By the time children reach school age, they can at least be reasoned with in regards to a trip to the grocery store.  My son, though, still has his “moments” where grocery shopping is the last thing he wants to do, and he will try his best to make it as miserable of a trip as he can.  So, here are some pointers to avoid the conflicts (or at least some of them):

• PLAN AHEAD!  As with any aged child, make a list and go into the store looking for specific items.  Aisle shopping is not nearly as efficient or successful with children in tow, so when at all possible, write down the things you need before you go to the store.
• Give older children ownership.  Arm your older child with a list of their own of things that are needed from the store.  Allow them to find the items on their list and put them in the cart.  If you don’t have time to create a separate list, hand your older child any coupons you plan on using.  They can use the coupons as their list.
• Turn it into a nutrition lesson.  Have older children compare sugar content on cereals, the difference between milk percentages, and which yogurt is the best for them.  Allowing them to help make decisions on brands to purchase can be a valuable lesson in cost comparison, too. 
• Lay your cards on the table.  Tell your child exactly why you are going to the store and how much you plan on purchasing.  I found that when my son knows we’re there for a cart-full of groceries, he at least understands that it will be a while before we check out.  Likewise, if I am only picking up four or five things, I have him hold me accountable to that.  It keeps me from impulse shopping.
• Our store now has an automated checkout area, so if we are only picking up a few things, I use this as my Secret Weapon.  Nothing smells more grown-up than scanning stuff at the grocery store.  If my older child is able to behave and be helpful while we’re shopping, then he gets to scan all the items from our cart (with my supervision).  The little one is the money-handler unless he’s had a particularly rough go of it at the store.  Knowing that they will get to do something a little different at the end of the trip is oftentimes the only incentive needed to behave.

Of course, an ideal shopping experience is one on your own, at your own pace, but more often than not, that isn’t an option for me and my brood.  Taking a few steps and being prepared will pay off handsomely in the long run.

The dreaded grocery store.  It is always such a precarious balance between getting the job done and keeping your young child or children occupied.  As children grow older, their needs (and demands) change, too.  Tips that worked wonders with little ones don’t seem to be quite as effective as children hit preschool age.  Here are a few tips to making grocery shopping with a preschooler a little easier (and fun!):

• Timing is everything.  If you can avoid peak hours at the store, by all means do so!  Also consider times when your child is especially cranky.  Needing a nap and hunger can hinder a shopping trip, so make sure your child is well-rested and fed.
• Make a plan.  Going into the grocery store without a list will most likely lead to missing items and things you weren’t planning on purchasing.  Write down everything you need to get.  Your child can watch you check items off the list, giving them a good indicator of “are we done yet?”
• Safety first.  Those lap belts are on the cart for a reason – use them!  If you have a cart seat or cushion with additional straps, by all means use it.  Never leave your cart with your child in it out of arm’s reach.  Children should stay seated in the seat portion of the cart at all times unless they are going to walk beside you.  Riding on the sides or front of the cart, sitting in the main basket and even helping push the cart can all be dangerous to little ones.
• Play a game!  Make shopping a fun adventure for your child.  Sing favorite songs, and make up your own songs based on things you find in the store.  Play “I Spy” along the aisles.  Look for familiar letters and numbers.  If your child wants to “help”, give them a coupon and have them locate the item on a shelf.  Most coupons have pictures of the item on them, and children can match the picture to the items on the shelves.
• Consider bringing a goody bag.  A small stuffed animal, a treat or drink are all great things to put into a grocery goody bag.  Allowing children to snack on items in the cart before they are purchased is not acceptable.  Children need to be taught to purchase items before using them.  Put a book in the goody bag – it will be a great distraction while you wait at the checkout lane!
• Make it a general rule to not buy “extras”, such as candy and toys.  Buy not doing it at all, the temptation is not fed and it is not an expectation the child has at the store.
• If your child isn’t able to behave or control themselves, leave the store.  It is far better to come back when your child is in a better mood, and it teaches the child that unacceptable behavior is just that – unacceptable.  Harsh punishment or words is not necessary – your child will get the message when you walk out the door.

Not every trip will be a walk through the park, but by practicing these tips, many issues that arise with preschoolers at the store can be minimized and even eliminated.  Happy shopping!

