What are some ideas to help you shop with kids? My husband works long hours and with no family around I go shopping all the time with 3 or 4 kids(depending on school days). Half the struggle is getting the kids ready to go, right? (and sometimes that diaper bag seems like an extra kid that you have to get ready as well!) I always bring a snack in the diaper bag for at the store to distract them and keep them from whining about being hungry.

1.Be prepared. I give my cuties something to eat and take them potty before we head out. Be prepared to go potty during your shopping trip if needed as well-you will just get frustrated if you expect that you can shop without interruption! Try your hardest to be patient with your littles while still letting them know that YOU are in charge. You may want to rewrite your shopping list before you leave so that common things are grouped together–no need to go back to produce from across the store 5 times when you could have picked it up going by once! Do not answer your phone while at the store with kids-focus on getting what you need and getting out of there! If you see something you like at the store but you’re just not sure-snap a quick picture of the item with the price and decide at home for the next trip.

2. Expect your children to stay by you. The rule at the store for my kids is to keep your hand on the cart, or you get into the cart. I usually give the child a second chance to get out of the cart after a few minutes, but if they still run off they stay in the cart for the rest of the trip. Sometimes by the time we get to checkout, my oldest two are the ones in the cart while I am holding my 1 yr old on my hip and my 2 yr old is faithfully hanging on to the cart.

3. Let them help as much as they can. Mine think the lucky one gets to hold the shopping list! My oldest can read so he tries to help me read what is next. When it one of my girls’ turns, they are still excited to be responsible for it and show it to me for the next thing. Ask them to help you look for the item, and have them take turns putting items in the cart. Don’t create more stressful situations though such as letting your 2 yr old put the dozen eggs into the cart, or letting your 3 yr old attempt to put a gallon of milk in by herself. Maybe you should avoid letting your kids look at the toys if you will mentally freak about the ice cream melting? You know best! Avoid more stress on yourself but allow them to help as much as you both can handle. My 6 and 4 yr olds love helping put groceries into bags at Winco! Make them feel like heroes when you finally get home and need help bringing bags in!

4. SING! I can’t tell you how much it helps to just sing songs with the kids while we shop. It’s always a way better experience because it lightens the mood.  YES people stare or try to comment on it but realistically I have to ignore the stares and push on…I’m not going to be able to carry out a conversation with strangers when 4 monkeys are on(or in) my cart. I will do a future post on our favorite songs, but a few of our favorites include “the eensy weensy spider”, “I’m a little teapot”, “slippery fish”, and “3 little monkeys”.

5. Give them incentives to be helpful and behave. Getting to stay out of the cart is one, yes, but maybe if they are good they can each choose whatever they want from the produce section? Or get a gumball on the way out? Even if they don’t get to choose anything or get a gumball, maybe they can have a handful of that new cereal or a strawberry from the carton once they get buckled back in to the car?

6. Try not to plan a shopping trip that would last more than an hour-you just can’t expect your kids to behave for forever! Don’t put them through you trying on tons of clothes during a grocery trip…what I do is just purchase whatever it is that I fall in love with in 2 different sizes, hang on tight to the receipt, and return whichever didn’t fit.

7. Know when to quit. We get half way through a shopping trip sometimes when I realize I just want to yell and scream and send them all to bed for the rest of the day. This is not a good place to be and should probably end before it gets to this point! When I feel this happening, I am inclined to either check out with what I have or just leave the cart and go home with my sweethearts. One time I wanted to pick up a few things on the way home from dance class, but as soon as I park to go in the store, I look back at my babies and realize it would be a nightmare shop because they are cranky, tired, hungry, or just want to go home…so we did! To me sometimes it’s worth the money to stop and get the one thing I need from Walgreens or the convenience store so I don’t have to walk across the parking lot with my little kids and wait in line forever for one thing. OR figure out something else for dinner that doesn’t need that item.

8. Consider online shopping for gifts and non-food items. I love Amazon! Read about whether it would be worth it to you in this post!

What ideas do you have for shopping with little kids? Please share by commenting below! We would LOVE LOVE LOVE to benefit from your experience!!!

Happy shopping!      -your friend Jexi

Read about whether it would be worth it to you in this post!