I have a ritual talk in the minivan before going into a grocery store. Especially if it’s “big groceries,” the kind that are supposed to last us for at least a week. *eye roll* I look in the rear view mirror, trying to engage all four children. Sometimes I beg and plead. Sometimes I remind them consequences for rowdy behavior and whining.
We pile out and I try to get the two-year-old into the cart, but he’s a man of action. Then I try to clip the baby’s carseat into the cart. I studied Tetris for years, but this is an impossible puzzle. I end up putting the carseat down in the cart. There is now NO room for groceries.
Why are we here again?
Sometimes I’m a hot mess and a motherly lady will pat my arm and say I’m doing great. Sometimes my children ask intelligent questions and I show them how to pick a ripe avocado. Educational. And sometimes I growl through clenched teeth for them to stop chasing each other in a circle around the cart.
Now add to this the holiday crowds that are coming. Hello. It’s time for strategy. Here are a few grocery tricks, especially for moms of young kids. I hope they get you through your next grocery trip.
- Go to smaller stores. I found it helpful to break up the walking distance and the time spent in one building. I personally favor Aldi – it is thoughtfully laid out and great value! If I’m going to a Super Wal-Mart or a similar store, I will just go to one department.
- Distraction. I keep a bag of tiny, dollar-store animals in my purse. If we lose a minuscule zebra, I have a camel.
- Snacks. My purse is armed with baggies of apple slices or boxes of raisins. Some Dillon’s stores have a basket with free fruit for hungry kiddos. I’ve handed the Aldi cashier empty pouches of applesauce to ring up. Our record is three pouches in one shopping trip, and the cashiers are always gracious. Probably because they heard the roaring of the man cub. I also try to be sure the baby is fully fed before exiting the vehicle.
- Prep beforehand. A ready, complete list is essential. For the last year, I’ve clutched a bullet journal as if was a life vest.
- Bribery *cough* positive reinforcement. My friend tells her six kids that they can all celebrate a calm grocery trip with Sonic Happy Hour slushies. She is so wise.
- Shop for groceries online. There are seasons when you.just.can’t.do.it. I just tried grocery shopping online and nearly cried as all my groceries were loaded for me at 7:45pm on a school night. For Dillon’s ClickList Pickup, you select what you want online and reserve a pickup time. You will have a one-hour window for pickup, which you can reserve up to three days in advance. When you arrive at your selected store, there is reserved parking and you just call the number on the sign to notify the attendant that you are there. Voilà, they load your groceries. Fees vary by region. Wal-Mart Grocery Pickup is similar. It is free with a $30 minimum. You still choose your time slot, but you can reserve up to three weeks in advance.
- Go kidless. Your sanity is sometimes worth shopping late at night or during the precious weekend family time.
Sometimes we buckle up and I dole out the dire consequences. But there are days when I look back in the rear view mirror and say, “Good job, team! We did it!”
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