Hello!

Because of our scheduling, when I go grocery shopping the kids have two come with me. Oh My God!!! There is not one shopping trip that doesn’t end in me telling one or both of them off. If they’re not arguing, screaming, hanging off the trolley, bumping into others, then it’s not a shopping trip. Any tips on how to manage?


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  • Its not easy… wishing you good luck


  • We time shopping too which is another game!


  • Always give them the responsibility of finding particular items. We just make everything a game and fun!


  • Have a list where they can help find things off it, or do click and collect


  • I do all my shopping online. It’s worth the delivery price to avoid crowds, tantrums and chaos.


  • A couple of time my little one has screamed the building down when I have tried to do shopping, and each it I’m just left and gone home. Then after an hour or so when he has calmed down, we venture out again.


  • I order my groceries on line and then I just pull up to the store and my groceries are put into the car. Best idea ever


  • I used to take my 4 kids, (4 under 4), if they were good they got a treat, like a chocolate bar or something. Somedays, were harder than others and some kids were hard work than others. They are teenagers now and if they come and help, they still get to get a chocolate bar or chips or something. LOL.


  • Set the ground rules and don’t deviate. If they behave they get a treat, if not, no treat. It might take a couple of goes, but the idea will sink in to them in the end. Good luck. Cheers.


  • I only have one child but I used to give him jobs to do and/or work from the list and ask him to help me. It kept him entertained for a while. And then when he started kinder, I made sure my shopping was done during that time!!!!


  • That a tough one, if you’re like me I prefer to shop in store than online. Set out rules and give instructions on how the shopping trip is going to work. Give them times, such as 1 can help push the trolly with me while the other sits in it munching on a snack then swap them over. Also offer a reward for being well behave.
    This did work for me when they were younger but everyday is different with kids and what works for a bit may not later. Good luck


  • Fortunately I write a list and send hubby most of the time otherwise I order online and do direct to boot click and collect. No way can I take the kids through every week with me, I do not have the sanity for that. Occasionally I have to do it and it always ends up with them getting a beide or something to be good!


  • The solution that works for me , as a working full time solo parent is this:
    I do the main big shop online and have the supermarket deliver. I do this every 2 to 3 weeks. Bits and bobs and fresh stuff I will get either one lunch break a week and or I take the kids with me, to buy those specific items. Each kid has to remember one or two things and depending on behaviour they may or may not get a reward afterwards. (banana or iced bun, that sort of thing.)
    I dont take them on a main big shop instore because it takes too long and they are too little, and also, I dont have a car, so I’m saving the planet in a small tiny way. The kids learn without it stretching on too long. I guess it also depends very much on the age of the kids… Mine are all under 8.


  • If you can, try to shop when they’re not with you. I try to be firm with mine and ask them to stay close, holding the trolley. You can always offer a reward for good behaviour after. Having a shopping list and a game plan is a must.


  • How about setting up a good behaviour reward? Don’t tell them what you will reward them with until they have complied with your request. For example, I would give my children an iced donut allowing them to choose their favourite and a milkshake. This was something they liked and believe me it worked for me. If they misbehaved, and let me clarify, they didn’t always receive a reward, it all depended on their behaviour, then they received nothing. They soon learned to behave because they never knew whether or not they would be the recipients of a treat. It worked for me.


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