The holiday season is filled with extra shopping both at the grocery store and the mall; and unfortunately, little ones aren’t always the most helpful shopping partners. This post will cover a few tips that will (hopefully) lessen the begging, whining, and all out tantrums.
Do Kids Hate Shopping?
It may seem like your children hate shopping, but the shopping itself is not usually the problem. Adults tend to take a business-like approaching to shopping – serious, efficient, and practical. Children don’t like activities that do not come with a side of fun so these trips are often boring and wear on a child’s limited patience.
Adjust Your Mindset
Shopping trips and running errands give you an opportunity to multi-task – blending necessary work with bonding time. You can check off some things on your to-do list while spending quality time with your child – plus you can teach practical things about the world. Adjust your mindset. Take on a patient, pleasant attitude that will rub off on your child. The more successful, enjoyable shopping trips that you have, the easier it will become.
Stop Rushing
Take the time to plan out your errands and organize your shopping lists. It may seem like extra effort upfront, but it will make things much more enjoyable (for you and your child) while you are out. Roaming various stores without an organized list makes for a much longer trip, and you may get frustrated that you are unable to focus as well with your child along. Moods are contagious – so if you are not in a rush, your child will also be more relaxed.
Let Your Child Help
Shopping can be boring for children, but getting them involved in the different steps of the shopping process can often be enough to keep them entertained! Children can find certain items on shelves, pick out produce, hand over coupons or store cards, and carry things to the cart. You can even create a list of items that your child is responsible for by using pictures or simple words based on your child’s age and ability to read.
Listen to Your Child’s Desires
As adults, there are plenty of things that we would like, but we can’t have. So it is understandable for children to also desire things that they see in the store. Of course, it is our job as parents to help our children learn that we can’t have everything that we desire. Part of this process is acknowledging those desires: “Wow! That is a very pretty doll!” And then you can go on to explain why you will not be buying the doll in addition to what you will be buying: “We’re not going to buy any toys today, but I do need help finding some apples!”
Prevent Potential Problems
Allow your child to bring a pencil and paper so that anytime they see something they want they can write it down (or draw a picture of it) for their own “wish list.” You can also prepare your child before entering the store to give them an idea of what to expect. You can lay the ground rules ahead of time, which could include choosing one small treat each time. You will also want to go over a list of shopping rules before each trip. These could be the top five things that your child needs to be mindful of in the store, such as walking and using an inside voice.
What Not to Do
Plan your day so that you do not take your children shopping while they are hungry. If it has been even an hour since your children last ate, brings snacks, or let them pick out a snack at the beginning of your shopping trip (you can always pay for an empty bag at the end). Many stores offer children a free cookie or banana – ask a manager. You will also want to avoid shopping too close to naptime or bedtime, since tired children are fussier. Take the store’s busy hours into consideration as well. A quiet store with shorter checkout lines is much less stressful for both you and your child.
Tips from The No-Cry Discipline Solution
The No-Cry Solution Books
Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic Series
