I have been working on a series of posts concerning how to do things with children especially when you have several as I do. My first post was about
Beginning and winning the hearts of your children. My second post was
How to Coupon with Children. Now that you have got your coupons ready, the next part of the series will help you Go Shopping with Children.
When I first became a mother, I was finishing college. My mother-in-law and my mom took turns keeping my son on the days I had classes which was every day for the first two weeks, then it varied after that as I began student teaching. Most of the time I took my child with me on Saturday mornings bright and early (I’m talking around 5am!) to avoid the crowded stores. Since I was a new nursing mom it worked really well for me because he would usually sleep throughout the entire trip. He was about five months old when I finished student teaching, graduated from college, and began teaching for a friend (my former AG teacher). I taught basically for the remainder of the year and was due with baby number two during the process. My mother-in-law graciously volunteered to keep them both any time I wanted/needed to go anywhere. My mom was working, but also wanted to keep them at least one day a week. So, I made Thursdays my grocery store days, and she took off most every Thursday and watched the children. It was the year 2002. I did not have a computer at home much less internet access. Also, there was not much online at the time concerning couponing and bargain shopping anyway! So…I did the best I could with the ads from the paper (courtesy of my grandmother-in-law!), and got the best deals I could. It was very easy going by myself! Unfortunately, my mother-in-law went to work sometime between the third and fourth baby and my mom and dad moved just after the fifth baby was born. So…I was out of a babysitter. Now, I really NEEDED a babysitter and was left on my own. It’s okay. I never expected anyone and still do not expect anyone to help me with my children (other than my husband, of course!). They are my responsibility! However, it would be nice to have them as Tim and I keep adding children to the family! Anyway, by 2004 we had a computer and Internet. There still was not much on the Internet about deal shopping. I really did not use the Internet for couponing much until 2006-2007. In March 2007, I had my fifth child. Shopping with my children had been an absolute breeze. Then enters baby five! WHEW! I finally understood how the moms feel whose children pitch fits in the store. It was not until my fifth child that I ever had a child pitch a fit in the store. You know one of those fits where it does not matter what you do, they will continue crying until they get it out of their system! Yep! My fifth child was the perfect example. I feel God sent her to me to prove to me I do not have all the answers and HE is still in control! Being a mother of four children under four was not easy by any means, but it became much more difficult when the fifth one came along as I never knew when I fit would hit. She has overcome this stage, Thank the Lord, and the two after her have never gone through it. Clearly, evidence, ALL children ARE different, even with the same parents and raised in the same environment! Also, evidence, no matter how many children I have, I will never know all there is to know about being a parent!
Anyway, I had five children with the youngest nursing when I first began deal shopping/coupon shopping. I had taken them with me before, but it was more difficult having the nursing baby in the mix as well as figuring out what to do with everyone and how to organize the trip. We figured it out and came up with a system which works for us. It has been modified somewhat as the children grow both in age and in number! Part one is going to discuss the things to have prepared and completed before you head out the door with your passel of children!
Feeding your children is essential before you go anywhere. Make sure their tummies are full and they are happy. I do not recommend filling them up with junk food either. A nice complete meal with both protein and carbohydrate will last the longest and make them feel the best.
- Plan Your Menu and Grocery List and Stick to It!
My children know if it is NOT on my list and NOT something which is a good deal, we are not going to purchase it. It is one of our rules. Having a grocery list also helps me to get through the store quickly and efficiently. I try to make my grocery list in order as things come in the store. For instance, if the produce department is the first department in the store, then I will write the produce items first. It is important to already know what you are after before you get there! It will save a lot of time. Also, as you know from the How to Coupon with Children post from last week, I let the children participate in the compiling of the list. It has also helped when we go to the store. If they know there are no produce items listed for the store we go to, then they know we can quickly glance over it and look for specials, and then be on our merry way to the next department! For more info on planning a menu see my series of posts
Walking You Through Savings on Groceries Part 4 Planning A Menu.
I mentioned feeding your children. Also, if you know you are going to be out a long time, be sure to pack snacks. My children are the crankiest when they are hungry and tired! Usually, with a quick snack, they will be revived and we can continue our shopping trip.
- Take Extras (Clothing, Shoes, Diapers, Wipes, etc.)
Do you know how many times I have had a child have an accident? Too many to count! I have also been without extras when it has happened too! Not fun! I try to keep a small tote with extra diapers, wipes, and underwear. Then, before each trip, I will pack extra clothes for the children who will most likely have the accidents. When I am nursing, I will also take an extra blouse/shirt along for myself! You never know when you may need one!
- Go Over Rules before You Leave the House
Keep your rules simple and easy to follow. Some of our rules include: Only the things on our list are what we get, there is no need to ask. Stay with your buddy and Mommy at all times. Listen to Mommy’s voice and pay attention when I say stop or go, etc. There are others, and you have to do what works for your family. I will be mentioning others as we go along with this section of How-To with Children.
- Get Reinforcement and Support from Husband
Make sure your husband is in support of what you are doing and your children know he supports you and will follow through with what you have planned. My children know their Daddy and I are almost always on the same page. They know Daddy will reinforce and stand by Mommy in most every situation (there has not been one yet where he did not support me). Reinforcement from my husband has been essential in all areas of our parenting. If we were constantly in disagreement, I am sure we would not be able to do as much as we do with our children!
I will have part two of How to Go Shopping with Your Children next week. I am not sure how many parts there will be to this particular topic. I am trying to break it up into shorter segments!
Puffins has been one of our favorite special gluten free treats! No longer! The best thing to do is to look for the organic seal as your assurance that the foods were produced without deliberate use of GMOs by farmers!
