Tips for Shopping day to be an Easy Day

I remember when shopping days were simple, easy and quick. When going to shopping used to be another way to relax and have a great day out. But ever since I have become a mum it seems like I have lost the track of how I thought shopping was supposed to be relaxing?

Now going to shopping is like going around in circles in one isle. Yes of course when your little one is too independent to sit on a pram or a trolley than there is no way out. Even though we mums love our little ones but the truth is all of us hate doing shopping with them, specially when we are in rush and are on strict time schedule. Here are some of the tricks and tips which has worked for me so far. I must mention they don't work everytime but even if they work 6 out of 10 that is good. Right?

Tips to Make Shopping Day an Easy Day with our little ones:-

1. Don't try to be a Super Mum:- Before you get out of the car and grab that trolley, just give a reminder to yourself that you are not a super mum, lol. I know most of us don't even want to think that we are not super mums. But what I have learned from my parenting of last 4 years, that when we try too hard to become a 10/10 mum than somehow we unintentionally start having high expectation from our little one. And in most cases that's the problem. For example, when your little one start giving a tantrum in the middle of the isle, than instead of getting frustrated (as you want to do everything on time/ being a super mum), try giving a cuddle for a minute or two and you will see how your little one will calm down (In most cases).

2. Let Your Little Helpers Help You:- Yes I know we mums are always in rush and letting the little one help could be one more job. No harm giving it a go, specially when you know that bub is going to run here and there in the shop and you will end up following him/her anyway. So give it a shot, ask them to help you. My little girl don't want to sit in the trolley and want to run around in the grocery shop. After many days like this, one day I asked her to help me doing shopping. Not only she helped me but I didn't even had to run after her from one isle to the other, as she was busy finding things I told her to, and I only gave her things which were present in the same isle as me. It was like a hide and seek with grocery. She enjoyed it and so did I. It might have took 5 extra minutes but it saved my 10 minutes to run after her and I didn't got annoyed. Win Win Situation..

3. One Treat Wont Harm Anyone:- We Mums know what is best for our little one. I do not like the idea of giving treats to kids all the time. But on a day when you know that your little one is in a little cranky mood and you cannot skip shopping, you can offer a little treat. You are the best judge what to offer to your bub, in my case my little girl love yoghurt and crackers. So on a day when she is tired or hungry and I have to go shopping urgently, I first go straight to yoghurt and take few pouches for her and give her one by one. And surprisingly usually she do not like to sit on the pram or trolley, but when she knows she will get to eat something she likes she does. When she is enjoying sipping at the yummy yoghurt I finish the quick shop. Not a bad idea huh??

4. Make Shopping a Treasure :- As a mother we know what our kid like to play the most. But shopping could be a fun thing. Try to make it as a treasure island for your bub. Kids have sharp memory, somehow we might forget things we see due to our running life, but amazingly many incidents have happened with my bub that it makes me amaze that how good kids memories are. Take advantage of that. Tel them certain product and ask them to stop you when we reach there. Give them instructions like we have to be together when we find the treasure (item/product). Might not work with every kid, but with an active kid like mine it always help. NO harm giving it go..

5. Ignore People with Grumpy Faces:- Many times I have seen people giving me bad eyes or should I say bad looks in supermarket. Every time it happens I just tell myself that its ok, this is my life and I choose my child's happiness. As long as my child is not hurting anyone or saying something disrespectful I don't have to worry about those grumpy faces. 50% of such people don't have kids themselves, so they have no idea how it is to be with a bub 24/7, so cant expect them to understand. And 30% are amazingly parents, with either really sophisticated calm kids or grown kids. Then comes those 20% beautiful smiles and eyes that says "I understand". Just pay attention to those loving eyes and give a smile back. Always remember you are the role model to your bub, so be a smiley face. SMILE :-)

6. Tel your Bub that You Love Them:- Last but not the least, tell your bub you love them. Amazingly these 4 letter words are very powerful. We as mums love our bubs to moon and back, and often feel how precious they are when they are asleep, I know I feel that too. But somehow we forget to tell them on their face or just take it for granted that they know it. When everything is going wrong and no trick is working and you just want to scream out loud and drop the bags on the floor  or whatever is getting in your mind. Just hold your bub and tell them you love them so much. This is one of those things which magically works in my case, it not only takes my stress away but also calms my little one down. Try It..

These are not super tricks, but something from my experience. It might work might not. As its hard for us, its also hard for our little ones. Never stress too much about future to ruin today. Enjoy your day out with bub, have a good laugh, enjoy their smile and always remember they will never be this age forever. And when they will grow up we will miss it.

Thanks for reading..

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