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Tips for Shopping With Your Child

      
         Child Protective Services Hotline

         703-324-7400 • TTY 703-222-9452

Anyone who has shopped at a grocery store or a mall with children – especially young children – knows that the experience can sometimes be trying, even highly stressful.

Here are some steps that can change potential misery into potential mastery of shopping with kids.

Plan Ahead:

Check attitudes – Is your child too tired or hungry to shop? Are you? If yes, postpone your trip or find a sitter for you child(ren).
Explain the Rules – Before entering the store make your expectations clear, such as “Stay close to me” and “Use your quiet voice.”
Agree on Rewards for Good Behavior – Keep it simple, such as a choice of a favorite snack food, or a stop at the park. Promise to read a story or play a game at home.

At the Store:

Make a Game Out of Shopping – Who can see the bananas? Who can find the shoe store first? Who can see a person wearing red? Which store begins with the letter “t”?
Give Children Some Choices – When possible, allow your child(ren) to make some decisions. Blue or red socks? Chocolate or vanilla ice cream? Be prepared to bargain or compromise.
Play – “I see something.” Then ask you child(ren) what it is.
Praise Your Child – “You are being so helpful.” A hug can be reassuring and say more than words at times.

If All Else Fails:

Remember: Kids will be kids – they are not perfect. Of course, neither are we, but we are the adults.

Ignore inappropriate behavior unless it becomes dangerous, destructive, annoying to others, or truly embarrassing.
Remove a child who is out of control. Take him to the restroom or out of the store. Tell the child quietly, eye-to-eye, that bad behavior is absolutely unacceptable.
Wait (say nothing at all) for the child to calm down, then ask if he is ready to try again.
Remember kids will be kids – they are not perfect. Of course, neither are we, but we are the adults.
Go home if the child cannot calm down. If the shopping cannot wait, find a sitter and return alone.