Josh Elledge - Chief Executive Angel
If there were ever a test for patience, it would probably involve sending you into a store with a toddler and a teen and seeing how long it takes for you to lose your temper.
Don't get me wrong. Children are fabulous ““ I have three of my own ““ but most seem to have perfected the fine art of pushing each and every one of our buttons. Take them into a store and they will undoubtedly be bored, obnoxious or desperately begging for something that is most certainly not on your shopping list.
The best way to stay sane is to leave the little people at home when you go to the store. However, I know that isn't practical for all parents so if you have to take them, try these strategies to keep your kids in line and your temper cool.
Adjust expectations
In my extensive experience mentoring new couponers, I find that going in with realistic expectations is one of the best ways to find success. For example, the couponers who know the TV show Extreme Couponing is an extreme fantasy tend to stick with couponing and save more money in the long run.
Likewise, parents who go into the store with realistic expectations are more likely to avoid feeling frazzled when the kids starting act like, well, kids. Don't plan on a 15 minute trip for 20 items if you have a toddler and a preschooler in tow and expect that some whining will be par for the course.
Plan in advance how to react
Along with adjusting your expectations, think about how you plan to react to the inevitable meltdowns and begging that will occur from time to time. Some parents like to reward their kids with a treat from the checkout counter if they are good, but others seeing that as training their children to only behave when a reward is involved.
Regardless of how you approach the issue, have a plan in mind. Will you leave the store? Revoke privileges? Let your child earn a reward? Know how you will respond, make sure your child knows your expectations and, most importantly, follow through as planned when the time comes.
Make shopping a game
We've talked about how to prepare for a child's bad behavior but what about how to encourage their good behavior? There are all sorts of ways you can make shopping a game if you have some time to spend in the store.
- Play peek-a-boo or sing softly to babies (really ““ other shoppers would probably rather listen to you hum or sing quietly to your baby than hear the person on their cell phone the next aisle over).
- Play I-spy with toddlers and preschoolers.
- Let younger kids retrieve items from the shelf and put them in a cart.
- Send tweens and teens off to pick up items on your list ““ send a coupon to help them find the exact item you need or have them compare prices to find the best bargain themselves.
- Break out the electronics. If you are in a department store and waiting for big sister to pick out a holiday dress, letting your 10 year old play Angry Birds for a while may keep the peace.
It's all in the logistics
Finally, you can increase your chances of a successful and stress-free shopping trip by planning the logistics just right. That means:
- Heading to the store at off-peak times so there is no crowd to fight
- Making sure everyone is fed and full beforehand (that means you too!) My kids are notorious for getting “hangry” (hungry/angry) if they haven't eaten in a while.
- Knowing where the bathrooms are located and ensuring everyone has had a chance to go at the start of shopping
- And absolutely no shopping during naptimes or after bedtime
Then hit the store with a smile on your face and stay positive. Remember, if Mom or Dad seems happy, the kids are likely to pick up on those good vibes and follow suit.
