Tammy's Ten: Tips for Grocery Shopping with Children

Working as a supermarket cashier allowed me to witness many embarrassing parenting moments. As a teenager, it was difficult to understand how challenging shopping with children could be. Parents would hand me open cereal boxes, empty banana peels and half-eaten bags of grapes. One child even threw a temper tantrum and smashed a bottle of cheese spread across my till. Looking back now, as a mother with two small children, I can empathize with what those parents must have been feeling. See Tammy's Ten for some great suggestions to make your shopping a little easier.

1. Get your children exited. Make it a special outing. Who's ready for a food adventure?

2. Choose a kid friendly store. Specialized buggies, free cookies and demo trays can be found at many of the larger chains.

3. Avoid rush hour. Try to shop when the aisles are clear and the checkouts are empty. Children are early risers. Be the first customer!

4. Postpone shopping if your children are tired, hungry, sick or just plain miserable. I'd rather serve cereal for dinner than take cranky kids to the store.

5. Keep your children comfortable. Remove hats and coats inside the store. Bring a sweater for the frozen food aisle. Bring their favorite blanket or push them in the stroller if it helps them relax.

6. Make a list. Kids enjoy preparing lists and checking for items in the store.

7. Learn to speed shop. Be quick. Don't spend forever choosing the perfect apple or price checking every bottle of shampoo. Your kids do not have the patience for it and will act out accordingly.

8. Get your children involved. Bagging apples, searching for broccoli, pushing the cart, holding the list, choosing the juice or picking out dinner are just a few ideas.

9. Keep them amused. Take advantage of those free cookies or pay for an extra slice of bologna they can eat in the store. Select a toy from the shelf for them to play with while you shop. You don't have to buy it.

10. Be flexible. Let your child walk instead of ride in the buggy. Hold your baby and pay for your food. It's amazing how parents can multi-task to keep their children happy.

In life there's always an element of risk. Even following every trick, your child will occasionally throw a fit in public. Remain calm. Try to distract your child. Refrain from bribing your child to stop screaming and remember your child is just going through a phase. There will actually be a time in your life when you will miss your enthusiastic little helpers. Even if your child is Dennis The Menace, don't despair. You won't be banned from the store for life, but the clerk may loudly ask for a price check on your tampons!