How do you grocery shop with toddler?

[american_mama]

Well, no one in my family is shrinking from lack of food, so I am managing to grocery shop with my 24 month old daughter, but it is so hard! How do others manage? Do you race through the store in 20 minutes? Will your toddler stay in the grocery cart and if not, how do you shop and keep eyes on the little whirlwind at the same time? Or do you grocery shop when you're alone, thus avoiding the problem?

Wondering what, if anything, I am doing wrong....

-- Karen

[brubeck]

I kept my daughter in the cart for a long time (long after 24 months). I would put her in it as soon as we arrived. If I let her run around a bit and then put her in the cart I would have more of a meltdown.

Never underestimate the power of snacks. I would bring some treat for her and a cup of milk and it would help keep her occupied. I always try to be in and out in 20 minutes so that part didn't change. :)

Having 2, I had a problem when #2 was too big to go in the Baby Bjorn and #1 still needed to be in the cart. At that point I just stopped grocery shopping unless DH was home to watch the kids. I did this for a few months, and then when DD was about 34 months she became more amenable to walking beside the cart and not running off. I had to train her to do this and we took it in baby steps: we would do it on short errands for one item, then for a couple. We started out in stores that were uncrowded and then progressed slowly to supermarket madhouse. I stll bring her snacks/milk and she entertains herself by pulling the coupons out of the display machines, but at least she follows me and doesn't pull stuff off the shelves. This was a case where waiting 6 months made a huge difference in her behaviour.

Since you only have one, another trick you could do if she doesn't want to go in the cart is to have her 'push' the cart. I sometimes have my daughter push the cart (or stroller if we're on some other kind of outing) and then she basically stays in front of me where I can see her. If she's a little more adventurous you could try instituting a 'keep one hand on the cart at all times' rule. Whatever works!

Good luck! HTH!

[MelissaTC]

I second bringing lots of snacks...and a list so you know exactly what you are getting and spending the least amount of time in there as possible...

We have a Lowe's Foods to go here...you order on-line and then pick up your groceries at the designated time...I have used it a few times and it can be a lifesaver...no need to get out of the car.

Good luck!

[Karenn]

For the most part, I think I'm lucky that Colin seems to enjoy riding in the cart. (Of course he's still on the young side so I may eat my words!)

One thing that I do which seems to keep him occupied is to let him "help." He loves to hold things for me. We made it through half the grocery store the other day because he was so entirely thrilled to be holding an apple. I also keep a couple of scrap pieces of paper in my purse or pocket and let him have his own "list." He really likes that. The other thing I do is try to go when he's well fed and well rested so he's least likely to melt down.

Of course I suspect very little of his behavior is related to any of my tricks. Like I said earlier, he really does seem to like the cart, so I'll count my blessings!

[lmintzer]

I have a one word answer: Peapod! For $4.95, groceries arrive at the house and are placed on my kitchen counter. Then, my exuberant toddler helps me unpack: "The Peapod man is here. Did he bring cottage cheese? Yogurt? Thanks Peapod man." (Jack does know what a grocery store is because he went with daddy a few weeks ago. Before that--he probably had no clue.)

[mamahill]

I don't think you're doing anything "wrong!" Ainsleigh stays in the cart, but if she starts to get impatient, I give her snacks or a pad of paper and pencil to draw with. I have been known to sing (quietly, most of the time) up and down the aisles. Or I play "I see juice/balloon/bear, do you?" I almost never grocery shop by myself, but mostly because I love doing it in the morning and I'm trying to teach Ainsleigh how to behave in public. But that's what works for me!

[mattiew]

I'm a wimp and usually make DH go - it's a family outing!

Carrie

[skygoddess]

Well, I haven't even attempted this with two, I just have Safeway.com deliver! The funny thing is that DD1 has one of those Little Tikes shopping carts and rarely plays with it, I think she has no idea what it is since she never sees me shopping!

Nancy

[raynjen]

I keep my whirlwind in the cart.

Unfortunately, living overseas and shopping at a commissary (military grocery store) there are NO off times. The store is open from 9 am to 7 pm with no delivery option.

We ususlly go right after Mommy and Me class (gymnastics) so that she has had a good bit of running around. We also have snacks (crackers and water). Sometimes I let her hold things but you have to be careful with this - one time she took a bite of apple THROUGH the plastic bag that it was in! Another time she reached behind her (it was late in the shopping trip with groceries stacked high) and poked her finger into the ground beef - eeewwww!

She also knows that if she behaves she gets to pick out a cookie in the bakery on the way to the line, this she gets to eat in line so I can pay attention to unloading the cart.

Jen in Okinawa
Mom to Noelle (2 1/3)

[alleyoop]

This is a challenge for us right now, too. I take DS to the park and let him run his little legs off for two hours (getting good and hungry), then we go to the store. He is usually pooped and pretty interested in the snacks I have brought to make it through the trip. The only problem with this is that when we get home and have to unload the car, I usually have quite a terror on my hands.

I have heard that a tape player with a story or song tape is the way to go, especially if it has earphones. Until then, I have been known to sing through the store, too. Nothing like a rousing rendition of "The Ants Go Marching One by One" to get you through produce!