Westfield Group
Shopping with kids
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3840
2009-11-21 08:37:24 UTCThe little things...
I always carry snacks, and a book to keep my eldest entertained for a long shopping trip. I encourage him to find things such as "can you see the Thomas book?", etc. -
3839
2009-11-13 06:12:56 UTCKnow what, know where!
Definitely make a list of what you need. Get to know your local Westfield if you have a chance to - without the kids - so that when you need to take them, you park close to where you need to go and you are not wandering around getting stressed, trying to find where you need to go! -
3834
2009-11-12 04:16:44 UTCChip off the old block
At our Westfield we have had a new fitchip store open up. I let my children get a small bucket of chips with the dipping sauce attached and this keeps them happy for the whole shoping trip - plus the chips are very healthy :) -
3832
2009-11-09 22:46:17 UTCCardboard Cutouts
Before I take little kids shopping I make a shopping list with them. To do this we cut pictures of things that we want from catalogues and stick them on a piece of cardboard. I allow each child to pick one item each. They know that if they want an item that is not on the list - they can't have it. -
3830
2009-10-30 04:05:38 UTCBig Deals
I have a 4 year old and have found that it works to make a big deal out of going shopping. If I pretend it's a special outing, then it gets treated that way. Before we go, we talk about what we're going to do and see, so by the time we get there he's full of anticipation and excited about helping me find what we need. -
3825
2009-10-15 04:26:55 UTCTeaching Treats
If you explain to your child when they are young that a gift is given on birthdays and christmas, and a treat is a reward for good behaviour it sets them up with a better understanding when you are out at the shops. I explain to my son that if a treat is more than $20 then it's too expensive and so forth. This teaches him the understanding of working hard for his pocket money and do I really need that expensive treat. Also you can't always get what you want. -
3820
2009-10-10 22:36:49 UTCMy 3 Tips
1: Make a list of what you need to get so you don't wander around too long. 2: Dont expect too much - most husbands dont like shopping with us either! 3: Let them have a small treat at the end if they've been good - and if they havent, don't! Your child is smart - If you give them a reward regardless of their behaviour; next time they will know you don't mean what you say and play up! -
3819
2009-10-10 08:34:30 UTCPasta Pointers
It's good to give kids a choice on what pasta to cook up - less arguments then. -
3813
2009-09-30 05:14:01 UTCMany tips I've read seem to relate to bargaining with the child to behave. The problem with that is the older the child gets, the bigger the bargaining tool has to become. Is there anything wrong with demanding your child behave whilst you conduct your business, without reward? I see the best and most respected parents in the shopping centre never try to be best friends with their little children, they try to be parents. -
3806
2009-09-18 20:35:02 UTCSecrets of a Scavenger
When I take my 2 year old daughter shopping, we play scavenger hunt. She loves stickers, so the first one of us who finds an item on my list gets a sticker. Of course it's always her. This way she has fun and I get my shopping done? I find that it works better to do our shopping early in the day before the stores get crowded. For any shopping with kids in tow, I keep an open schedule which allows time for a stop at the library or park, and I always carry snacks!
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