Who else hates going grocery shopping?

Question

I totally dread it every time. Especially when i have to have my toddler and preschooler with me! They get so bored! Any ideas on how to make it easier on us?

Answer 1

If I'm by myself, I LOVE it!! It's some alone time for me that I don't get that often, even if it is just grocery shopping. When I have the kids with me, I have them help. They can get a box of cereal off the shelf, they can help "push" the cart, and they can help "decide" what to make for dinner for the next week. My kids are older, so I really do make them do those things. All I have to do is walk down the aisle and mark off my list. LOL

Answer 2

YES! I HATE SHOPPING TOO, SO BUY ONLY WHAT YOU NEED!

I keep a list on my computer and print it once a week. It has everything listed that you could possibly want, and if it doesn't I add it. I put it on the refrig and highlight or circle what I need. Then when I go to the store, it's a quick run in and out to buy only the necessities.

ALSO I've learned not to shop once every 3 weeks, but about twice a week. I go in, and only buy the basics that are missing. For example, maybe toilet paper, the prescription to pick up, the salsa, mushrooms, cheese, onion, and beef to make the meal that night for dinner. Then THAT'S IT!

Do this when are on your way from work, going to the bank, going to McDonald's.... whatever.

IT's FAST, EASY, AND YOU HIT SALES THIS WAY - for example, hmmm, thought I'd cook beef BUT pork is on sale today, guess we are having pork chops and salad.

ALL your food is fresh, it doesn't go bad, and it's spontaneous, lead by the moment and your mood and neither YOU OR THE KIDS get bored.

Answer 3

I dread grocery shopping with my two also. Here is what makes it easiest on me:
1. Kids behave best when not tired or hungry.
2. 4 year old helps put things in cart to keep him occupied. I point to or describe what we need and let him pick it out or I pick it out and give it to him to put in the cart.
3. Let him have samples of food if available in store.

Good luck. I know just how awful it can be. This past weekend I had a hungry 4 year old who ran screaming out of the grocery store :O

Answer 4

I like grocery shopping if the kids behave, and I LOVE it when my husband watches them so I can go alone, take my time, look for new and different things to buy. I've found that to go right after breakfast or supper works well. They're full, not thirsty, and generally in a good mood. Don't take them during nap time because they'll be cranky and whiney. Don't interrupt them from something (a favorite movie, playing with toys, etc.) to go either, then they'll just be plain angry.

Answer 5

Make sure they are well fed and rested before you go.

Give them a job to do. Put one in charge of "remembering Daddy's coffee" and the other in charge of "remembering we need bread" or something like that. Put the older one in charge of holding the list or the coupons. Give the toddler a little notebook or paper with something to write with so s/he can pretend to do what everyone else is doing.

Talk about what you see around you. Colors, shapes, sizes. Play "I spy" with them. "I see something red, can you find it?" Point out letters on signs and sound out words for them. "That sign says M-I-L-K. What do you think we're buying? M-I-L-K spells milk!"

Have them help pick out things and put them into the cart. Let them pick out some cookies or chips or the fruit for the week. When you're getting cans of soup, let them count the cans as you put them in the cart.

Bring along some suckers in your purse to keep them busy.

Stop to look at the lobsters in the seafood area or visit the pets if they have a pet area in your store

Have them help put things on the conveyer belt to pay.

Promise a ride on the pony when you're done if they have one.

Stop by the bakery......sometimes they give kids free cookies or samples! Go on Fridays if crowds don't bother you too much. They often pass out samples all over the store.

If your kids ask for stuff, keep a little notebook in your purse and tell them "I'll put that on your wish list" and then do it. It validates that it's important to them and you don't have to fuss with them about how you're not buying it right now.

Answer 6

The new mega stores Safeway and others build really bother me. They are ridiculous. I f you go to the frozen section first your stuff will be melted by the time you find the next item. I remember the Food Lion chain in Colorado had just slightly smaller stores than these new mega stores (many chains other than Safeway are building these now but they are big where I live) but were lit much better and far better organized.

Answer 7

when my son was younger i loved it, i just played with him in his little car seat as i walked down isle and everyone would come up wanting to see the baby it was great i loved shopping; BUT now that he is almost 2 he wants everything he sees, has to try to crawl out of the basket every 3 mins he is now learning how 2 unbuckle the seat belt, it has become a rush to get in and out, i dread when he gets too old to fit in the little seat the have and i have to let him walk.

But i think i have found my solution, i recently took him to the toy store and let him get a toy that he just loves makes noise has flashy lights makes him go crazy, let him have it for 10 mins after we got out of the store then took it from him and told him that it is only for when we go shopping! so now for the past month or so it has worked he stays occupied and its great im just waiting for the time when he gets tired of it and we have to get a new one than after that I'll start rotating between the 2 :)

try this and see if it works for you, it has for me.

Answer 8

Do it on the web and get them to deliver. Used to laugh at a neighbour who did this then, like yourself not much fun with 2 little 'uns in tow, tried it and it's absolutely a life saver. Give it a go.

Answer 9

I would say try to research a time when they aren't so busy. That's probably not much help because of the kiddos but that's all I can come up with.

I don't hate it. It's kind of relaxing. But then again I don't have kids.

Answer 10

Some stores let you shop online now, or you could give a list to a neighborhood kid and have him do it for you for a couple of bucks. Or he might do it for free if you're a MILF?