Buying food becomes an expensive endeavor when you have a family. Even heading out to the grocery store, when you have little ones along, can be a daunting task. There are things you can do to make, both, buying on a budget, and taking the kids along easier. Here are 15 grocery store survival tips for moms
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15 Grocery Store Survival Tips for Moms
1. Make a list.
The easiest way to stick to a budget is to make a list of all the items you want to buy. It’s also the best way to remember everything you need; otherwise, you may forget one or more of the essentials
2. Find the easiest time to shop.
If there is a time that is easiest for you to shop, definitely go then. Try to avoid peak shopping days or times like right before a holiday.
3. Prepare the kids ahead of time.
If your kids are old enough to understand, tell them ahead of time that you’re going to the grocery store. Let them know what you expect, and don’t expect, from them. They will be much more apt to behave if they know your store rules and consequences.
4. Find the store with the best sales: If you look for the best sales, beforehand, you will know where you should shop, and it also helps you to make your list. Another possible benefit is some stores price match, so if you find an item you need on sale at one store, you can still get it for that price at the store you are going to shop at.
5. Clip your coupons beforehand: If you use coupons you will be very thankful at the checkout line because you have your coupons clipped and organized. If you don’t have it prepared beforehand, and your tired or stressed out, you may be willing to forego the savings for the sake of time.
6. Shop at one store: Shopping at one store is a good idea for anyone who has little ones in tow. Babies and toddlers get crabby, and start crying when they’re hungry, need a diaper change, or need a nap.
7. Pack a small bag with essentials: Packing a small bag with extra diapers, wipes, snacks, and toy or item to keep them busy, will help you get your shopping done. You’ll be glad you have it, especially, if you need to change a diaper while you’re there.
8. Feed the kids and yourself before you head out: It’s never a good idea to go grocery shopping on an empty stomach. This is especially true for little ones because they don’t understand that you’re just trying to run to the store, to quickly grab some groceries.
9. Resist the impulse buys: If you are trying to stick with a budget, it is very important that you resist impulse buying. If something is on sale, but you don’t need it or had no intention on buying it now, it really isn’t saving you any money.
10. Try to stay on task: It is easy to get sidetracked and start looking at other items that you don’t have on your list, but this isn’t a good idea. For the sake of your kids, you should try to stay focused on what you went to the store to buy in the first place.
11.Don’t stay too long: Kids get tired, bored, and hungry quickly, so it’s a good idea to limit the amount of time you spend at the grocery store. The faster you can get in and out of the store, the less likely they’ll have a meltdown.
12. Be consistent: This is important for kids of all ages. They need to know they have boundaries, and what the rules are. They also need to know what the consequences are for breaking the rules, and most of all, that you mean what you say and are consistent.
13. Don’t make empty threats: Don’t you make empty threats like; you’ll leave the store right that minute if they don’t stop bothering you for things. If you don’t leave because you have almost completed shopping, your kids will learn to push further to see how far they can get. They won’t believe you when you say they will receive a punishment for bad behavior.
14. Don’t bribe your kids for good behavior: Kids should not be bribed for good behavior. This is setting them up for disappointment in life. For example, at school, they are expected to sit still and listen because that is how the class can focus on learning, not because they are getting something for good behavior.
15. Do reward good behavior afterward: Positive reinforcement is also the best way to help solidify good behavior, in your child, and still helps with abolish bad behavior. If they see that they are not getting a reward because they misbehaved, they will learn to behavior appropriately.
If you are consistent and have clearly specified rules for your children, they will learn to behave how you want them to. It takes time and practice, but you will see the fruits of your hard labor. Making a list and sticking with a budget will help you to get the essentials, and not spend too much time, trying to remember why you were going to the store in the first place.