Tips for shopping with toddlers and children! - Page 2

mom2lucas · 03-27-2008, 03:52:27 PM

we put DS in one of those cart covers, strap him in, and I tell him what we are looking for while we shop. He points at stuff we normally buy as we walk past it on the shelf.

ladywaterwind · 03-27-2008, 04:10:09 PM

DD has 'favorites' that she likes that are on our shopping list, so I'll strategically shop through the store. Like if I need spices, she loves to hold the bottle, so I'll get that first, which will keep us occupied until boxed items, and then she'll need to hold one of those, and that will hold until frozen when we pick up her organic pancakes or waffles and she LOVES to hold that box.

Jiji · 03-27-2008, 04:53:15 PM

One word: CHEERIOS - one at a time.

julz5272003 · 03-27-2008, 05:08:19 PM

I preplan my list and coupons, that way I am not fumbling looking for them. I also go to the deli and get sliced ham for a snack rather than the cookies. DD likes holding the coupons so I give her a ziplock bag to put them in as I am crossing it off the list. She is also content with a pen and paper to color with. Bring a bag of toys along to keep them occupied.

TheWoman · 03-27-2008, 05:28:10 PM

Whenever possible I leave the little ones home with Daddy.

MrsPinecone · 03-27-2008, 05:33:44 PM

Oh, and in the RARE event that DS gets fussy, I get a slice of cheese from the deli. I don't mind a treat, but I'd rather give him cheese than a cookie.

cillastevens · 03-28-2008, 12:05:47 AM

I have the same problem. I try to do as much as i can as fast as i can and then do the rest with daddy in tow.

03-28-2008, 01:01:36 AM

Is she interested in colors yet? shapes? certain foods? My son is 2 1/2 now and was a HORRIBLE shopper at that age. Still isnt great LOL.

I used to say who can find the..... and name something like banannas... he would look and look like crazy until he found them. I would make a huge deal when he found what I said so he loved it.

also, at my stores cheese is at one end, cookie at the other. I would get cheese at the deli and then a cookie at the end, and we would talk about how many aisles to go till the cookie place all the way through the store!

hotcouponmama · 03-28-2008, 01:10:36 AM

Free cookies like Lesley mentioned! Total incentive...still is and my kids are long past riding in the cart! They love free stuff, and a cookie every now and then won't kill 'em!

MamaBird06 · 03-28-2008, 03:34:16 PM

Okay, so I have been doing this coupon thing for about 6 weeks and things are getting difficult with my 20 month ds. Dh works 12 hours a day 5 to 6 days a week so i pretty much have to take ds with me to shop, and he acts like a typical toddler who doesn't want to sit in the basket, he kicks his shoes off, so I have just started taking them off when we first get to the store so I don't lose one, I have almost done that 3 or 4 times. I have to give him suckers (which I don't really like to do) or raisins to be able to shop. So many times I end up forgetting something, or I am unable to find a coupon when I find a great clearance, so I end not getting the item or I have to go back to get it. At the grocery story the car carts are helpful, but places like kmart/walmart are not as easy. I have found I am going out in small trips nearly every day, just get good deals, and I would really like to make it 2-3 times a week. Dh does not like me going out shopping on his off day(s) because it is family time and I really don't want to have to pay a sitter, kwim? So, what are the veterans with kids tips?