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Home › Articles › Holiday: Winter › Holiday Shopping with Babies and Toddlers

Holiday Shopping with Babies and Toddlers

How to Survive a Trip With the Kids in Tow

By Neilia Sherman

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  • As soon as you enter a mall or store, agree upon a meeting area in case you are separated. The customer service desk is a good choice.
  • Put ID tags with the parents' name and phone number in the pockets of young children in case they get lost. If you have a cell phone, use that number on the ID tag and keep it on.
  • Thieves know that harried mothers, who are often easily distracted by their children, tend to leave their purses hanging on the back of a stroller. Never take your eyes off your purse or wallet, and guard your credit and debit cards. Make sure that no one is looking over your shoulder when you are entering your PIN number.
  • If you are making trips back and forth with gifts, make sure to lock them in your trunk. Leaving gifts on the back seat will tempt crooks to break into your car. Park near a landmark or tie a ribbon on your antenna so that you can easily find your car in a crowded lot.

    • And when it's all over and you've all made it out alive with only a few battle scars, remember that there is nothing wrong with rewarding good behavior – especially for a marathon shopping expedition. Jody Roth of Toronto, Ontario, an expert in early childhood education, suggests letting your child choose a gift at the end of a long shopping excursion. "Show them two items you are willing to let them have and let them chose one," she says.

    Remember, the holiday season is supposed to fun. So take a positive outlook, prepare the troops, pack some ammunition to fend off boredom and enjoy the time spent with your children.

    Tips for Shopping With Kids
    • Remove a child who is out of control.
    • Don't ever buy your child a present after he or she has had a tantrum.
    • Praise your child often.
    • Remember our kids are not perfect and neither are we.

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