WFMW: No Fuss Shopping w/Kids

As much as I would love to schedule a regular shopping day or time to go myself minus the kiddos (specifically the littles), my husband's work schedule is sporatic and inconsistent so many times I do take my children with me. Normally all the kiddos will go and my big girls help me with the little ones but at times (like this week b/c my girls are at camp), it's just me and my boys.

Wally World and Target are our favorite places to shop on a regular basis and about a year ago, I figured out a way to make the trip fuss-free.

For either shopping trip, the first section we go to is the toy section...YES...the toy section. Each boy gets a toy that he can play with while we shop. Because these toys are new to them and therefore they are in awe, this can give me at least 30 - 45 minutes of preoccupied kiddo shopping time.

When we go to Super Target it's even easier. We go straight to the food section and order a popcorn/drink combo all for the grand total of $1.08. This holds them for another 30-45 minutes at which point if I need more time, I can then head to the toy section!

Now, I know someone is wondering what in the world I do when it's time to leave the store and the kiddos have to put those toys back. Well, the first time that Sumo (the 4yo) whined about having to leave his toy, I told him the Buzz Lightyear couldn't come home with us because his home was the store and he had to sleep there. When he started to whine a little louder, I bent down and said in his ear, "if you don't stop crying and put Buzz Lightyear down then we won't be able to get a toy the next time we come to the store". This did the trick.

Now lest you think that I always have it that easy, there have been a couple of times where we left the store with a crying child BUT...the next time we came to the store, I followed through and didn't go to the toy section. I actually planned a trip to the store specifically for that purpose....to show him that I meant what I said.

You could always bring a toy from home but I've found that the trip is so much more exciting for the kiddos when they look forward to playing with something they don't have all the time.

The favorite toys for my boys are toys from the movie "Cars" or "Toy Story". Sumo is starting to get into "Diego". Kano (the 2yo) just goes for anything. He tires out much faster than Sumo so I may put a couple of other things under the basket for later.

I have other tricks for shopping too. When we go the health food store, there are no toys there but there is raw honey. I fill up the little container and let each boy dip their finger in (ummm...). I might also go straight to the bananas, take two to the register pay the whopping 40 - 50 cts, and let them eat while I shop. Toys or food, the key is preoccupation :) We rarely buy cereal (at least the sugery kinds) but even a cereal box will hold the attention of a young 'un for while.

It's amazing what this little practice has done for my sons. They have definitely grasped the concept that just because I want it now, doesn't mean I get it now!

Believe it or not, the bribery doesn't last forever, somewhere in there, they learn that Mommy will go the store and they will have to go to and BEHAVE. I do go shopping at times when I either don't feel like toys or don't have time. Children are wonderful, they can learn to do anything. I just tell them, "no, not today...we are not getting toys".

Anywho, it works for me!

Be sure to check out Rocks in My Dryer for more Works-for-Me Wednesday tips.