Sanity Savers: 10 ways to have a stress free supermarket shop with your tot

Keeping your tot behaving well at the supermarket can be a challenge. Our Sanity Savers offer some tips to help

By askamum

1. Warn him in advance
Warn your tot in advance that they will be coming to do the shopping with you. It avoids disappointment when you go out as it is not as exciting outing as they may have hoped.

2. Explain what you expect of them
Before you leave home, explain to your tot what you expect of them in the supermarket. That you expect them to listen to you, walk nicely and behave well.

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3. Be organised
When shopping with tots in tow, it is a good idea to be organised. Have your list done and just concentrate on getting what you need so you can get in and out as quickly as possible.

4. Get your tot involved
Get your tot involved in the shopping so they feel part of it. Making them your little helper to get things off the shelf will help them stay involved and not get bored.

5. Remind them of what you expect
Keep reminding them of how important it is to be good in the supermarket.

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6. Praise them
If you tot is behaving well don’t forget to reward them with praise as this will help him continue to do so.

7. Avoid treat aisles
Think ahead and try to avoid the isles with toys, sweets etc. You have your list, stick to it.

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8. Tone of voice
If you do have to tell your child off for misbehaving, come down to his level, lower your tone of voice and tell him that his behaviour has been naughty and you expect him to behave properly from now.

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9. Make them hold the trolley if necessary
If your tot starts to run off, give him one warning to let him know that he will have to hold the trolley or sit in it if he continues to run off. Stand by this and if he does it again, make him hold or get in the trolley seat.

10. Reward him
At the end of the shop, if he has behaved well, reward him with plenty of praise and perhaps a little treat.

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