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!