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12 Tips - For Shopping With Children

by Jan Hunt

1. Make Shopping Enjoyable for Everyone

Plan short trips or take “fun” breaks while shopping. Bring along juice, a favorite snack, a well-loved picture book or favorite toy to help pass the time.

2. Avoid the Crowds

Shopping when stores are crowded can be very stressful. Try creative solutions such as shopping during lunch breaks or on weekday mornings.

3. Keep an Eye on Your Child

Avoid the frightening and dangerous experience of losing a child in the crowd by keeping them close at all times. Your children will feel more confident, too.

4. Set a Good Example.

Treat salespeople with kindness, respect and politeness, and your kids will likely follow suit. Remember that children "do as you do, not as you say," so it's important to teach children through your own actions.

5. Share Their Curiosity

All the things they see in stores easily fascinate children. Take a moment to share their enthusiasm by looking at and talking about “off-limits” items you don¹t intend to buy.

6. Include Toddlers in Shopping Decisions

Engage your toddler with questions such as “which of these peaches looks better to you?” and turn a boring experience into a pleasurable one.

7. Make Shopping a Game

Bring along clipped-out pictures of food from the newspaper grocery ads, and let your older child give you a hand locating items on the shelves.

8. The Check-Out Challenge

A healthful snack from home is an easy alternative to enticing candy displays: “That package looks pretty, but candy isn't very nutritious. Here's the oatmeal cookie and juice we brought.”

9. When You Need to Say “No”

Convey respect for your child's desires, even if you can't satisfy them immediately. It might help to say, “That's nice, isn't it? Take a good look and when we get home, we'll add it to your wish list.”

10. If Your Child Needs Special Attention

If your child is feeling shy or needs special attention, try to shop at less busy times. Weekdays are always better than weekends, and if you need to shop on weekends try to be at the store as early as possible.

11. When Your Patience Runs Thin

Take a short break. A few moments of fresh air away from crowds and distractions can make a big difference.

12. When Your Children Reach Their Limit,

Pay attention and respect your child's limits. Shopping can wait; an exhausted, hungry, or overly excited child cannot.

Remember that all children behave as well as they are treated. A child who is regularly given our time, undivided attention, patience, and understanding will have more tolerance for a shopping trip challenging situation without emotional support.

© Copyright Jan Hunt, Director, naturalchild.org. Originally published in The Natural Child: Parenting From the Heart, 2001. Reprinted and expanded by Child-Friendly Initiative with permission of the author.

**Cartoon Reprinted with special permission of King Features Syndicate.