Grocery Shopping with Kids

Taking the Kids out in Public!

So today I have to go grocery shopping for the week, something I normally do not do. But I know that if I do it, than I will save money! See, Chris works at a retail store, and it is so EASY to just ask him to pick up a few things from work! And although I love him, he is not the best at finding deals, figuring out cost per ounce, things like that. And I don't BLAME him, he just wants to get out of work already!

So, I'm going to stop buy and pick some stuff up. With my 3 kids, all under the age of 4. Insane right?!? HAHA..I LOVE to take on a challenge! Well, kidding aside, I used to be horrified at the thought of taking all three of them out all by myself, I used to beg family to come with me to help. Well, now during the day they are all at work or school, and I am left all alone...(trying to get pity points here, lol). And I wouldn't get anything done if I only went with another adult, so I have to suck it up like many moms and dads do, and just go! So I have learned what to do with them to be sure they are on their best behavior, and it seems for the most part to work!
So here's what I do:

1. I prepare them for where we are going. Before we go inside, but not too much before, because I don't want to hear it if there is a change of plans and we can't fit the store in our day. So I tell them usually in the van, and at their eye level. This is what I say, "Girls, we are going inside the store, you will be great listeners right? You will stay with mommy, not run off, and be my helpers right?". And they will agree.

2. When we get inside, I try to have them involved in what I am doing, I will ask them to find a certain food, or ask them about all the produce, or have them put items in the cart for me. They absolutely LOVE it!

3. We sing songs or make rhymes, we are a singin' family! Haha, I'm not talking about screaming opera in isle 7, just some nice quiet songs to ourselves.

4. If all else fails, I give them a healthy snacks, like carrot stick, crackers or apples I packed from home. This always calms my kids! (They are eating machines!)

So that's it! That's how I get my kids to not act like hooligan animals! How do you get your kids to act civilized? I would love to know! Comment below!