Every mom is forced to do it sooner or later. The kids are tucked soundly into their car seats, but because of the need for tooth paste, or diced tomatoes, or milk she absolutely must do the dreaded deed—unbuckle those little minions and take them into the grocery store with her!
Here’s a few tips I learned to make that trip a little easier.
Step #1 Park next to a cart stall. Always.
Step #2 Have a short conversation about what is about to happen with your kids. Say something like this: “Hello Darling! This is going to be so much fun. We are going to go on an adventure and look for things that we can find on Mommy’s list! We’re going to go into the store and if you can be really good and help me find these things, when we are all done, we can get a cookie from the bakery!”
Step #2 Ask them if they understand these instructions and smile really big at them. Take a deep breath. Pray.
Step #3 Grab a cart and place your youngest child in the seat. Let your other child walk beside the cart. Ask them to put their hand on the cart so that they can stay with you and not get lost. Expect to remind them of this nicely throughout the store. (It will eventually become habit and you will have to tell your 9 year old to STOP holding onto the cart so you can push it easier!)
Step #4 Enter the store carefully yet confidently. You can do this!
Step #5 Remind the children what you have always told them. “Remember that we don’t ask for things at the store unless they are on the list. But, if you see something you like, you can say, ‘Mommy, I like that!’ I can then take a picture of it for you and I will add it to your wish list!”
Step #6 Let the kids help you find items if they can. Grab everything on your list as quickly as you can and head to the bakery counter to let your child ask sweetly for a cookie for being so good in the store!
Step #7 Check out, head for the car and praise the heavens above that you made it out alive!
Choose happy!
–April