Supermarket survival
The supermarket is an exciting place for small children, but sometimes it can all get too much and they go into overload. There are ways to make shopping a less stressful time for children and parents.
On this Page:
Plan
Try not to go shopping when you're in a hurry or your child is hungry or tired. It might be tempting to fit the shopping in after a morning out and about, but chances are your child will be tired and ready for a quiet time at home.
Involve your children in writing the list beforehand. Give them some options, for example what sort of cereal they want. Give two or three choices and then both look for those items when you get there.
"I try not to go when the children are hungry and tired."
When you're there
- Take along a small toy that they can play with.
- Bring something for your child to snack on as you shop.
- Give them some choices: "Strawberry or apricot yoghurt?".
- Try to avoid things you don't want to buy, but that your child will ask for - like the sweets aisle.
- Give them a job, for example holding the list or coupon book. Ask them to look for things on the list.
- Keep them safely in the trolley. That way you can talk to them and involve them, and they won't disappear. If you've got more than one child, the others can hold onto the trolley as you go round.
- Managing a small baby or toddler can get really tricky. Try to shop at times when someone can come along to help or perhaps they can look after the children at home.
The checkout
- Play games as you wait, such as I Spy. With young children use colours: "I spy something red".
- Give them some groceries to put on the checkout counter.
- Thank them for being helpful.
"The checkout operators usually talk to him when he helps. He really enjoys that."
If things start going wrong
- Don't give in to demands. Try distracting them by asking them to find something they like on the list, give them a bit of food or a drink.
- Stop the trolley. Explain quietly that you need their help and when you get home you can both do something they like.
- Keep calm. Try not to show your anger. Count to 10. If you're next to something your child wants, move the trolley to a quiet corner.
- Don't worry about the other shoppers, most of them will have had children and will know what you are going through.
