| Every parent knows that shopping with children can be | | | | it's helpful to share in the child's interest in it and explain |
| very challenging. Tantrums can be excruciatingly | | | | what it is, what it is for and why it can't go into the cart |
| plentiful in the shortest of shopping trips. However, | | | | 5. If you're shopping with pre-school children, get them |
| parents can ensure a more peaceful supermarket | | | | involved in counting and choosing items. This will be a |
| excursion with the following guidelines. | | | | learning experience for them and would also keep their |
| 1. If you're planning to shop with your children, plan it | | | | attention away from other unnecessary activities like |
| ahead. Determine beforehand where you'll be going | | | | reaching out for items you don't have a need for. |
| and what you'll be looking for. Inform your children the | | | | 6. When your children want something they can't have, |
| kind of shopping trip they can expect. But if your kid is | | | | saying no without being subjected to temper tantrums |
| not especially comfortable in supermarkets and tends | | | | can be mighty difficult. It might help to promise the kids |
| to get cranky every three minutes, then it's best to go | | | | that they can have it the next time you go shopping, |
| shopping alone. | | | | but only when they promise to be good. When turning |
| 2. Shopping with your kids can be totally stressing. | | | | down your children, be sure to accompany the act |
| Before you go ahead with that shopping trip, be sure | | | | with a smile and a hug. |
| that you aren't stressed out yourself, have eaten | | | | 7. If you have reached your limit, deal with your |
| something and have the patience needed to survive | | | | negative emotions positively. Go outside with your |
| the trip. Shopping with the kids is also easier if the | | | | children, get refreshed and enjoy a few minutes of |
| children are well-rested and have been fed. | | | | fresh air away from the shopping crowds. This will |
| 3. Shopping with children also mean that you have to | | | | improve your shopping mood greatly. |
| be attentive to their needs. They might get hungry or | | | | 8. If after all the well-meaning suggestions have been |
| thirsty so be sure to have a snack or drink on hand. | | | | put to use and you still cannot stop your child from |
| Children may also be intimidated by the supermarket | | | | throwing tantrums, don't force it. Postpone your |
| crowd and be overwhelmed by the surroundings, most | | | | shopping and tend to your child who might be feeling |
| especially when activity in the stores are hectic. Give | | | | exhausted and just wants to go home. Pushing it |
| them a reassuring hug once in a while. | | | | would only lead to more stressful situations. |
| 4. Since children are innately curious beings, they might | | | | Shopping with children could be an unnerving |
| want to reach out for every colorful item that takes | | | | experience. But by working their way around it and |
| their fancy and play with it. Instead of scolding them, | | | | setting the pace appropriately, parents will find that |
| teach them how to hold it safely or inform them gently | | | | even with the youngest child, shopping can be |
| that they can only look at it and not touch it. While the | | | | enjoyable. Plus, shopping is also a good opportunity for |
| item may not necessarily be part of your shopping list, | | | | them to connect with their kids. |