Parents are preventing their kids from causing a scene in the middle of the store.
A lot of of parents absolutely dread taking their kids out to do the errands…
They know that as soon as they get into the grocery store, Wal-Mart, Target, or even a gas station, their kids are going to start wanting everything in sight.
It wouldn’t be so bad if the kids didn’t make a scene about it right?
Sometimes they take no for answer…
But usually they don’t…
That’s when the tantrums start and strangers start staring at you wondering how you could have let your kids turn into such spoiled brats.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
There are actually things you can do before you even leave the house that will help prevent these types of meltdowns that get all sorts of negative attention.
One of the best things you can do is decide AHEAD of time whether it’s going to be:
- A Shopping Trip
Or
- A Looking Trip.
Shopping trips are where you buy things. Looking trips…are where you just look.
As therapist, Scott Peebles, says:
It may be a “Shopping Trip” for you and only a “Looking Trip” for the kids. Make this perfectly clear before you go.
Scott Peebles has a newsletter for Slightly Off The Wall Parents (SWOP’s) and he brings a lot of light-hearted energy to parenting which is a refreshing change of pace.
In his article you’ll see some examples of exactly what to say to your kids if they start making a fuss in the store even after you made the agreement ahead of time about it just being a Looking Trip…
And while I don’t agree with what he says toward the end of his article (about coming home and rubbing it in that your kids missed out on a great trip..)
I really love his tip about making clear agreements with your kids ahead of time about what kind of outing you’re making to the store. Teaching your kids the distinction between a Shopping Trip and a Looking Trip gets two thumbs up.
Is It A Shopping Trip Or A Looking Trip? [Scott Peebles]
