Heading to the grocery store or the mall after a long work week to pick up some essentials can be exhausting, throw in a few wild kids and it can be downright frustrating.
Sometimes you just don't have the time to find a babysitter or you've got to run a few impromptu errands, which mean that your kids will be joining you on the shopping excursion.
You love your children of course, but they aren't always the ideal shopping buddies. In order to avoid another in-store meltdown, you've got to take a few extra parenting precautions.
1. Choose the time of day wisely.
You know how children get when they're sleepy or hungry, so you will want to avoid planning your shopping excursion during lunchtime or nap-time. Make sure your kids are well-fed and rested before heading to the mall. This will give you a much better chance at a relaxing afternoon.
2. Before heading out, also make sure that you're stocked with some toys and snacks.
If they are on the verge of a tantrum, you can easily hand them something to distract and entertain them. Cheerios are a healthy and easy snack to pack. Fruit snacks are also a great choice.
3. Limit the trip length.
Your kids will probably be little angels for the first 45 minutes you spend browsing, but don't dwell in one place for too long.
4. Make your kids useful. Ask them to help out with grabbing items from the shelf or helping you find a particular item. They'll be in a much better mood if they feel included in the shopping experience, rather than being left out in the cart the entire time. Some stores even have mini carts (which, makes the kids feel super important).
