I dread going to the grocery store. My toddler does not enjoy sitting in a grocery cart for any length of time, and it’s inevitable that at some point while I’m there the baby wants to nurse. What should be no more than a 30 minute trip can take nearly an hour (or longer). If I wait until my husband gets home and complete dinner and bedtime routines, many of the natural stores I shop at are already closed. So, I’ve come up with some tips that help make the process go a bit smoother (although I still try to enlist my husband’s help whenever possible):
Time it right! Try to avoid shopping during naptime or at the end of the day when your child is least able to handle the trip. Get to know your store’s busiest days/times and try to avoid them (our store’s busiest days are Wednesdays around 6).
Get down to the basics! Ensure that your children are not hungry, thirsty, tired, or wet. Taking care of basic needs before the trip can help minimize interruptions.
Entertain, occupy, and distract! Several of the grocery stores in our area offer bright-colored cars attached to a shopping cart. One of the stores even offers shows from the Disney Channel in their cars. I also like to sing or play I Spy with my son when the store doesn’t offer those cute little cars.
Treat them right! Snacks (particularly those that take a long time to eat) can provide a bit of relatively uninterrupted shopping time. I like to bring my son’s OnTray to store snacks in. This portable container attaches to the grocery cart and can be used for hold snacks, toys, and anything else you can think of. OnTray is BPA-free, microwave and dishwasher-safe, and can be used for children aged 6 months to 5 years (retails for $7).
Get them involved! I try to include my son in some of the shopping choices, particularly when it comes to picking out his food. It makes him feel important and gives him yet another thing to do.
Order in! Every now and then, I utilize a grocery delivery service. This is one instance where I choose to pay for convenience to avoid the stress of a toddler meltdown.
No compensation was received for this post. A product sample was provided by OnTray.
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