I would say “Shopping With Children,” but “CVSing With Children” is just an entirely different level of shopping.
When shopping, the cart doesn’t really stop moving. You grab the items on your list, trying to set a world record for Shortest Grocery Trip Ever.
When CVSing, you meander up and down the aisles, calculator in one hand, coupon binder in the other, trying to set a world record for Most Shampoos Earned For Free.
The latter takes considerable more time and concentration. And I do it with two children two and under. And this week, I was asked for tips on how to make this possible.
Here’s what works for me:
- When the babies are very young, bring a sling or baby carrier. They will sleep through your entire shopping trip.
- When they are old enough to sit in the cart, invest in a cart cover for these reasons:
- It has convenient loops to hold toys. No more Picking Up Dropped Toys game.
- It provides a barrier between your baby and those shopping cart germs. If your baby wants to chew on the bar, let him – he’s safe. You just concentrate on your deals.
- It catches crumbs and [most] dropped snacks. Which brings me to the next point…
- Snacks! Lots of snacks! It is not uncommon for us to go through 1/3 a box of graham crackers or 1/2 a box of animal crackers in one shopping trip. This keeps toddlers and babies alike very, very happy. Especially when the toddler can feed snacks to the baby. But make sure you bring water! We go through a full quart on these trips.
- Keep Tic Tacs in the diaper bag for checking out near those dangerous candy aisles. When the toddlers start making suggestions, say with surprise/glee, “Look what I found in the diaper bag!! We already HAVE candy! Would you like one?”
- Keep them busy/involved in what you’re doing. Examples:
- If your toddler is walking beside you, have her collect the item you point to from the shelf. She can toss it in the cart. My girl LOVES this.
- Bring an extra calculator (I have yet to buy a second, but I really need to!) for the toddler to use. My girl loves playing with mine in the store.
- Talk to your children as you shop. “This is toothpaste. We use this to clean our mouths!” “Do you like this color lipstick? Oh, you like that one? That’s pretty, too.” “Hmmm… where is the chapstick? Have you seen the chapstick?”
- When I have extra ECBs to burn, I let Olivia pick something out. Sometimes it’s a puzzle. Last time, I let her choose a color of nail polish. (She chose hot pink. After I shook my head at blue. Okay, so maybe not completely free reign here…)
- Every now and then, just stop and play. My girl loves the sunglasses display. We have to stop and try on a few pairs once every shopping trip. “No” goes over much more easily if there are some “yes’s” in the mix, too.
- Praise them when they are helpful and behaving. My toddler responds so much better to praise than criticism. Not that she doesn’t need a correction or two every now and then…
- Speaking of criticisms, what do you do when your toddler acts up in the store? Surprisingly, I have never left a store due to a temper tantrum. I only go out once a week. It’s too much work to have to go out again because we had to cut a trip short due to noncooperation.
- First of all, make sure all needs are met! Don’t go shopping while a toddler is tired or hungry. Don’t let them get bored. Prevention is the key with more than forest fires.
- Always have a backup plan. A toddler meltdown can be averted if a mommy keeps a cool head. Don’t worry about discipline if all she really needs right now is distraction. If she simply won’t be distracted, then you need some privacy to deal with this. Which brings us to…
- Make a mental note of all bathrooms. And don’t be afraid to use them. Once your child learns that the same mommy she knew at home is also there with her in the store, she will start behaving like she does at home (which I hope is a respectful, obedient manner.)
I know most minds are going down that “spanking road” right now, but I just want to make sure you know the Bathroom Option is also good for the TLC a neglected toddler sometimes needs on a long shopping trip. Sometimes Olivia just needs to cry and be hugged after she overreacts to something small like, “No, sweetheart, we can’t get that toothpaste, it’s not on sale.”
And, by the way, I take that cart in the bathroom with me. I know the sign says “No Unpurchased Merchandise” but I have a baby whom I prefer NOT be crawling on the bathroom floor.
