10 Tips To Survive A Shopping Trip With Kids

4. Set clear expectations

For kids that are a bit older, you might find that it helps to set clear expectations before a shopping trip. Sit them down and let them know just how this trip is going to go. You can do this in the car on the way. Make it clear that you will not be purchasing anything from the toy aisle, that tantrums absolutely will not be tolerated, and will have clear consequences that you should outline to them. That way, there’s no wiggle room for those cheeky monkeys!

5. Ask their opinion

As soon as kids realise they get to have opinions, which as any parent knows is surprisingly early, they love to share them with the adults in their lives. You can use this to your benefit on your next shopping trip by asking for your child’s opinion. Have them choose between two pieces of fruit of vegetables, make a choice on clothes, or choose a treat for themselves to enjoy with the family later. It all keeps them occupied and satisfied!

6. Have a tantrum action plan

Try though we might to avoid it, there will always be times that your child has just had enough and throws the thing we all dread: a tantrum. In a public place like a shopping centre, it’s pretty easy to freak out and do just about anything to get them to stop, but having a tantrum action plan can stop you backsliding on parental discipline. Know what you’re going to do, and make sure you step in early if you sense something building, and put a stop to it if possible.

7. Ignore judgemental strangers

Unfortunately, parents cop a lot of judgement. As mums know, that judgement is often unfairly levelled at mums when their children aren’t being the angelic cherubs the public expect them to be. Guess what? It doesn’t matter! The only people who can judge you or your children is you. If someone is shaking their heads at you in the shop, or (god forbid) tut-tut-tutting as they walk past, they can shove it. You don’t need to please them!

8. Give clear end point

For kids, it can often feel like shopping trips stretch on forever. That’s why, to keep things under control, it’s a good idea to give kids a clear end point to the trip, and use when/then language so they have a time marker followed by a distraction. So, you could say “When we find a present for Dad, then we can go home. What do you think we should get?” or “When we get everything on our list, then we can get something from the bakery. Can you find the peanut butter?”

9. Give them a job

Kids love feeling useful, and little jobs are a great distraction for older children to feel useful when they shop. You can do this by making kids grocery lists to tick off if you’re really organised, or by asking for help from them when shopping. So have your child pick up a bag of oranges and pop it in the basket, or have them help to count out produce and weigh it with you. This helps to build their confidence too!

10. Reward good behaviour

Shopping can be a stressful experience, particularly if your child just isn’t in the mood. So, even though you shouldn’t be doing it all the time, rewards for good behaviour are definitely in order in some cases. If your child has kept their cool while their sibling chucked a tantrum, or helped you pick up things in your shop, or been understanding about what they can and cannot be bought, you might choose to reward them.

How do you stay sane when you’re shopping with kids?