Grocery Shopping with Children

I remember feeling very anxious about going grocery shopping when my first child was a baby. What if he cried? What if we took too long and missed his nap time? How would I manage getting him in and out of the trolley and the car, along with all the bags?

Now, when I look back, those days were laughably simple. Now, I know that I am capable of completing a trip to the grocery store with 3 mobile, talkative, and active children. Here are some tips I’ve learned through the years:

before you go:

• leave one or more children at home with dad if possible. Seriously.
• prepare a list, including expected prices and total budget, if possible
• try your best to pick a time when children are not due for a nap or a meal. Be prepared with a few basic snacks and a drink if your children are under 4.
• make sure everyone visits the bathroom before you leave, especially the one(s) in potty training.
• check your nappy bag.
• if your children are mobile, or verbal, go through your ‘store rules’ with them before you leave, or while in the car. If you don’t have any ‘store rules’, think about them before you next go shopping. My rules are:
• 1. stay next to mom
• 2. inside voices
• 3. hands to yourselves
• 4. no asking mom for things

at the store:

• park on level ground to avoid difficulty unloading the trolley afterwards
• hands on the trolley for younger ones (under 4). Around age 4 I start to let them have a little freedom within the same aisle as me, which they lose if they disregard my store rules.
• involve your children in the experience as best you can. Counting items, helping to load the trolley, finding items (for older children), talking about food, basic math... you get the idea. However I’ve found it essential to let only one child talk at a time - ie use the same basic conversation rules you would have in any other location, otherwise mom’s brain gets fried from too much input!
• be mindful of the tone of voice, the fingers, and the location of your children. This is the single hardest task for mom, and no-one can do it perfectly. However, don’t be afraid to insist on silence for a time, or to stop the trolley, or to cut short the grocery trip, if necessary for discipline.
• use your cheerful voice and frequent praise to reward helpful children and motivate unhelpful ones, even if you are being tested to the limit. Patience is like a muscle - it grows stronger with use.
• younger hands on the trolley, and older ones holding hands, as you walk back to your car
• load the children back into the car first, then take care of your bags and trolley.

after you return:

• get your children to help you unload and pack away groceries. Even 2 year olds can carry a box of tissues for mom
• if you have lots of goods to pack away, take a break after dealing with the cold and frozen items. Snacks for the kids (and mom!), plus a cup of your favourite beverage, can help everyone calm down after the trip and help mom tackle the remaining tasks with a good attitude.
• deal with any remaining discipline issues
• analyse the experience and plan any changes for next time.

I'd love to hear any tips you have for grocery shopping with children!