Besides, the workers there know I get everything for free anyway… why would I bother to steal anything?
And I think that’s about it. Make sure they are rested, fed, watered, entertained, involved, and expected to behave, and loved.
Did I miss anything?
great tips – my toddler was floor surfing on the ad during our CVS trip today. It’s not as bratty as it sounds, lol, and it kept him happy while I picked out the perfect shade of free lip gloss. 🙂
I don’t have a CVS in my town (don’t even know what it is, truly), but I’ve developed a series of rules for shopping trips that has worked well.
my 3 and 5 y-o are both well-trained so my
Dude! Didn’t realize you have a character limit! You missed my novel ;o)
Thank you for these great tips! I have a 10 month old that behaves well, but I envision the coming year and wonder if her restlessness will prohibit me from getting the best deals I can while at CVS. I’m definitely a slow shopper while I’m there and will put to use your great ideas. I especially love the tic-tac suggestion, I’ll have to stow that one away!!!
Great article! I love #3–I get so caught up in price comparisons that I sometimes forget my kiddos are there dangling out of the cart! Talking to them as I go will help keep me focused.
Those are all really great ideas. I never go shopping with the kiddos by myself (hubby does the shopping), but I am sure I will at some point and I’ll be sure and use some of your ideas.
Hee hee! Okay, I’ll try again.
Three main rules:
1. Running in empty aisles is encouraged (we tend to shop in less-populous times, and being able to run makes shopping a delight), but they may not cross an “intercection” without me.
2. Stay where you can see Mama (usually resulting in my being able to see them)
3. Obey at once if Mother says to stand or come.
Any infraction of these results in being buckled in the cart seat for their time-out (which is made more torturous by running-around sibs).
My 3 and 5 y-o are both well-trained so my
(Cont: Realized your comment form doesn’t like the less-than sign)
My less-than 2-y-o gets to learn from his sisters the much-less tangible parts of rules.
Any infraction of these results in being buckled in the cart seat for their time-out (which is made more torturous by running-around sibs).
When all else fails (though I’ve not yet had to invoke this cure-all) there’s the men’s underwear aisle: It’s the quietest corner in the store (especially the time of day we shop) and a great place to re-center or fix an attitude if one’s not interested in the bathroom for that.
Of course, not all stores are equipped this way.
Great list. I love the having unlimited snacks and your own candy for the candy aisle.
Another thing thing that’s useful is that I’ll say, “Not today,” or “Not this time,” instead of “No” or even “later” (which implies a promise).
My oldest has always been submissive (in this area) and her two younger sibs have picked it up from her. *Very* pleasant, and a nice way to see how early consistency can pay off greater (and sooner) than you think.
Okay, I’ll quit now. ;o)
Very thorough!
Speaking of frugality…Barbara Curtis just put up an amazing sale deal on her website. Buy three books (at $10 each) and get one free, with flat-rate shipping of $3 no matter how many books you get. I know you were eyeing some of her books, and now would be the best deal to get them. I plan on ordering a whole bunch for upcoming baby showers.
Excellent tips! Although I still prefer to go at night when my husband can stay with the kids! Four is a bit more difficult to manage in narrow aisles!
Love the Tic Tac tip! I’m going to try this tomorrow on our CVS run.
great tips, as usual. I hadn’t thought of tic-tacs, but it’s a great way to give “candy,” which we normally avoid.
I am not familiar with CVS – perhaps I can scan through your posts and figure out why you get things for free there?
I carry my 6 month old in a sling with my coupons and notebook in the cart. My girl and I talk and look together. Last week, I took so long, I ran into a nursing time. She got fussy. I went back to the pharmacy waiting area. They had a back massager set up in one of the seats. I got a massage while she nursed. Then I got all my free stuff!
These are great tips! I have only once or twice ventured to CVS with both my small boys. I decided that for my sanities sake it’s much better to have someone go with me, but with some of these tips, I might actually try it again!