Behavior at the Grocery Store

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Shopping with children under six can be challenging. To make it a pleasant experience for parents and children, follow these simple tips.

1. Make your trip short. 45 minutes maximum unless your child is really interested and behaving well.

2. Before you leave the house tell your child where you are going and what behavior you expect from him or her. Try not to be too wordy about this. A brief description of the expected behaviors will do.

3. As soon as you get a cart, give the child a choice, "You can walk close to me or sit in the cart, which would you like?"

4. If the child refuses to walk close to you simply put him in the cart and say, "I see you've decided to sit in the cart." Then ignore all pleas and cries and talk about other things. Finish your shopping quickly. Tell the child she can try again next time you go shopping. If at the next shopping trip she misbehaves again, go shopping the next time without her. Do not lecture or admonish. Simply tell her you will be going alone this time and she may try again at the next shopping trip.

5. It is not advisable to promise a treat or reward for good behavior. This is bribery and teaches children to behave well only if there is something in it for them.

You can find many more tips in the book: Good Parent Sense