Issue link: https://fredparent.uberflip.com/i/1526469
8 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • September 2024 Now that I am a well-seasoned mom with an older teen, I think I've become the woman in the grocery store that feels nostalgic when I see little kids. Instantaneously, I can recall the countless shopping trips with my son and the games we played to help the expedition go smoothly. They feel like a lifetime ago, yet something I actually look back fondly on. As stressful as it can sometimes be trying to shop with little ones, it can also be a bonding experience. I tried my best back then to keep my extremely curious and active toddler both occupied and well-behaved while I concentrated on shopping, and I want to share a few of my most useful tips now that I can look back on the past and reflect on it all: • Go Prepared: It may be obvious, but no matter the age of your kids, don't head to the grocery store without enough snacks, drinks, toys, and books to keep them occupied and satisfied. You can even designate a special "grocery store" bag that you keep in the car which contains toys and books reserved just for that time, making it a special occasion. • Plan Games to Play: I used to prepare scavenger hunts for the store before we went, so that my son had a mission to achieve while I shopped. For older kids, they can practice reading by trying to read the list and find what's on it. For younger ones, you can draw simple pictures of say, grapes and a carton of eggs, and they can search while you go. You can play oral "I Spy" or similar guessing games, like seeing who can be the first to find 5 purple groceries. Creating simple bingo cards is also a way to entertain multiple kids at once while keeping things fresh each visit. WRITTEN BY DEBRA CAFFREY practical pantry Keeping Keeping Kids Busy at Kids Busy at the Grocery the Grocery Store Store • Let Them Help: Giving your kids age- appropriate tasks not only can help you and keep them busy, but it is also teaching simple life skills that they can build upon as they age. Send older kids off to find the best watermelon, and have younger kids load the conveyor belt or tell you when they see the ice cream aisle. Even if it seems like a tad more work to delegate jobs, they give kids a sense of autonomy and prevent restlessness. • Embrace the "Halfway" Reward: My patented tip that worked amazingly when my son was younger was to reward him for being good halfway during my shopping, not at the end. This was strategic in that whatever the reward was (a little book, sticker pad, or a big lollipop) could also keep him busy for the rest of the shop and get him through the end. Finally, remember to focus less on what anyone else thinks if your kids are being loud or curious, and concentrate on these tricks instead. Have fun, teach skills, and be creative!