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Original poster

Keeping toddler occupied whilst food shopping

17 replies

sparkleshine · 27/02/2011 09:07

I think I've got myself into a bad habit and need to know what I can do.

DS is 14 months and when we go supermarket food shopping he sits in the seat at the front and will always after about 5 mins start reaching in my pocket for biscuits/rice cakes/crisps just because he's used to it.
I started giving him a rice cake or 2 about 3 months ago to keep him occupied but it's just escalated and now he expects it.
If I give him something to hold he throws it on the floor after 15 secs. That used to work before food.

I've tried to distract him (spinning trolley around, going fast through isles, making funny noises) but don't always work and won't do forever, so I give in, otherwise he starts playing up and whinging.

Anything else I could try? I work when he's at nursery so not an option.
I really don't want him to be a child that gets his own way all the time just because he cries for it.

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caughtinanet · 27/02/2011 09:12

I don't think there is an answer - you either rush round and ignore the noise, shop when he's in bed if you have someone at home or use online shopping - the 3rd one works best for me.

winnybella · 27/02/2011 09:26

Tbh I don't think it's such a big deal. I shop (obv) between DD's meals and so will gladly give her a healthy snack so I can have some peace. Actually, now that she's 2, she'll walk around with me if I do a quick shop and snacks are not necessary anymore as she likes to 'help' me out.

I wouldn't stress, as long as it's not a Mars bar you're giving him.

AllSheepareWhite · 27/02/2011 09:27

One rice cake won't hurt if that works. So long as you are consistent and do not let him get his way every time (other than during shop) giving a rice cake to keep him quiet won't make him a spoilt child. If you want to lay down the law a bit let him cry and when he stops offer the rice cake so he knows that if he acts out he won't get it. We do most shopping for heavy stuff online, if DH (SAHD) needs to do smaller shop for fresh stuff he takes reins so that DD (now 20 months but was walking well at 14 months so have done this since then) can walk for part of the shop. If we are together we do the same for the whole shop. If you want to get rid of snacks altogther I guess you could try a toy or buggy steering wheel attached to trolley, DD pretends it is a car without, but if it helps you get through a shop it might be worth a try.

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Tupperwarewolf · 27/02/2011 12:26

I don't think a rice cake while shopping will make him think he's going to get his own way all the time :)

I used to the same with DD - take a series of snacks (you obviously shop faster than me, or your DS eats more slowly!). Could you go at lunchtime and give him his lunch in the trolley?

These days I opt for the shopping while DD is in bed while DH is home option

nannyl · 27/02/2011 12:47

internet shopping

or accept that he will eat a few rice cakes while shopping (really not the end of the world)

Tupperwarewolf · 27/02/2011 13:15

Is internet shopping really any good? I am always worried that they'll give me the things that are about to go out of date or not the best fruit and veg, whereas I like to rummage for long expiry dates etc.

catinthehat2 · 27/02/2011 13:20

When did people decide to become childrens' entertainers, rather than parents?
So "spinning trolley around, going fast through isles, making funny noises" approach was never going to be sustainable. Sounds humiliating tbh.

You are there to get food for the family & so is he, so he needs to join in and be encouraged to do so. That's fun enough for most toddlers if you genuinely engaged the guy. He can hold tins, help you get stuff off shelves, choose fruit & veg - tell hime he's 14 months! wow! and he will be great at helping out. Show him stuff & chat to him, point out the people, the decorations, the fish/meat counter. Get him to unload at the till. Heck it's a whole world in a supermarket. He's going to get more attention than anyone could possibly crave at the shops.

MmeLindt · 27/02/2011 13:25

Give him a rice cake.

Or internet shopping.

It is not about him getting his own way. He is bored and it keeps him occupied.

Don't start a battle about something so unimportant - you will have other battles ahead that you cannot give in on.

Tupperwarewolf · 27/02/2011 14:32

I'd rather have an entertained toddler than one who is screaming, clinging on to me and trying to climb out of the trolley, which is my personal alternative :) DD is more than happy to help - in fact she would love to check every single item of shopping before it goes in the trolley - but firstly being dropped into the trolley from a height of 2 ft doesn't do most of it any good and secondly it is too annoying/expensive when I find a fortnight later that she has eg gnawed her way into a sealed packet of paneer and the whole thing has gone rancid before we ever got to use it. Rice cakes/lone shopping every time!

geordieminx · 27/02/2011 14:37

I always used to take a picnic for ds when he was this age, raisins, rice cakes, cucumber, tube of yoghurt, apple, quavers whatever.

If it keeps him occupied thus enabling me to get the shopping in relative peace then it's a no brainer.

FWIW giving snacks infinitely better than spinning the trolley round and looking like a loon

freckleye · 27/02/2011 15:27

I have to go with the internet shopping option! I do a 'big' food shop every fortnight (and have done for 5 plus years) and 'top' up with a 30 min supermarket dash the week inbetween....Freeze bread, milk, anything you can fit in the freezer to reduce time needed to be spent in supermarket! (I have 2 DC's under 4)

If you don't fancy the online idea (try it you'll be a convery!) then I would suggest going when someone can take care of her (takes a fraction of the time) or putting up with a snackathon til you checkout! My eldest DS (3.5) pushes his ELC trolley round which keeps him fully entertained but I think your DD is too young yet for this!

Good luck and happy shopping!

freckleye · 27/02/2011 15:28

* convert *

Original poster

sparkleshine · 27/02/2011 21:38

Thanks ladies.

I know giving snacks isn't that big of an issue short term. I figured I was the only one and felt I was spoiling him somehow, and sort of embarrassed that I can't keep my child quiet for a while so have to shut him up by feeding him IYKWIM.

So I guess it's pretty normal then. Feel better now. Sometimes just needed reassurance.

Used to do Internet shopping when DS was newborn. Loved it then but this way it also gets us out of the house.

He's only just started walking properly so too much at the moment to walk him around, though maybe getting him out for a few minutes at a time would help keep him from boredem.

Thanks.

OP posts:

cybilliberty · 27/02/2011 21:39

One of those 3 foot long baguettes used top keep my lot quiet in the trolley for AGES

littletreesmum · 28/02/2011 17:22

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rickymummy · 28/02/2011 17:38

I've got one child who has always HATED shopping (full blown tantrums, trying to climb out of trolley - well behaved normally, but just couldn't stand shops). I gave up, and either went in the evening, or internet shopping.

DS2 LOVES shops. He is four now, and could actually manage the whole week's shop if I let him. I think i just involved him a lot - told him before what we were buying, gave him a couple of things to look out for, let him put things in the trolley.

Rice cakes won't hurt at all in the meantime. x

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 28/02/2011 17:43

Shop online, it saves so much hassle.

When DS and I do go to the supermarket, we chat, I ask him to help me remember what we've come for, and I very often buy him a gingerbread man or an apple to eat as we go round.

But at 14 months of course he is bored, so just do whatever it takes to keep him happy and amused throughout!

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