How to enjoy it with the kids 
Aug 28, 2008
IF you have ever gone shopping with children, you will agree that the outings normally end up in disagreements and fights.<br>
By Agnes Kyotalengerire
IF you have ever gone shopping with children, you will agree that the outings normally end up in disagreements and fights.
Although shopping with children can be an exciting experience, most parents admit it ends up cumbersome because of their playful, destructive nature and a craving for whatever they lay their eyes on.
Recently, I walked through supermarkets, shopping malls and open-air markets to see how parents and guardians cope with shopping with children.
Here are some tips on what you should watch out for when you go shopping with your little ones:
Carry extra money to pay for the damages, junk food and toys that children will insist on having. In one of the supermarkets, a parent got into trouble because her three-year-old son broke an expensive toy car. She had no option but to pay for the toy.
In another supermarket, another parent was shocked by his exorbitant bill only to realise it had been inflated by the toys that the children put in the trolley while he concentrated on reading labels on the items.
Although it is convenient and fashionable to put babies on the top shelf of the shopping trolley, do not leave them unattended to because the trolley could roll and throw them .
Do not let the children push or run around the supermarket with trolleys. If they lost control, the trolley could hit other shoppers or shelves and cause damage. Besides, the child could slide and fall in the effort to retrieve the trolley.
Just like adults, children get captivated by the displays of fruits, juices, snacks and toys. They tend to hold on to and cry for the items.
If you fail to sweet talk the child into returning the item, do not shout at him or her; your harsh voice might frighten or annoy him into dropping the item on the floor. Remembering this rule will save you the trouble of paying for the damages.
Attending to children and carrying shopping bags full of items can be cumbersome. In this case, it is better to have someone to accompany you.
It is advisable to shop in the morning, before it gets hot and the malls get crowded. Besides, in the morning, the children are still fresh and less likely to fuss and cry.
If you have babies and toddlers, remember to carry extra diapers and clothes with you to avoid the mess of wet and dirty clothes.
Before you go shopping, involve the children in making the budget. Give priority to essential items and explain that although it is important to buy the items they want, they are not urgent.
This will help to downplay their expectations, teach them budgeting skills and save money and the hassle of negotiations on what to buy and what to leave out.
IF you have ever gone shopping with children, you will agree that the outings normally end up in disagreements and fights.
Although shopping with children can be an exciting experience, most parents admit it ends up cumbersome because of their playful, destructive nature and a craving for whatever they lay their eyes on.
Recently, I walked through supermarkets, shopping malls and open-air markets to see how parents and guardians cope with shopping with children.
Here are some tips on what you should watch out for when you go shopping with your little ones:
Carry extra money to pay for the damages, junk food and toys that children will insist on having. In one of the supermarkets, a parent got into trouble because her three-year-old son broke an expensive toy car. She had no option but to pay for the toy.
In another supermarket, another parent was shocked by his exorbitant bill only to realise it had been inflated by the toys that the children put in the trolley while he concentrated on reading labels on the items.
Although it is convenient and fashionable to put babies on the top shelf of the shopping trolley, do not leave them unattended to because the trolley could roll and throw them .
Do not let the children push or run around the supermarket with trolleys. If they lost control, the trolley could hit other shoppers or shelves and cause damage. Besides, the child could slide and fall in the effort to retrieve the trolley.
Just like adults, children get captivated by the displays of fruits, juices, snacks and toys. They tend to hold on to and cry for the items.
If you fail to sweet talk the child into returning the item, do not shout at him or her; your harsh voice might frighten or annoy him into dropping the item on the floor. Remembering this rule will save you the trouble of paying for the damages.
Attending to children and carrying shopping bags full of items can be cumbersome. In this case, it is better to have someone to accompany you.
It is advisable to shop in the morning, before it gets hot and the malls get crowded. Besides, in the morning, the children are still fresh and less likely to fuss and cry.
If you have babies and toddlers, remember to carry extra diapers and clothes with you to avoid the mess of wet and dirty clothes.
Before you go shopping, involve the children in making the budget. Give priority to essential items and explain that although it is important to buy the items they want, they are not urgent.
This will help to downplay their expectations, teach them budgeting skills and save money and the hassle of negotiations on what to buy and what to leave out.