How to Shop With Your Kids Without Losing Your Mind

Going to the store with small children is an inevitable part of parenthood. Nobody likes to be the parent with the whining child in the store. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you take your next trip to the store:

1. Pick the right time. Avoid going to the store during peak times (Friday nights, Saturdays, and weekdays after 3:00 PM are a bad idea). It is best to go first thing after breakfast in the morning when the kids are well-rested and fed. If this doesn't work for you, at least try to avoid times before meals and naps.

2. Have a pep talk. Tell your kids that you are going to go to the store. Remind them that it is unacceptable to whine, fight, or walk away from you while you are shopping. I remind my children, "What are we going to do at the store?" The answer: "Obey mom." This works for our family. Also, remember to have your kids go to the bathroom before you leave the house.

3. Be prepared. Make a detailed grocery list before you set foot in the store. You should know exactly what you are looking for so that you don't have to spend extra time combing the aisles. Children easily tire of being hauled around a store, and subjecting them to this will inevitably lead to whining. If you are familiar with the store to which you are going, make your list in the order you will go through the store.

4. Have a snack reserve. Inevitably, your children will be "hungry" when you are walking through the store. Who could blame them when the shelves are lined with food that looks appealing? If this is acceptable to you and you are willing to buy them something to eat, that is fine. However, if you already have a mile-long grocery list and are living on a budget, make sure to pack some snacks. I bring two small containers in the diaper bag, one with cheerios and one with sliced fruit. If my children do not want to eat the snacks, then I can safely assume that they are not terribly hungry.

5. Reward-Sometimes. I am not against giving kids incentives for good behavior. However, I think it is a problem when kids feel they deserve something for heeding their parents. When my children are good all the way through the store and do not ask for anything in return, I reward them. I may surprise them by letting them pick out a piece of candy at the check out, for example. If you always reward, you are setting yourself up for an argument, or even a fit, the first time you neglect to do so.

Yes, shopping with small children is inevitable, but it does not need to be uncomfortable or tedious for you. With a bit of good planning, communication, and appropriate rewards you can make your trips to the store a breeze.