5 tips to avoid tantrums while shopping

I live in a household of four, and at the moment my husband is the only one working. Which means I am a stay-at-home mother. This is not something I wanted to be ever. But I am. And when it comes down to grocery shopping it is like Hell froze over.

Seriously, I thought work was hard. Grocery shopping with youngsters is far more exhausting and stressful. Like when you need to get the peanut butter, and they so cleverly put it down the most dreaded aisle ever the candy aisle. The candy aisle is hard enough to go down without kids.

This is when you try to craft ways in your mind to keep your little one distracted so you can quickly grab it. I try to pretend I am a ninja. Or someone like Indiana Jones after that sacred item.

But let’s face it they see that candy and it’s over. There little eyes light up and they want everything. Every few inches you hear, “oh can I have this”… and you sigh and say no. They see a box of their favorite candy and once again you stay strong and say no. This time they throw a fit.

But let’s face it they see that candy and it’s over. Their little eyes light up and they want everything. Every few inches you hear, “Oh! Can I have this”… and you sigh (again) and say no. They see a box of their favorite candy and once again you stay strong and say no. This time they throw a fit.

Not just any fit an all-out tantrum. I mean crying, falling to the floor and refusing to get up tantrum. And everyone stares at you, tantrum. The ones that make you want to crawl into a hole and hide. The ones they make you feel like a bad parent, because you can’t keep your child from throwing it.

Not just any fit. An all-out tantrum. I mean a crying, falling to the floor, refusing to get up tantrum. An everyone stares at you, tantrum. One that makes you want to crawl into a hole and hide. The type of tantrum that makes you feel like a bad parent because you can’t keep your child from throwing it.

Sadly they are not always avoidable. But there are some tactics that can help you make it through uneventful.

Sadly these histrionics are not always avoidable. But there are some tactics that will help you make it through wih at least a small part of your dignity intact..

1. Snacks!!! Hit up the hot food section and get them something to munch on while you shop. I get my daughter potato wedges. Work like a charm. Or you can give your child another snack that you brought. It keeps them quit for part of the time.
2. Help!!! Have your little one help you out a little bit. You can keep from bending overdoing this too. Whatever is within their reach let them get. They love to help, so why not let them. They will be so proud of themselves and might even mind the rest of the trip. Not to mention it teaches them what things are on the shelves. Which means they are learning.
3. Bribes!!! I sometimes tell my little one we can go to the park afterword’s if she is good and helps. This helps me out. When I do this I usually make sure all the cold stuff together so it does not melt. Don’t buy ice-cream with this method. If it’s within budget I also buys some food for a picnic at the park. Or you can try candy, toys or books. But make sure it’s agreed on earlier.
4. Carrier!!! If you babe is small enough put him in acarrier. I usually have my newborn in the carrier and the toddler either walks or sits in the basket. That way I don’t have a problem with the infant. This works for younger toddlers too. You can just throw them on your back.
5. Strategize!!! This takes a little extra time, but it is so worth it. Make sure you grocery list is in order from the first items you come to. And listed in the fastest possible route. This will help keep you from forgetting something too. Or having to go back for it. I hate this, I usually leave without it. I am to tired and do not want to go back and get it.

These are my strategies for making it through the store. It does not always work. I have scoured the Internet looking for some full proof ones. In the end though I just did what I could as a desperate mother.

Grocery shopping with kids is difficult, but it’s not always easy to get help, or in my case impossible. Even when my hubby come along to help he is usually tired and complaining by the end of the trip. Which makes it even harder for me. I try not to take him. He isn’t much help. He will usually carry the baby and let me do everything, not understanding that he can lift things to. He means well. And I suppose just him keeping the baby occupied helps quite a bit. He does his part.

I remind him that I usually have to all of this by myself while carrying the newborn and our toddler. He does not get it though. I should just be thankful he was willing to go in the first place. I am not working and I find shopping with the kids stressful, he must really have a hard time with it.

In the end I hope this helps other mothers who suffer the same problems.

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Hello I am a new blogger and mother of two. I currently stay at home, and thought I might blog for fun. So far it has been a great experience.
 

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