Tis the season for shopping. This may be one of the most frustrating parts of parenting: taking your child to the store. Many parents complain that their child will beg and have tantrums if they tell them they can’t have something. They get into a battle of wills and end up giving in due to the accusing stares of other patrons and clerks.
Fear not! Shopping with children in tow does not need to be stressful.
Step 1: Make sure children are fed and well-rested and that you are not pressed for time.
Step 2: Tell the children that you are going to the store to buy the items on the list and that you are not going to buy any toys or candy today. Ask them if they would like to help you be the detective to find the items on the list.
Step 3: Stand your ground. Calmly. When your child asks for something, calmly remind the child that you are only shopping for what is on the list. If the child starts to make a scene, calmly wait it out while saying “You really want that toy and it makes you so sad that we cannot buy it. I will wait for you to get out your feelings and then we will look for what is on our list.” Take deep breaths and ignore the looks from others.
Step 4: Once your child has eventually collected himself, say “Okay, let’s find the crackers.” Ignore the fact that your child has just had a tantrum. Just get on with the shopping.
Take this approach each time you shop and within several weeks your nightmare shopping trips will be a thing of the past.
On occasion make a special announcement: “How would you like to go to the ice cream shop today?” Not all shopping has to be without it’s treats.