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!

[lukkykatt]

I usually go in the morning after I have dropped my older son off at preschool. I keep DS in the cart and I put on the seat belt as tight as I can. I bring snacks and a drink. When I get to the cashier (and yes, I know who is the fastest and get into his aisle if he is there), I organize all of my items so that all the things that need to go in the freezer or fefrigerator are together. When I get home, I unload the bags while DS is still in the car. Then I bring him in and at least put the cold items away. If he's not being helpful, then I don't worry about the rest until naptime.

Quite a little routine I've had to develop, huh? And yes, I used to do Peapod in the early days. Grocery shopping with an newborn and toddler was beyond me. Nowadays shopping by myself is a little slice of heaven!

[sugarsnappea]

One toddler was easy, if we went after her nap. 2 is posing quite a challenge. I now have to resort to putting my big girl in the "backseat". I NEVER wanted to allow this, but what else can I do. She is just too crazy to allow free rein anywhere, we were scolded at the library yesterday. :(
She knows she must stay seated, and arranges the groceries for me in the cart. It actually can be fun, if the baby is sleeping. I put the baby in her carrier at the front of the cart. This whole processed is reversed at Costco, since the backseats can accomodate the baby carseat.

The biggest problem I have encountered is the lack of space after groceries are packed into paper bags.
The poor baggers look at me like I am a complete weirdo! They ask me where to put the 10 bags. YIkes! There is no room for a toddler and BAGs of groceries. I usually carry about 4 and stuff the rest around my poor child, pushing the cart as fast as I can. :) I am learning to shop more often for less stuff.

[JacksMommy]

Jack absolutely hates to be in the cart, so we've instituted a behave or ride in the cart policy that seems to work pretty well. Letting him help by putting things in the cart is a big hit -sometimes I take things out of the cart for him to put back in if I don't have a good item at hand. Also, having him help push is very effective.

You're not doing anything wrong, just figuring out how to deal with your toddler and it's not easy! Jack was stacking up cottage cheese containers in the fridge section yesterday and most people thought it was adorable but at least one little old lady clearly thought I was letting my child behave very poorly. Oh well!

Laurel
Mama to Jack, 6/4/02

[pamela mom of 3]

Honestly i avoid trying to take my 3yo LOL :D

If i cannot, well sometimes he'll stay in the cart, a cart cover has actually oddly enough helped in this area, it make the cart "cushy" ;)

Having them help, you know ask them to pick up this and that..obviously not the breakables but the ok to drop stuff, ds loves to shop..almost too much actually as he tends to make his own little purchases lol

Snacks & toys can help, have a list...as you forget REAL fast what on earth you are there for, plus which isn't like all stores but our one food store has this seasonal lane, where they usually have different things out..easter etc something fun to go look at to take a different twist on the whole shopping trip..ds likes looking at all the neat things they have there plus sitting on all the spring outdoor furniture they haul out this time of year.

I think also the important thing to realize is some days it just is not gonna work out well and you may need to do a quick in/out..i have brought in a stroller on days like this and done a quick-shop for the must haves for the momment & waited for the longer trip another day.

It does gets somewhat easier tho, my 5 & 8yo are quite helpful at the store now, altho the i wants still creeps in sometimes :+




~Pamela Mom Of 3

http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/kao/otn/blobflower.gif

[luvbeinmama]

Juice. I think I always have their juice/water with me.

I make use of cool carts when available. Vons sometimes has these carts with a little "car" seat up in front of the cart (complete with belts). Ralphs has car carts but they CANNOT be used with 2 kids if one is in an infant seat unless you are buying just a few small items. When those are not available, DD is in the seat part and DS is walking (usually) or in the large part of the cart making room for the stuff, or I put stuff below. (I don't let him walk around in Costco or certain other stores where it's too crowded.) DS is a handful, but manageable for the most part. He likes the little carts for kids, but sometimes he gets half-way through the store and wants ME to push it for him. LOL! Yeah, right... I just put his stuff in my cart at that point. I've always just taken the kids with me, so they & I have just kind of gotten used to managing. It's pretty rare that I'm able to go by myself. Anyway, I will also put DS in the cart if he is misbehaving, and he knows it. I've had to do that in the past, not really anymore.

HTH.

[egoldber]

I second having snacks and drinks available. And signing also really works for us! I also kepe up a running commentary through the store about what we see and do.

All that being said, sometimes she will sit in the cart happily and sometimes NOT happily. Recently we have negotiated a deal. :) She can get down and walk, but she has to stay close by me and do what I say or its back in the cart. After a couple tests of that rule, she now does pretty well. She walked with me through Target yesterday for about an hour. I felt like we had a major breakthrough!

[cma]

I put bells on all of DD's shoes...so when she's walking alongside me at the store I can hear her while reading ingredient labels!

DD doesn't like the grocery cart...which is fine. DS is just starting to like sitting in there.

I try to grocery shop when DD is at her sit 'n play. But if that's not possible, then I bring both kids to the store. It's some sort of combination of one in the cart and one in a sling or one walking along with me. And those bells help a lot!

HTH

[american_mama]

>She is just too crazy to allow free rein anywhere,
>we were scolded at the library yesterday. :(

Yes, I get scolded on a weekly basis at the grocery store because my daugher climbs out of the seat and then runs everywhere. I can chase her while I am shopping, but once I am in line, forget it. Strangers regularly lead her back to me in line, but it always seems to end with her crying, me sweating, and the entire store glaring at us.

I may be somewhat to blame because I like grocery shopping and am none to speedy about it, although I do come with a list, categorized according to the aisles at the grocery store. I give my daughter snacks, but they only entertain halfway through the shopping expedition. What can I say? We just keep muddling through, but thanks to all who offered their tricks!

-- Karen

[Chelsey333]

Some days are better than others. I go first thing in the morning when there will be less people and less lines, Mondays usually. I also make sure that I bring a snack. A snack helps out for at least 20 minutes. I don't usually let him out of the cart, bec that would be a nightmare. Usually when we get to the checkout, that is when things get a little rocky. But lately I try to distract him by having him help me put things on the counter. That helps out a lot.

[Kimberly H]

You're all too brave for me!

I wait until Monday night and Mia's in bed, then I take the 15 year old and we shop together, then we use the self-check at Wal-Mart... I scan, he bags.

When we get home, he unloads, I put away. Dad provides the $$ for take-out that night and usually handles Mia before we go so I can make the shopping list and do whatever else needs to be done that night.

Apparently I grocery shopped with two toddlers eons ago when the boys were little, but it must've been a nightmare of a memory because I sure don't remember it!

[toomanystrollers]

ROFLMAO - I regularly go with all three :) Practice makes perfect - HA HA HA. I cruise down the aisles at lightening speed and I haven't used coupons in years.

[redhookmom]

The carts with car on the front are GREAT! As long as my kids stay on thier side I can actually think!!

When my DS was 3 we would take his shopping cart with us. Some little toy cart. He loved pushing it and took his job looking for goldfish and yogurt quite seriously!!