Help at the Grocery Store!

What works with my two kids is giving them a list. A picture list for my 2 year old and a writen list for my 6 year old. They walk next to the cart and watch for things on their list and we talk about why we are choosing one over the other e.g. apples

1 mom found this helpful

T.-
You need to get tough and just walk leave the store in the middle of what you are doing. It can really suck at first and may take a couple of times, but it does work. My kids also love the shopping carts that are cars. They have to learn they need to stay in the cart. If you have your husband with you he needs to take her to sit in the car when she behaves like that. It is totally normal behavior for that age, but you just have to set limits for her and teach her you will not put up with it. You have to get creative and think of things that you can take away from her like a favorite doll put in the closet for the day.
Brekka

Yes to what everyone else said.
But something that my mom did with me was give me a box of cereal to carry around the store. My hands where full so I couldn't grab anything else and I had something to do. I have also done this with my kids and it works pretty good. Giving them something to do gets them involved. You can't do that to younge. Also I must repeat dont take your child durning nap and meal time. It's no fun for anyone. Also when you go over the rules before hand then on the way out you could let her ride the toys if she was good. You don't even need to put money in them for them to have fun. Have fun and don't stress the little stuff.

From the moment my kids could walk I let them, I only put them in the cart when they couldn't walk, It takes a little patience and persistance but they are expected to stay by me, I just keeping getting them and putting thier hand on the cart to hold onto make sure you aren't in a hurry and plan it out carefully so you aren't doing a lot of back and forth in the store they like the little bit of independence, once they had it pretty much figured out to stay by me then they could "help" Me shop I would point to what I need and let them get it, sometimes they would help to much and I would just put the stuff back and explian why we don't need it.
Like the other mothers said before you go in the store explain what you expect of your daughter and that the consequences of not behaving is leaving, that is the hardest part but it doesn't usually take to many tries before they get the hang of it.

Have you tried the driving carts. I know they can be a germ fest, but if you use the wipes (we use half the contain wiping th whole thing down) then she gets to do something. 2 is all about them deciding what they want to do and when (or when to be confined. I have actually see the staff at the 35th HyVee personally cleaning those.

also, my son loves those little shopper ini training carts and he does pretty good at staying with me, not running. Also, if I prep him for what's going to happen in the store BEFROE we go in, he's much better. Maybe when you getting ready to go, you talk about where she's going to sit, and what's expected, she'll feel like she knows what to do.

However, nothing works better than stopping and leaving the store. yes, you may have to leave a half full basket in the aisle, but as soo as she says "NO" or is bad in the cart, leave. Go to the car and explain that that is bad manners (whatever) and that you'll just back without her. There isn't really anything we purchase that we couldn't wait another 12 hours for. Then go back W/O her so she understands. Then the next time, remind her of how you had to leave because of her behavior and that you'll leave again if she repeats it. We only had to do that 2x, and have never experienced anything than idle chatter.

Also, be sure not to go when she's tired or hungry. the stores with all their colorful labels, bright lights, & noise can be overstimulating.