quick clicks

dads today articles

dads today q&a

message boards

research baby names

prepare a birth plan

content channels

ip channel rss feeds

read birth stories

read parenting stories

recommended books

e-newsletters

safety recalls

ip diaries

ip store

mom of the month

dad of the month

editor's letter

letters to the editor

Basket Wars

Tackling the Grocery Store with Little Ones

By Donna Smith

"Have rules as early as possible so that as your child gets older you can avoid tantrums about buying items like cereals, toys or candies they don't need, you don't want them to have or can't afford," suggests Hespe. Hespe also has her toddler help her with the shopping. "Get them familiar with the experience and let them help you choose items and put them in the cart, and make it fun," she says. And when it's rough, she advises counting to 10. "We all have bad days," she adds.

Kristin Townsend, a mother of two from Springboro, Ohio, says her 2-year-old prefers being in a stroller rather than the shopping cart. "I have found it easier in most shopping situations to use a stroller rather than a cart," says Townsend. "I personally think it has to do with the fact that they are busier looking up and around and out of reach of things that are high."

Townsend uses her stroller and a basket while shopping, and when the basket is full, she asks an employee to take it up front for her. "When I am done, I can collect my purchases and pay for it all at once," she says. "Most stores are great about helping mothers with children and will take the cart to the car for me."

Want to see more?

• Talk about it!
• Hi, Ho, Cheerios: Pleasing Picky Palates
• Are You New? When Does Mom Have to Relinquish the Title?
• Public Scrutiny: Disciplining Your Toddler Outside of the Home