Happy End of school season! My little one isn’t in school just yet, so she doesn’t quite understand summer vacation, but I sure know and appreciate the long summer days. On top of all the excitement of the warmer weather, we also just bought and moved into a new house which means lots of shopping (oh darn).
When you go shopping what do you do? Bring the little ones along with you or keep them at home with someone else? We generally like to bring Princess I Need to Be Entertained Every Minute of Everyday with us on shopping trips. Whether we are shopping for groceries, summer toys or for our new house.
When shopping, I like to encourage Princess I Want Everything In the Store to help Mommy pick things out, be a good girl and when were done she can pick out a special treat for herself. Sometimes, it might be 2 or 3 stores before she gets her special item, but she makes sure to make it count at the end of our shopping trips. I think rewards for good behaviour are a great way to encourage your kids to be respectful, listen and behave. It’s very rare that I will take Princess I Want I Want I Want to the store simply to pick up toys for her, it will usually be in conjunction with items Dad and I also need.
There are times however, when Princess I can’t Control Myself acts less then desirable and we wont go home with a new dress, a pack of gum, bubbles, side walk chalk or ice cream. I do believe children need to be held accountable for their actions and if they can’t keep their end of their bargain up, then there is no special treat this shopping trip.
It seems that her favourite summer choices for her good girl shopping trips are new summer dresses. Twirling in a summer dress is endless hours of cute fun in the sun.
**Disclosure: I am a Fisher-Price Mom and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.
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That was an excellent and very clever post! I agree with the accountability. I see so many parents just give and give to keep their children, in their opinion, “good”. Good job and keep it up! I laughed through this whole post with the Princess I……
Thanks! I like to give people a giggle while reading through posts. Glad you enjoyed
I rarely bring Little Boo shopping with me. But when I have no other choice and I do, he does get a little treat for good behaviour – if the behaviour is actually good. I love that your princess picks dresses!
When LB was maybe 2 we brought him to Ikea with us. He was having a tantrum and Hubs grabbed this big stuffed panda and gave it to him to keep him quiet (with the promise we’d buy it and bring it home. I just about lost it! “You know you just taught him that throwing a tantrum will be rewarded with a treat, right?” Aargh
We will frequently let her hold onto toys with the understanding it’s just for the shopping trip and we are not buying it. If she pulls a tantrum when we have to give it to the cashier, she will not be able to have a stuffie next time. And I totally get what you are saying…. cry and I’ll buy you something…. yikes!
Totally agree with you! But even with my angel child (really, he rarely gives me any troubles) I still try to avoid taking him with me as much as I can. I can do so much more when I’m along and don’t feel so much tired at the end.
I do get a lot more done when I’m alone, but I think it’s important for her to learn good behaviour in public because there are many times when we have no choice but to bring her… now I have to start doing this with church…..
My little guy will be 3 years old in September. Since he was 3 days old he has been shopping with me. The older he gets, the more challenging he gets. Now when we enter a “Winners” he immediately wants to go to the toy department. I don’t mind if he holds a toy, it’s the giving it back before we leave that he isn’t getting quite yet. At least I don’t give in to his mild tantrums. Also, he is becoming less tollerant of the stroller. He wants to walk in the mall with me now. Then I know I won’t be able to get much done. Oh well, I’ll just keep on trucking, LOL!
It might get a little worse before it gets better,,, but… if you never took him shopping you’d have a handful and a half when you did take him! Kids are very challenging, but also VERY VERY smart! They know how to manipulate us
I bring my kids with me shopping almost all the time.. It can be a challenge with my youngest.
Preferably if I can find somebody to babysit, I’d keep them at home.
It’s nice to get a good quiet shopping trip in isn’t it?
Great post, Lynette! I don’t even remember when I last went shopping on my own! We don’t have childcare for Little One unless we ask my parents (who always seem to be busy). I have to take Little One with me everywhere. She’s pretty good when we go shopping. From very early on, I taught her “We look with our eyes and not our hands” when we’re out and about. She doesn’t grab and touch everything when we’re shopping because of that.
Love your idea about letting your daughter help you pick things. Such a good idea!