 |
Steps: |
| 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. |
| |
 |
Warnings: |
| |
Making
threats to your child about bad behavior and
what will happen when you leave the store will
only increase your stress level and the anxiety
of your children. |
