How to Grocery Shop With Children

The holidays are an important time for families and friends to gather over meals, snacks and home- baking! But, how do you get all those ingredients on hand while excited children are home during school break? 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.

1. Leave your children at home if you can. Rely on your partner or a neighborhood network if you have one.
2. Shop with a list. Follow the list, get what you need, and get out.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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:

• 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.