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10 Tips for Surviving the Store with a Toddler |
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by jenlemen  (November 2006) (rank 22nd) |
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Tomorrow we are celebrating a major holiday in the US and the grocery stores are packed with shoppers making last minute purchases before they have to get in the kitchen and start cooking. Today in particular I felt a huge wave of compassion for the mothers who had to run errands
with cranky toddlers in tow. It took me my entire toddler parenting career to master some of these tricks, but here are a few ideas for parents who can't avoid bringing the little one along for that one final errand.
- Smile. Nothing sent my kids the signal to start wailing in a store like Mom in a bad mood. Fake it if you must, but know that a smiling face and an upbeat demeanor is sometimes all it takes to ensure smooth sailing.
- Restrain yourself. Do not, and I repeat, do not let your toddler walk, and for God's sake, do not lose your mind and let them push around one of the little kid carts. These are reserved for grandparent outings or when your partner takes junior to the store, not you. Strapped in a stroller or a cart will work just fine, and you'll have greater success keeping your little one within arm's reach.
- Maintain eye contact. This is where shopping carts work best. By looking into your child's face every now and then, you help them avoid the hysteria that is sure to ensue when they realize you really are temporarily more concerned with which cereal to buy than your little sunshine. Staying connected helps everyone feel better about an annoying errand.
- Pass the wallet. Brave shoppers like myself will pass the real deal over, but there's nothing stopping you from bringing a fake wallet along in your bag. Stock the wallet with little papers, stickers and cards from the junk mail on the kitchen counter. Little ones will love exploring while you make a wise decision over turkey or ham at the deli counter.
- Sing a song. We call it grocery store opera at my house. Instead of multi-tasking, just sing your grocery list to your toddler instead. My kids found this humorous, and we still have occasions where we break out in song to get the point across.
- Play a game. Now is the time to teach knock-knock jokes, I-spy-with-my-little-eye or any other little rhyme to keep their minds occupied. Playfulness is the love language of children and even a distracted effort while you comb the aisles has a calming affect.
- Employ your charge. Let your kids hold the bag while you pick the pears. Ask their opinion on creamy or chunky peanut butter. Allow them to hold the toilet paper until you make more room in the cart. The pre-school crowd loves to be needed--the more grownup the job the better.
- Take basic needs seriously. If your child is starving, thirsty, tired or wet, do everything in your power to address those needs as soon as possible. I sometimes brought a little pillow for snuggling if I thought my shopper was due for nap time. And there's nothing stopping you from opening up a bottle of water or buying a box of crackers on the spot to help your buddy be a happy camper. You can stay ahead of the game by trying to head off the disaster before it happens by offering sustenance and drink often and early. And the guys at the fish counter will watch your cart while you run in the back and get your trainee to the potty in time.
- Empathize. Sometimes kids are just having a bad day. Let's face it--you are, too. When worse comes to worse, say so kindly, "Are you having a hard time? Me too! Do you wish we could leave right this second?? Me, too." Let your kids be miserable since trying to convince them not to be will turn the intensity up one notch too many, more chances than not.
- Cut it short. Yes, you still need to go to the post office and you never got back around to the bakery, but that's okay. Sometimes your kids need to know that you get it, that this is just too much, and that you understand they need a break. This is your chance to call in the other parent for a store run--sans kids--on the way home from work.