1. Plan Toys Inc. Recalls Toy Penguins Due to Laceration Hazard

Gone are the days of snuggling my baby in the sling as I perused the aisles of my local grocer.  No longer will he sit idly in the “bucket” (infant carrier) while I push the cart and make googly eyes at him from time to time.  Nope, that is all gone.  Say hello to Toddlerhood and a host of New Rules, especially when it comes to navigating the grocery store.

My first suggestion would be to forego the grocery store altogether with young children.  Eliminate the distraction from the get-go.  However, in many families (as in mine), this isn’t feasible.  After all, it isn’t recommended to lock your kids in the car while you shop, and if there’s no one else around to watch the kids, you’re looking at a few pairs of extra “helping hands” on the trip.  So, arm yourself with a few tips to make those aisles of temptation easier with your toddler.

First of all, plan your trip.  Go into the store with a list, no matter how long or short.  Write down exactly what you need, and if you are familiar with the layout of the store, order your items according to aisle.  If you are shopping with coupons (yes, it CAN be done), make sure they are in order as well to eliminate any “down time” while shopping.  As long as the cart is in motion, your trip will run smoother.

Keep those tiny hands busy and happy.  Pack a healthy snack – a baggie of Cheerios and a sippy of juice or a half of a bagel.  The distraction will keep your child from feeling the need to eat everything in sight and occupy those little hands as well.  Simple toys are another easy distraction.  Using links or a velcro ribbon to keep items from falling to the floor is a good idea.  Keep these special toys in a bag specifically for the store.  Bringing out a “new” (or new today) toy is a great way to keep a child occupied in the cart. 

Timing is everything.  Avoid stores around naptimes and mealtimes.  The only thing you will be walking away with will be a cranky toddler and a few “oh I know how you feel” looks from those of us who have been there.  And try not to hit the store during peak hours – lunch and after work.  Crowds are bad enough; crowds with a toddler are almost painful for you and the child. 

Establish some ground rules early on for your toddler.  Realize that, if you give in one time at the checkout to that bag of chips or that package of M&Ms, you will be doing it each time you return.  Teach your child from the beginning that the goal of the trip is to purchase groceries for the house, not to stock up on snacks while Mommy or Daddy pays.  Whip out that trusty bag of crackers or cereal when the munchies hit.

Take this moment to teach some healthy habits.  My boys both went through the “taste-test” period where they were interested in discovering the metal content of the carts with their tongues.  Both boys learned right away that this wasn’t necessary nor acceptable.  Enter the distractions – the snacks, the toys and the juice.  Crackers in the mouth?  Perfectly okay.  Shopping cart handle in the mouth?  Not so much. 

Streamlining your trip and keeping the experience simple will ensure an enjoyable grocery experience for all (or tolerable at least!).

Last week, my boys received a package in the mail – it was an Aquasaurs kit I had ordered.  An “Aquasaur” is a crustacean (named by the company, Uncle Milton, I assume) that dates back to prehistoric times.  It is a tiny organism that thrived in standing pools of water and could withstand years of inactivity and dry conditions in its egg state.  These hardy water-dwellers can be “hatched” in the right conditions and will grow to be about two inches in length, provided the conditions are right.

And therein lies the catch – if the conditions are right.  Reading the instructions is a must with this set up.  Stock up on spring water – at least 2 gallons of it – so that the container and all the “parts” can be properly rinsed.  Another big condition is the temperature of the water.  Our home tends to cool down in the evenings, so we are supplementing with a small desk lamp next to the aquarium to keep the water between 72F and 80F. 

I must say, that probably the best part of this entire process was that everything (including the eggs and food) was included in this kit.  The only thing that is needed outside of the kit is spring water.  There is no certificate to send off for larvae or a vial of animals, no special food to purchase from a pet store, no additional accessories needed.  Everything is provided.  The instruction sheet also gives some background to the animals and even gives you ordering information should you choose to purchase even more eggs (which I am sure we will do). 

Aquasaurs make a great pet set-up for children who are fascinated with creatures of any kind.  For my dinosaur-boys, this was an ideal choice.  Each day is a learning experience with our prehistoric pals.

Aquasaurs are provided by Uncle Milton and may be purchased through Wonderbrains!