Shopping with kids

Tag : toy sweater

The unwritten rule, collectively agreed upon by countless moms, isto leave the kids home when grocery shopping.
Mothers know in-tow children can bust any budget - regardless oftheir formidable talents to coupon-clip and sales-hunt.
But even savvy-shopping moms sometimes have to take their kids tothe supermarket. These women, however, implement techniques to keepthem within budget and assure their kids won't throw tempertantrums.
"When I have to bring them, I have my list," said Donna Parks ofMyrtle Beach, mother of 5-year-old Duncan and 2-year-old Tanner.
"I say, 'OK guys, I want to get in and get out.'"
Parks said she might stray from her list if her sons want somethingnot budgeted.
"I don't write down exactly what I want to get them," she said. "Soif they see something they want and if it's not too much junk food,I'll get it."
Parks also makes her menus the day before and then writes down hergrocery list.
Once in the store, she moves forward aisle by aisle. The formulahelp prevent her from backtracking.
"That's how you get into trouble because you end up buying stuffyou don't really need because you see more stuff if you have to goback down an aisle," Parks said. "And if you go back with the kids,they might see something they want, and I don't want to have to goback down an aisle and listen to them say, 'I want this and I wantthis' again."
Brandi Murphy said common sense is crucial when shopping withchildren. The stay-at-home mom uses a mixture of psychology andmethods when shopping with her 4-year-old, Catherine Rose.
On a recent grocery trip to Lowes Foods off S.C. 707 south ofMyrtle Beach, Murphy allowed her daughter to choose one box ofcereal.
Catherine Rose's little fingers pointed to Reese's Puffs.
When Murphy took the 13-ounce box of cereal from the shelf,Catherine Rose clapped in delight.
She actually fetched her Kraft Handi-Snacks Oreo Cookies & Cremeherself before her mom lifted her and put her back in the shoppingcart.
"These are her two snacks," Murphy said.
At the checkout counter, Catherine Rose saw candy she wanted.
Murphy was prepared and pulled a lollipop from her bag and gave itto her daughter.
Both Murphy ladies left the grocery store content - Murphy stayedwithin her budget (her final bill was $139.37) and Catherine Rosewas happy with her treats.
Angela Geer is also never stressed at the grocery store whenshopping with her 4-year-old daughter, Grace.
"I plan a weekly menu, and I know exactly what I want," said Geer,a Georgetown resident. "If she asks for something, I tell her'no.'"
Geer's sister, Tonya Thompson, follows strict rules, and they aresimple ones: Her son and daughter are not allowed to buy toys orcandy.
Still, Cailia Thompson, 11, and Randy Thompson, 10, have found waysto get over.
Cailia, on occasion, has sneaked snacks and junk food into theshopping cart at checkout.
"She helps me take the groceries out of the buggy and sometimes Ididn't realize I bought something not on my list until we gothome," Thompson said.
Randy employs a simply economic approach to get what he wants.
"He will say, 'Mama, can I please get this? I will pay you back,'"Thompson said.
"And I usually do," Randy chimed in while he shopped with hisfamily at Piggly Wiggly at The Market Common.
His mama agreed.
"He does pay me," Thompson said. "He gets the money from his piggybank.'
Nevertheless, Thompson said there is one surefire way for moms toalways save money at the grocery store.
"If you can leave them at home, leave them at home," Thompson said.
"Don't take them with you at all."