Going to the Grocery Store (and not pulling your hair out)

Maybe your kids are not like mine. Maybe your kids are "normal" but mine see the grocery store as a glamorous destination. "Can we go to the store today mom?" I don't see it in this light. I prefer to go without them, and quite frankly I think that's the better way to go if that's an option available to you. But sometimes it has to be done during the day, it's unavoidable, and besides, the kids WANT to go. And you do want to get out of the house.

So how can a mother of young children stay sane at the grocery store?

First of all, if at ALL possible go to Fred Meyer or someplace else with a playland. I like Freddy's because they have other stuff besides food, and I get some mini "me time" where I can look at pillows and ferns and float away to window shoppers paradise. You have got to go at a time though when the playland isn't too busy (lunch time is NUTS). If you can get there right before it opens, that is ideal, you might have to wait 5 minutes, but your kids will get in. If they are full when you get there, find out when they expect to be open again and come back and check. Half a grocery shop without kids is better than nothing.

But we can't all have playland, can we?

I recommend then going to a store with some kind of cart that is either a) a car or b) designed to hold multiple children. If they don't have them, then don't bother (unless your kids are older and well behaved). With multiple small children, it is such a struggle at the store that you simply must have room for all of them to sit. If your local supermarket doesn't have "car carts" you might even want to suggest to the manager of the less than kid friendly store that they get some and explain that you would be more likely to shop there if they do. It might not change anything, but you never know unless you ask, right?

Okay, so you've got the kids, you are at the store and they are in their special cart. What now? If you are at Target (I so highly recommend the land of red), you get the popcorn soda special for, I think it's $2 now. For me (with three kids) it costs me $6 and the dental bills, but for 30 minutes of peaceful shopping totally worth it. If you aren't at Target, bring snacks. Bring snacks anyway. Maybe even something special that they don't normally get. Being around all that food is going to make them hungry, so it's best to be prepared.

And when the snacks are expired, get the free cookie from the bakery.

Some other ideas for making the grocery store more tolerable are these:

*Give each child an allowance. 1 or 2 dollars that they can spend on anything they like. They might pick something and then change their mind, but at least they won't be constantly bugging you about things they want. You can just say, "you can use your money? Do you have enough?" Easy Peasy.

*For children with a grasp of numbers, you can play the ten for ten game. (This is best for when they have decided they are all done with being in the cart). You tell them to look for labels that say ten for ten, or any number you decide. If they need the challenge have them seek out all the products that cost $2.59 or whatever. Just make sure they know that just because it only costs a dollar it doesn't mean you are going to buy it.

*Scavenger Hunt-- on the aisle you are on ask them if they can find the yogurt or the cheese or whatever you need. Talk about the colors the flavors and let them help you choose what goes in the cart.

*If you are really well prepared you could make a visual grocery list with pictures of things you are going to buy. I would even go so far as to laminate a couple using things you frequently shop for, and give the kids a marker they can scribble them off with when they get added to the cart. A variation of this would be a bingo game. So FUN! Can I play?

Well those are my limited ideas. Anything you want to add? Here's to a sanity filled shopping trip!

Weekend Picks: Freebies for the Family

Here are a couple of events that I plucked off the internet this weekend where admission is free.

If I wasn't flooded in (and previously committed) I would definitely be headed out to the Winter Trails day this Saturday the 10th of January. The mountaineers take you out (for free) on mini- snow shoeing adventures. Sound fun? More info here.

The Kids Quest Museum in Factoria Mall has a free night tomorrow from 5-8. (This is every Friday). I have been, and it is crazy but fun!

The Seattle Center is having its Winter Solstice Fire Festival this Saturday the 10th and Sunday the 11th. From 4pm until 9 pm each night enjoy fire, performances and sculptures in an outdoor show. www.seattlecenter.com

Lakeshore learning has craft time for preschoolers this and every Saturday from 11 am - 3 pm in Bellevue. Looks like they are making a sparkly mask this week. 11027 N.E. 4th St.
Bellevue, WA 98004. www.lakeshorelearning.com

Have fun!

First Post: Braving the Mall

I truly believe in the home. I think home is where you and your family can be yourselves, where you feel loved and safe. I am quite frankly, home a lot. With three tiny tots getting out can be kind of hassle-- carseats, crazy kids, crabby mommy-- all of that. Of course staying at home TOO much can cause other problems. The stir crazies being a main issue.

There are many sites out there full of crafty and fun things you can do with your kids at home. I think those sites are great, useful and fun. By all means enjoy them. This blog however, is not that kind of site. This blog is about NOT staying at home. This blog is about putting on your makeup and taking the kids somewhere fun for them, and not spending a ton of money doing it.

So with that introduction my first post: taking your kids to the mall.

Now the point of the mall excursion with kids is not to do your shopping. It will be a failed excursion if you try to get anything done for yourself and everyone will end up crying (including mom). The point of the mall trip is to take your kids to a free and indoor play place. If you are like me, this ends up not usually being free because I spend money on food or I buy the cutest shirt on sale I've ever seen at the mall in the hour I was there today. But! You can do it with a little planning and self discipline. Here are the rules, ready to play?

Rule 1: No shopping. That's not why you came. You are allowed to visit one store on your way out. Do not buy anything unless it is in your mall outing budget or if it was something you've been meaning to buy and can ONLY get at the mall.

Rule 2: Eat before you go and pack snacks. I personally hate packing snacks, and trying to eat before I leave but it is critical if your mall trip is to be inexpensive and happy. Pack lunch if there is even the slightest possibililty of being there at lunch time. Know that this rule is made much easier by following our next rule:

Rule 3: PLAN. Know the day and time you are going to be leaving for the mall. You cannot go on a whim and expect it to not cost you (monetarily or otherwise.) It is not good enough to say 'later this week" or even "Thursday" you need to have on your calendar-- Thursday, the mall, leave at 10:30. Have snacks packed by 10 (or the night before) Meet a friend there, if it will help you to stick with the schedule.

Rule 4: Bring cash, but NO CREDIT CARDS. Now some of you ladies might feel a little unsafe without one (what if my car breaks down?) so you may, if it makes you feel better, bring your debit card. You are not allowed to use it, though so think about your level of self control. For some of you, you might feel like you are going to need to spend a little something. Maybe you are going to run out of snacks, or like me, you have an Auntie Ann's pretzel addiction. Fine. Just bring a small amount of cash per person in your group. Whatever you think a "free" outing should cost you. I recommend two or three dollars per person. So for me, going out with my three kids, I might bring $12. You might just bring enough for everyone to get a gumball. It is totally up to you, but you need to have a budget that is easy to stick with. Remember: Cash Only.

Rule 5: Avoid the busy times and go when your kids aren't tired. It's never fun to go when there aren't ANY other children there, but too many people can be just as lame. If you are taking small children (and I would assume you were if you are going to the play place) go during the day before school is out. Don't go at Christmastime and avoid the weekends if possible. Know that there are certain hours when the mall is jam packed, and other times not. And sometimes it cannot be predicted. Try a few different times to see what works. I will personally never go on a Friday afternoon again. I recommend if you go and you find that it's busy, ask around. Ask other mom's or mall employees to see if that is the norm for that time and day of week.

Rule 6: Head straight for the play place and stay there until you are ready to go home. Everyone will be much happier if they get in a good play before attempting anything else. Your kids and you will be well fed, and you will be armed with snacks so hunger shouldn't be an issue. Plus you can bribe your kids to leave with whatever treat you may have planned into your budget. On your way out, visit your one store and hopefully leave with some happy kids and a happy mom.

Have fun! Let me know how your mall outings go!