I was just remembering how hellish it used to be to take both my kids grocery shopping -- even a short time ago. Or even just one of my kids when they were very small. I have memories of sitting down on the floor in the cereal aisle to coach my kid through a tantrum, nursing leaning over the cart while walking, crying while my kids bickered and faught with each other, standing 6 feet away from a furious 5 year old who didn't want to be there and was shouting his "feelings" very articulately accross the store. I remember walking out and leaving carts full of carefully chosen foods sitting with disgruntled looks on their faces, apologizing and carrying out screaming children.
At some point things shifted though, and now I'm bummed if I have to grocery shop without my kids. At some point they became extremely helpful, we get through the list twice as fast with all three of us helping and carrying.... and its just a really gruelling job now, when I have to do it alone. But very pleasant with my helpers.
Today at the store, my 10 year old stood in line at the deli and confidently handled our cheese order, while my 7 year old filled bags with nice looking produce. I told him what fruits, but he picked out the "nice ones" without any help. Meanwhile, I was able to go ahead and get through the next 2 aisle, and then they caught up with me to put the cheese and produce in the cart.
My 10 year old can be sent down an aisle where we only need one one or two things, and can be trusted to compare sale prices and unit prices and come back with the best bargain. I move on, while he does that, so we can be more efficient. I don't even double check his choices anymore -- I have checked often enough in the past to fully trust his judgement.
My 7 year old has started reading the nutritional facts!
Today he approached me with a bag of animal crackers. "Mommy -- these are on sale for 1.69 and I would really like to have them. The suggested serving size is not actually very realistic though, and I think the calorie count is kind of high. But they are fat-free. Do you think they make a good enough choice for a snack food?" Little old ladies in the aisle were covering their mouths and turning away to hide smiles!
The checkout clerk gave the kids each a quarter, and a lot of praise for being such good helpers. They both looked very uncomfortable, but said "thank you." As we were walking out, they little one says, "I don't understand why we need a reward for choosing out our OWN food and helping to carry it. I'd have done it for free."
They sang TMBG songs while they carried the groceries into the kitchen, emptied the bags and organized the food on the table according to where I store it, so that I could put it away efficiently.
I guess it was worth it -- all those years!
At some point things shifted though, and now I'm bummed if I have to grocery shop without my kids. At some point they became extremely helpful, we get through the list twice as fast with all three of us helping and carrying.... and its just a really gruelling job now, when I have to do it alone. But very pleasant with my helpers.
Today at the store, my 10 year old stood in line at the deli and confidently handled our cheese order, while my 7 year old filled bags with nice looking produce. I told him what fruits, but he picked out the "nice ones" without any help. Meanwhile, I was able to go ahead and get through the next 2 aisle, and then they caught up with me to put the cheese and produce in the cart.
My 10 year old can be sent down an aisle where we only need one one or two things, and can be trusted to compare sale prices and unit prices and come back with the best bargain. I move on, while he does that, so we can be more efficient. I don't even double check his choices anymore -- I have checked often enough in the past to fully trust his judgement.
My 7 year old has started reading the nutritional facts!
Today he approached me with a bag of animal crackers. "Mommy -- these are on sale for 1.69 and I would really like to have them. The suggested serving size is not actually very realistic though, and I think the calorie count is kind of high. But they are fat-free. Do you think they make a good enough choice for a snack food?" Little old ladies in the aisle were covering their mouths and turning away to hide smiles!The checkout clerk gave the kids each a quarter, and a lot of praise for being such good helpers. They both looked very uncomfortable, but said "thank you." As we were walking out, they little one says, "I don't understand why we need a reward for choosing out our OWN food and helping to carry it. I'd have done it for free."
They sang TMBG songs while they carried the groceries into the kitchen, emptied the bags and organized the food on the table according to where I store it, so that I could put it away efficiently.
I guess it was worth it -- all those years!
I am not to the bickering stage yet with mine, as I have a 4 yo and a newborn. But my last trip to the grocery store involved getting halfway through the store when my newborn decided he did not want to be in the "bucket" any more (I know - I have every variety of sling/wrap, but it's super hot here and sometimes he really hates being confined in the wrap or sling, so it's a toss-up on what he's going to be happier with), so I ended up holding my littlest in one arm, pushing the bucket in the big cart with the other, transferring all the stuff to one of those "kid" carts that my 4 yo could push (or drive like a racecar) full of food, and we all stumled, bumped and struggled our way to the checkout line. It was quite stressful - I'm glad to know it does get better!
