I got a lot of winning video material out of my recent Dollar Tree shopping trip with Breanna. I even got some footage to give you a taste of what it’s like shopping at the dollar store with three little kids. Parent of the Year, or Parent from H-E-double hockey sticks? You be the judge (and let me know what you think).
My tips for shopping with kids?
- Make sure they’re at the beginning of their day/as far away from naptime as possible
- Make sure they’ve eaten recently
- At the dollar store, bribe with $1 (“You can choose ONE thing to take home”)
- Keep a reserve bag of candy or snacks in your purse for additional bribes
- Hit the toy aisle LAST (and use it as a bribe for good behavior)
- Keep your voice low so the whole store doesn’t know your business with your kiddo
- Leave before it’s too late
LiEr at ikat bag wrote a post awhile back about fabric shopping with kiddos that you might enjoy. Lots of great tips there (my favorite one, which holds true in any situation: “dress your children adorably. Other patrons in line with you for the cutting counter are more easily charmed by a child in a well-put-together outfit.”)
5 Comments
Wren
First, your kids are adorable! There is nothing in the world cuter than a red-headed little boy.
Second, when you told him to say, “Yes, Mommie”, and he stuck his lip out and debated the odds, I got the best laugh I’ve had all day–maybe all week. ;-)
Third, you have a better Dollar Tree than we do. I was there today, and there were no snakes, no body parts, and no tombstones. The Halloween section was dull, dull, dull!!!
Angela
Very exciting! I’m constantly fighting my little one from sucking on the cart. Ew.
Bean Bags
I can totally appreciate the trials of shopping with 3 young kids. I’ve got 3 myself and although most of the time they’re pretty good – it can occassionally be a nightmare.
Found your blog from Infarrantly Creative by the way. Lovin’ it so far!
Morgan
I like playing the Finding game game with my three boys. They always say, “Look mom! Cookies ” and then I say “WOW! You’re good at finding cookies! Can you find something red?” then they look for something red. Occasionally they’ll press the issue, “Mom we should buy cookies” then I just point to the list and say, “Maybe next time, it’s not on the list this time. Do you think we should get the chocolate or regular graham crackers?”
I think it lets them know it’s ok to get excited about something and then pass it up. Then I ask them an unrelated question to distract them. :D
Jen
We are major dollar store shoppers and have been for years (my first job out of high school was at the local dollar store). My daughter is 6 now, but has been helping me shop for years. I find that helps to keep her occuiped. Lol she loves carrying the basket too.