Let’s face it. The supermarket isn't exactly a preschooler-friendly place. Think about it from your child's perspective. It’s a mammoth building filled with things they aren’t allowed to touch. They either have to sit buckled in a cart and be pushed or walk endlessly, staying right by your side (and again, no touching!).
But going to the grocery store is a necessity and unless you can get a babysitter every time you go, your preschooler is going to have to make the trip. Here’s how to get through it temper-tantrum free, with both of your sanity intact.
Explain why you are going
To your preschooler, a trip to yet another store is agony. But if you clarify why you need to go, they may be more welcoming to the idea. It may seem obvious to you, but to your preschooler, the supermarket is just one more place they have to go. Explain why you need to go to the store -- to buy dinner for the night, snacks for the week or juice for her preschool class.
Let him help you prep
When writing a list for the grocery store, get your preschooler to help you by writing up or drawing his own list. Be sure he brings it with him so he can check off items as you purchase them.
If you are a coupon clipper, by a pair of safety scissors and let your preschooler help. This will also allow him to practice his cutting skills. Show him the circular and ask him to find and circle items you’ll need to buy. This will get him involved in the process and makes him feel like he’s contributing. He can also cut items out of the circular and paste them on to his list. While in the store, have him search for the items he has cut out.
Timing is everything
Try to go to the store when it is relatively empty and your child is awake, well-fed and happy. Be sure to have your child go to the bathroom before leaving the house. Don’t go on a Saturday afternoon at your child’s nap time and expect a smooth visit. If going to the supermarket makes your child hungry, give them a snack before you go.Get her involved
You make lots of choices when doing the food shopping – why not let your little one make a decision or two? By giving her a stake in what’s being purchased, your preschooler will feel empowered and will be more likely to cooperate. Obviously they aren’t going to pick what cut of meat you will serve for dinner, but there are lots of opportunities for you to put the cards in their hands.Here are some examples:
- Pasta (you choose the variety, she chooses the shape)
- Dish detergent (you choose the variety, she chooses the color)
- Paper goods like toilet paper, napkins and tissues (you choose the variety, she chooses the colors)
- Dry cereal (give one or two boxes to choose from)
- Fruits and vegetables (if she picks them, she may be more likely to eat them)
- Juice (you choose the brand, she chooses the flavor)
Just be sure when you give your preschooler the choice, it is truly their decision to make. Give them options of what you want to buy, rather than offering up the whole cereal aisle and then you rejecting their selection because it is too expensive or not healthy enough. Let them choose between items you would be happy purchasing.
In fact, if you've got picky eaters at home, this is a great strategy to employ. Letting picky eaters make their own choices (with your supervision of course) when it comes to meals often leads to a smoother mealtime.
Make it fun
There are a few games you can play while you shop that shouldn’t hinder the process and may even teach your little one a thing or two.
- I Spy The classic game works well in a store filled with different sights, sounds and colors. Have kids find something different in each aisle – something round and red; Dad’s favorite cookies, something that starts with the letter “A.” The game can be as simple or complex as you like, depending upon the age of your child and how quickly you need to get out of the store.
- The Weigh Game When you are in the produce section, be sure to make a stop at the scale and weigh some of your fruits and vegetables. Get them thinking about size and weight. Ask them how much they think a certain item will weigh or which fruit weighs the most.
- Shopping List This take on “I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing…” will test your preschooler’s memory. In each aisle say, “I’m going food shopping and I need to buy…” and pick an item from your list. Add a new item for each aisle and see how many items your preschooler can remember from aisle to aisle.
Checkout Strategies
Probably the most dreaded part of the trip for most grown-ups shopping with a child is the check-out aisle. Full of candy, magazines and other assorted budget-breakers at a kid’s eye and hand level, this is the area in the store where most meltdowns occur (for both the parent and the child). Avoid tantrums by having your child bypass that area entirely by distracting them and putting them to work.
Older preschoolers who are standing can help load and bag items; just give them specifics to put away – say paper goods or dry cereal. Just be mindful of small fingers near the conveyor belt.
Make younger ones who are sitting in the cart your “lookout.” Ask him to find certain items, like cookies or grapes, as you are loading items onto the belt. You can also ask your child to hold the coupons and give them to the cashier.
Carry a Bag of Tricks
Sometimes, despite your best intentions, nothing will work and your preschooler will just be unhappy. For times like this, keep an emergency supply bag on hand packed with a snack, drink and a few small toys. This should buy you enough time to get what you need.
If things are really getting out of hand, you may need to leave the store. Annoying, yes, but it sends a strong message to your child that inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated.
When your preschooler behaves well at the store, be sure to heap on the praise. It will make them all the more willing to accompany you on your next trip.
