You Shouldn’t Bring Your Kids To The Grocery Store With You, Here’s Why
Taking your kids to the grocery store could result in higher a grocery bill, and unwanted items being added to your cart.
The sun is just starting to peek over the horizon on a typical Saturday morning, and parents across the nation are gearing up for their weekly grocery store run. Some are excited for a little alone time, while others begrudgingly accept the chore as a necessary evil.
Then there’s a select group of parents who relish bringing their kids along for the ride. But hold on, before you grab your little ones and head to the store, there’s something you should know—you may want to think twice before bringing your kids to the grocery store.
To begin, it’s common knowledge that most children can’t resist the allure of candy and other sweets sold in brightly colored packaging. Everyone knows that grocery stores set up their displays to attract customers, but kids really up the ante. Your kid asks for fruit snacks in the shape of dinosaurs while you’re trying to find the best avocado. And let’s be honest: sometimes it’s simpler to cave in and give in to a child’s demands than to try to reason with them.
The main reason why parents should refrain from taking their kids to the grocery store is that they may wind up spending more than they planned.
ConsumerAffairs shared a recent study that found that when parents shop with their children, they are 35 percent more likely to spend more money than when they shop without their children. The total cost includes more than just fruit snacks and candy bars. Children have an uncanny knack for choosing the most expensive thing, whether it’s organic baby food or premium cheese. Your grocery bill doubles before your eyes, and you have no idea what happened.
It’s understandable why some parents may feel overwhelmed after a trip to the grocery store. Nevertheless, there is more stress than just money involved in buying groceries for a family. The mental and emotional cost to a parent is equally significant.
There are, of course, parents who can do their grocery shopping with their children in tow like experts. They’ve got food, diversions, and a strategy all planned out and ready to go. However, for the rest of us, taking the kids grocery shopping is a test of patience and a significant financial burden.
What, then, is the answer?
Going to the grocery store is a necessity, no doubt, but there are many things parents can do so that it isn’t something they dread each week. For example, hiring a reliable babysitter to look after the kids at home may be a good idea. But when that’s not an option, there are certain things you can do to ease the blow.
First, get a feel for the store’s layout and the general locations of the things you need. Be sure to have a list and a game plan ready before you arrive. That way, you can concentrate better and stay focused.
Second, remember to include some kid-friendly snacks and entertainment. A few simple things, like a bag of crackers or a tablet loaded with games, may go a long way toward keeping kids happy and active.
Thirdly, practice saying “no.” You don’t have to give in to your kids’ constant requests for sweets and snacks. Remember that you’re the one in charge.
Finally, try to go to the grocery store before the midday or evening rush. In this way, the kids won’t become overstimulated by all the activity. And definitely, make sure kids are well-rested and fed to evade any aisle-wide tantrums.
It needn’t be hard to go grocery shopping with kids. Remember that you can always click on an online grocery store from the comfort of your home if all else fails. Prepare yourself, have some patience, and learn to say “no” if necessary, and you can get through it with your sanity (and your bank account) still intact.
