The Rule-Bending Grocery Trick I Do (Almost) Every Time I Shop
Like many shoppers, I want to get in and out of the supermarket as quickly as possible. If there’s one thing that’s guaranteed to slow me down, it’s bringing my kid, who’ll beg for snacks that weren’t on my very strategic shopping list (just this once PLEASE!), knock over a display case (I didn’t mean it!), have a bathroom emergency when we’re on the checkout line (I didn’t have to go before!), or lose his favorite toy in one of the aisles (maybe it’s by the Z-bars?!). Or maybe all of the above.
Knowing these snags will absolutely happen, I still try to bring my 6-year-old to the grocery store once a week or so. It’s a Saturday morning ritual we’ve done since he was 2 or 3, because it offers so many teachable moments that I know will benefit him in the long run. If you have a young kid, here are a few reasons why you might want to think about doing the same.
1. It’s a chance to chat about a balanced diet.
While all foods can fit into a healthy eating pattern, I believe certain kinds of foods deserve more real estate than others. So we’ll talk about growing foods (like fruits and veggies) versus treats (like ice cream) as we add items to our cart. The conversations have gotten a bit more nuanced as my son has gotten older. For instance, when he asks for a certain type of burger buns, I’ll take a beat to explain the differences in ingredients and other info you’ll find on the nutrition facts labels.
2. We can discuss grocery needs vs. wants.
The supermarket is full of so many exciting snack bars and colorful cereals, candies, and even toys. Especially when my son was younger, he (obviously) wanted them all. Occasionally I’d let him add one special food to the cart, but more often, I’d redirect the conversation to talk about the items on our list that we needed versus the wants that weren’t on our list and didn’t fit our budget. Over time, it’s built up his tolerance for being okay with not getting everything he wants. And he asks for wayyyyy less stuff.
3. It’s awesome practice for being patient and waiting your turn.
Long lines aren’t fun, but they’re part of life — particularly in our crowded city supermarket. Instead of shying away from them, I see them as a chance for my kid to work his patience muscles. Sometimes he’s fun and cute, making up songs or chatting with other customers while we wait. Other times he’s annoying and whiny. Both are fine.
4. Being a helper boosts his confidence.
Experts say that entrusting kids with age-appropriate responsibilities builds their self-esteem and self-efficacy, which I’m all for. So I’ll have my kid write out our grocery list, ask him to grab the apples or lemons, or have him hand me items from the cart at the self-checkout counter. Since he knows I’m entrusting him with a (relatively) important task, he’ll usually rise to the occasion and help out.
5. It raises him to be an equal partner.
Grocery shopping is a part of household labor traditionally done by moms and/or women. Bringing my son to the store gives him a glimpse of that work, and hopefully, teaches him to be a partner who’ll participate equally in meal planning and prep.
If this all sounds a little too idyllic (or straight up braggy), I acknowledge that it isn’t for everyone. Sometimes you really don’t have time to slow-shop with a curious (or moody, or exhausted) kid; other times you might prefer to use your grocery run as a chance to get some alone time. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Even bringing your kid along to the market once or twice a month can have an impact. So give it a try. The most you’ll lose is 30 minutes.
Got a tip for shopping with kids at the grocery store? Tell us about it in the comments.