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During the summer I have two shopping buddies that are always with me whenever I have to run errands at the mall or go grocery shopping.  Taking the boys shopping by myself can be challenging, but avoiding in-store meltdowns is possible. Below I am sharing a few tips to ensure shopping trips are pleasurable for all.

Avoiding Meltdowns when Shopping with Kids

Avoiding Meltdowns when Shopping with Kids

Plan ahead: Impromptu shopping trips don’t go so well for us. Picking the right time of day, when the kids are not hungry or tired is always important. I try to stick to shopping early in the morning when the stores are not very busy and the kids are not tired or cranky. They also are still full from eating breakfast so they are less likely to be hungry and asking for snacks while we shop.

Go to one store at a time: I try to limit shopping time and tackle one store per trip. Things don’t go too well when we spend the entire day shopping. I schedule different shopping trips during the week so shopping is not the main focus of a day. Doing something fun after shopping always keeps the guys happy and excited thinking ahead.

Avoiding Meltdowns when Shopping with Kids

Make the kids part of the shopping experience: If your children are older, get them to help you writing the shopping list, carrying the list while at the store and crossing out purchased items. They can even help picking the produce for you. Helping will make them feel useful and there is less chance of them getting bored.

Chat about expectations before you go:  Talk to your children before you head to the store, explain what you are going to do and talk to them about expectations and what you will be purchasing or not. Doing this always helps avoid melt-downs when walking by the toy/book aisles.

Use Interac Flash® to pay: Children can get impatient while waiting in line at the cashier. By that point they are often tired and getting out of the store in a flash is often on my mind. I can’t tell you how many times I have forgotten my PIN number when paying and having the kids yelling or fighting while I deal with it all can be chaotic. So whenever possible I pay using Interac Flash because it is fast, easy and secure. I love that I don’t need to remember PIN numbers or fumble around looking for cash in my purse, so convenient!

If you are not using Interac Flash already then be sure to visit interac.ca/flash for more information.

Avoiding Meltdowns when Shopping with Kids

How do you avoid melt-downs when shopping with your children? Share your own tips below!

Disclosure: This is a partnered post with Interac Association/Acxsys Corporation. However, all opinions and views on this post are 100% my own. Interac and Interac Flash are registered trade-marks of Interac Inc. Used under license. The Contactless Indicator mark, consisting of four graduating arcs, is a trademark owned by and used with permission of EMVCo, LLC.