Ahh….the dreaded grocery shopping with a toddler. You might even avoid it completely. Is grocery pick-up the normal routine for your family?
Let’s shift the mindset:
Your toddler is new at the whole grocery shopping thing. They are unaware that they can’t buy everything that catches their attention. They also don’t know that they can’t eat everything before you pay for it. Let them know what to expect step by step. This will set them up for success and decrease unwanted behavior.
Empower your toddler with attainable tasks that they can complete before, during and after you shop. They will be more willing to cooperate if they are involved in the experience. Not to mention, completing the tasks helps your toddler build confidence and a sense of independence.
PRO TIP: Never shop when you or your child are hungry!
***Allow for extra time in your day to shop. The process takes a little longer with a toddler.
Here are seven tips to make the grocery shopping experience more enjoyable for you and your little one:
- Include them in the grocery list process. Ask them if you have any bread left in the pantry. Make them feel important. This might look like replying, “Thank you so much for looking. We will have to add that to our grocery list, won’t we?”. If they are uninterested, ask them to draw what they want to get at the store or let them pack a backpack with snacks/toys that they want to bring.
- On the way to the store, explain to them that you will find a cart and that they get to sit in the cart while you shop. Also, let them know that they will see a lot of different foods that they want but you are there to get what is on the list. You might have to remind them of this while in the store.
- The produce section is full of opportunities. Let them pull bags from the bag roll. Ask them which apple, etc. looks better and let them put it in the bag. Tell them about the water sprayers that keep the veggies fresh. Talk to them about where the produce grows(tree, bush, in the ground) and how it gets to the grocery store.
- If meat is on the list, make the experience special by buying some of your meat at the deli counter. They can watch the meat get weighed and packaged.
- Ask them what they see and create a conversation to keep them engaged while you are going down the aisles.
- Checking out: Explain to them that you have to wait your turn before you can buy the groceries and that sometimes it is hard to wait but you will have your turn soon. Let them place lighter weight items on the belt. If you are paying with card, let them hand the cashier the card or put the card in the reader and pull it out when it’s time to.
- Let them take lighter bags into the house when you get home.
Congrats! You made it through the grocery store with a toddler! Involving them in the process makes them feel valued and a part of the team.