ahead of time. Seriously, the person who decided to put a Duncan Donuts inside the supermarket is a GENIUS! A little bribery goes a long way. “Boys, we are going inside to buy the items on this list. If you can be good listeners and good helpers the WHOLE TIME, we can stop and get some munchkins on the way out” (and a much needed cup of coffee for mommy for completing this task with these little darlings in the first place). It’s a win for all!
Be Prepared
Have a list, arranged by aisle so you don’t have to back track for the items you forgot – and have the kids help you read the list, if they’re able. And bring snacks! There is nothing worse than a hungry kid pulling everything they see off the shelves and throwing them into your cart, then throwing a fit when you tell them no. Give them snacks to keep them busy, diverting attention to all the yummy things on the shelves. Bring some books, play I Spy with food items, and absolutely check the wheels on the oversized, quite obnoxious, race car shopping cart that you’ll no doubt be banging into the shelves with, for the duration of your trip.
Have a list, arranged by aisle so you don’t have to back track for the items you forgot – and have the kids help you read the list, if they’re able. And bring snacks! There is nothing worse than a hungry kid pulling everything they see off the shelves and throwing them into your cart, then throwing a fit when you tell them no. Give them snacks to keep them busy, diverting attention to all the yummy things on the shelves. Bring some books, play I Spy with food items, and absolutely check the wheels on the oversized, quite obnoxious, race car shopping cart that you’ll no doubt be banging into the shelves with, for the duration of your trip.
Happy Shopping!
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