How to improve your childs behavior at the store

I have been working in retail for quite a few years now and I have seen the big mistakes that parents make when taking their kids to the store.  So here is a "How to" list to make your life easier.

1. Kids hate shopping. They would much rather be playing outside, playing a video game, being with a friend, or what ever.
2. Don't buy them things every time you are at the store, they will soon expect it. Keep the gifts to birthdays and Holidays, you will have much more grateful children.
3. Do not spend a long time in the store. Children get restless. There attention span is so small. If you are going in with children, go with a list, go into a familiar store where you know the locations of everything.
4. Leave the "browsing" to your "me time" or a ladies day out.
5. Tell your kids the plan before you leave, for example MOM: "Kids we are going to the store for 20 min, I need to buy these things and nothing else, do not ask me for anything or ______ will happen.
6. Be CONSISTENT, if you say you are going to do something than do it! Kids are smarter than you think and they notice when you don't keep your word.
7. Do NOT tolerate bad behavior. "Get down to their level, express in a firm tone of voice, 'your behavior is not acceptable' and give them a clear consequence. And stick to your guns!" (tip compliments of Nanny 911)
8. DO NOT take them shopping late at night. Children should go to bed early. I am appalled when I am working till 11pm at night and Moms are in the store with their kids, getting upset at their children too! What do you expect? Its past their bed time! How do you act when you are up past your bed time?
9. Bring snacks, do not take from the shelf and feed before paying. This serves two purposes... One, kids are hungry all the time because they are growing at an incredibly fast rate. Keeping them fed and hydrated in important, and they will be less grouchy. The other purpose, if you are taking food from the shelf to feed your child before you pay for it, then you are teaching them that it is OK to use something before you buy it. Remember, be a good example to your kids and be honest.
10. Don't expect perfection. Kids get better at things as parents continue to teach and show children consequences to their actions. Go with the flow and let them do stupid things now and again. Just as long as you teach them about their actions. 
11. Allow your kids to participate, the older ones can help you find what is on your list. Sometimes grocery stores have kiddie grocery carts, kids love those!

Following the list above will take some work. My warning, do not wait until you get to the store to try all of this out. Apply this guide to your home life and I guarantee you will see an improvement. This most valuable thing you can do for your children is to BE CONSISTENT!!


Say what you mean and mean what you say!