Now that I am a well-seasoned mom with an older teen, I
think I’ve become the woman in the grocery store that feels nostalgic when I
see little kids. Instantaneously, I can recall the countless shopping trips
with my son and the games we played to help the expedition go smoothly. They feel
like a lifetime ago, yet something I actually look back fondly on. As stressful
as it can sometimes be trying to shop with little ones, it can also be a
bonding experience. I tried my best back then to keep my extremely curious and
active toddler both occupied and well-behaved while I concentrated on shopping,
and I want to share a few of my most useful tips now that I can look back on
the past and reflect on it all:
· Go Prepared: It
may be obvious, but no matter the age of your kids, don’t head to the grocery
store without enough snacks, drinks, toys, and books to keep them occupied and
satisfied. You can even designate a special “grocery store” bag that you keep
in the car which contains toys and books reserved just for that time, making it
a special occasion.
· Plan Games to Play: I
used to prepare scavenger hunts for the store before we went, so that my son
had a mission to achieve while I shopped. For older kids, they can practice
reading by trying to read the list and find what’s on it. For younger ones, you
can draw simple pictures of say, grapes and a carton of eggs, and they can
search while you go. You can play oral “I Spy” or similar guessing games, like
seeing who can be the first to find 5 purple groceries. Creating simple bingo
cards is also a way to entertain multiple kids at once while keeping things
fresh each visit.
· Let Them Help:
Giving your kids age-appropriate tasks not only can help you and keep them
busy, but it is also teaching simple life skills that they can build upon as
they age. Send older kids off to find the best watermelon, and have younger
kids load the conveyor belt or tell you when they see the ice cream aisle. Even
if it seems like a tad more work to delegate jobs, they give kids a sense of
autonomy and prevent restlessness.
· Embrace the “Halfway” Reward: My
patented tip that worked amazingly when my son was younger was to reward him
for being good halfway during my
shopping, not at the end. This was strategic in that whatever the reward was (a
little book, sticker pad, or a big lollipop) could also keep him busy for the
rest of the shop and get him through the end.
Finally, remember to
focus less on what anyone else thinks if your kids are being loud or curious,
and concentrate on these tricks instead. Have fun, teach skills, and be
creative!
