Posted on December 6th, 2008 by
tutor1235
‘Tis the season of holiday shopping, and also the season of screaming meanies in the store aisles. We’ve all seen them-the kids who are screaming so hard that one would think they’re being abused, and helpless, hapless parents trying frantically to placate them. Heads turn and faces get red, and the situation is anything but pleasant for everyone within earshot.
Don’t let your child join the ranks of the holiday distractions! There are strategies that can minimize or even prevent the kids from causing similar scenes when you take them shopping.
–> Choose Your Shopping Time Carefully
All children have times when they are naturally in more pleasant and agreeable moods. Pick these times to go shopping. Avoid naptimes and mealtimes, and try not to take them out of the house mad. Most children do much better if they have some warning about the trip and a chance to finish what they feel is more important. Get your trip off to a good start by giving them ample time to transition from their agenda to yours. Tell them of the trip well in advance, and then give them a sort of countdown: We’ll be going shopping in about half an hour. Please finish what you’re working on. Then, you’ve got fifteen more minutes to clean up your things. Finally, five minutes before we go!
–> Don’t Overdo It
Many shopping excursions turn into marathons, particularly this time of year. Remember that your shopping helpers are much younger than you, and have a lot less stamina. Be careful that those last minute additions to your agenda don’t add hours to your trip plans. Keep the kids in mind, and resign yourself to an extra trip if needbe, rather than stress them with adding more and more stores to your intended destinations.
–> Add In Some Fun
Sprinkle a liberal mix of fun destinations and distractions into your plan if you need to bring the kids. Build in time to stop at the toy department, the book store, the rides or video games sections of the mall, or a favorite restaurant for a quick snack. Not only will these additions make the entire trip more palatable to your young passengers, they will also provide natural breaks for rejuvenation and natural consequences to deny in the case of misbehavior.
–> Play a Few Games
Inevitably, you will get stuck in traffic or land in a long slow line. Plan for this by having a few surprises up your sleeve. These can range from novel toys or treats tucked into your purse or pocket to new game ideas to try, like verbal puzzles or word games. Try games like “I Spy” or “Twenty Questions,” or make lists of items that begin with special letters or words that have two syllables. Play riddle games and memory games. These take little in the way of materials and preparation, and can distract youngsters before their behavior becomes problematic.
–> Always Follow Through
Perhaps most importantly, always follow through on your promises. If you promise that the child will receive a treat for great behavior at the end of the trip, don’t renig! If you threaten to turn the car around if the behavior continues, do so! Your children must know that you mean what you say and say what you mean. Whether carrot or stick, you need to make sure that your promised outcomes materialize.
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(c) 2008 Sandy Fleming
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