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Holiday Shopping with Babies and Toddlers
How to Survive a Trip With the Kids in Tow
By Neilia Sherman
What is more stressful than holiday shopping? Holiday shopping with your kids in tow, of course. Your goal: to get the shopping done quickly, efficiently and on budget.
Your kids' goal: to get some loot for good behavior, while educating you about the 200 items on their wish lists. They can't take a chance that you'll buy the wrong gift after all.
"The worst is when my son doesn't want to go into stores that I need to go into in order to make my purchases," says Brian Waterman of Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. "This makes me feel very stressed. So I have to sit down with him prior to shopping to go over what has to be done, and a deal is made: I'll let you go to three stores of your choice if you let me buy Mom's Chanukah present."
Waterman also mentions that he sometimes gets coerced into buying a small toy, as well. These types of deals can quickly slow you down and can add to your holiday costs.
Also, let your child know your expectations for that particular shopping trip. They could be: "Stay close to me at all times" or "We will not be buying candy today." You might even want to role-play the correct way to act in a store.
Children should be well rested and well fed for a shopping trip to have any hope of running smoothly. Bring nutritious drinks and snacks such as milk, juice, raisins, apples, carrots and nuts. For younger kids, a favorite toy or book may help them to feel secure.
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