Lessons and Tips for Grocery Shopping With Kids

Some people love to grocery shop, others absolutely hate it.  Personally, I have been in both of those camps.  For me, it all depends on who is coming along with me.

Let me start by saying that I am at the point right now where I do my grocery shopping on the weekends, without my kids.  I know that plenty of moms out there take their kids along during the week to run their errands, and I know I could as well.  Usually, my kids are fine on smaller errands at different stores.  They love Costco, are well behaved in Target, and think the mall is equivalent to Disney World.  I do consider my kids pretty well behaved, however, I know their limits.

I took my older daughter grocery shopping with me when she was a baby and a toddler, before her sister was born.  I never thought twice about it – it was easy.  Then, her sister was born.  Her colicky, “I hate my car seat,” little sister.  That was rough, and I tried taking them both a few times.  That didn’t last long.  I wore my baby in a sling or a front carrier, but the trip usually ended in tears (both of us) while my older daughter quietly watched the chaos.  It got better as they became older, and at one point it was easy.  My one year old sat nicely and played with toys, while my three year old rode in the little car attached to the front of the grocery cart.  It was easy, and it didn’t last.

Now that I have a two year old and a four year old, I realize it’s just too much of a hassle to take them grocery shopping.  And yes, I know I could bring them along – but frankly I don’t want to.  I just don’t see how I can ask kids that age to (a) sit still in a cart, (b) walk beside me without grabbing stuff, and (c) not get incredibly bored for the hour that it takes.  I see other moms doing it, and I applaud them – I’m just not one of them.

I don’t expect to continue my weekend grocery trips for very long, though.  My four year old actually starts preschool this week, and I think that having her removed from the equation will make grocery shopping much easier.  Just having my two year old to interact with will probably give me enough brain power to both shop and keep her entertained (and well behaved) at the same time.  I’m hoping my prediction is accurate, so I can stop spending my Saturday mornings at the store (even though it is a nice break…).

Looking back over the past four years, here are some of the best lessons I’ve learned for grocery shopping with kids.

• Always, always park near the cart return. This may be a no-brainer, but I have to say it anyway.  (Also, some stores do have pregnant-lady parking, up close to the store.  This is helpful if you only need one or two things, or if this is your first baby and you are still shopping alone.)
• Try to get one of those carts that are made for moms with children. Sometimes they have little cars in the front of the cart where kids can sit, or perhaps there is an addition to the cart with seats for kids to sit.  These carts are great, as well as the carts that are found in warehouse stores.  Costco’s carts sit two children in the seat, instead of only one.
• Look for a store that has child-care. These wonderful places do exist! My local store provided this free of charge, for ages 3 and up.
• Order your groceries online, and pick them up at the front of the store. If you have a new baby who fusses way too much to spend an hour or two at the store, consider online grocery shopping.  It is more expensive, but I assure you it is well worth it.  When I had my second daughter, I spent the first three months online grocery shopping at the local Harris Teeter.  It was such a blessing to have this service, and it made my life so much easier!
• Pack snacks, and remind your kids that you have them. Say something like, “once we get to the part of the store with the milk, I will give you that juice box.”  If your kid knows that good behavior will earn them some animal crackers half-way through the trip, it will keep them focused both before and after you break out the animal crackers.
• Have your infant nap while you shop. Shopping with a newborn or an infant can be easy, or hard.  It all depends on your kid.  If you have a baby who sleeps well in their car seat, consider timing your outing with their nap.  Ideally, the car ride will put them to sleep.  Once you arrive at your destination, you can remove the infant seat from the infant base in the car, and carry your sleeping baby into the store.
• Avoid bathroom breaks. If you have a child who is potty trained, make sure and have them use the bathroom before you head to the grocery store.  If the child is newly potty trained, have them go again at the store before you actually begin your shopping.  And always bring spare pants, just in case.
• Consider where your kids are at. For my kids, after breakfast and before lunch is the best time for an outing.  Make sure your children are full and well rested before you take them to the store.  Decide when their best time of day is, and tackle the store during that time period.
• Last of all, DO NOT compare yourself to any other moms.  If your kid has temper tantrum at the store, you can be sure that the mom in the next aisle has dealt with that as well.  If you have the kid who opens up a box of cereal and dumps it all over the aisle, don’t worry.  Clean it up and move on.  People have either been in your shoes before, or they will someday.  Keep shopping, and don’t worry about it.

- Grace

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5. Temper Tantrums in Public – Don’t be Embarrassed!