Shopping And Tantrums

Tips for Keeping Your Toddler Happy While Shopping

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Q: Dear April Masini,

I have a toddler who has just gone into what must be her Terrible Twos. We are dealing pretty well in most ways, but in public places it's an absolute nightmare. Whenever I try to go to the grocery store or the mall, say to do some gift shopping or something, she wails the entire time. Even if I could tolerate it, it seems inhumane to expose the rest of the innocent bystanders to her healthy lung capacity. What can I do to keep her calm for chunks of time so I can get my errands done?

Sincerely,

Frazzled Mom 

A:

Dear Frazzled Mom,

Toddlers and shopping can be like mixing Manolo Blahniks and a muddy football field — disaster. Keep your shopping spree tantrum free with these tips:

1. Shop armed. Don’t leave home without snacks!! Keep a large plastic bag stocked daily within your purse. In that plastic bag keep juice boxes, little water bottles, individually wrapped or packaged snacks like raisins, goldfish crackers and pretzels. Most kids will quit crying when fed if they’re hungry.

2. Invest in a good stroller. Don’t penny pinch on your toddler’s stroller. There is nothing worse than having an umbrella turn inside out in the rain than a stroller collapse or mangle on the escalator of a mall. Get one that is easy to transport (lightweight), easy to collapse and clean off and one that has good storage for packages, drinks and more. Don’t forget to buy one that is narrow enough to fit on the escalators and reclines for toddler naps.

3. Toys 2 go. Keep some toys for your child in your stroller and/or your purse/diaper bag. A great toy is a child-sized photo-key chain with plastic slots for you to put family photos in. Change the photos every so often. Your child will love looking at them while you shop.

4. No marathons. Be realistic. If you have a toddler with you, you won’t be able to shop the same way you would if you’re by yourself, in sneakers, with a caffeinated drink in hand. Set small goals when shopping avec bebe.

5. Keep your keys and wallet together. Get a nifty wallet with a key ring hook so you can reach in and grab everything you need without rooting through a suitcase sized purse full of odds and ends with tampons flying all over the place — at best!

6. Pay for parking. If you’re used to saving the valet parking fee and looking for a space to save money, occasionally treat yourself to valet parking. You will buy yourself, possibly, an extra hour or more of peace. Let the valet parking crew load your car with your stroller, your packages, and you take care of the baby. It’s a good investment in some power shopping!

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

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