Watch KatieMumsnet discussing keeping your LOs entertained at the supermarket on Shop Talk and see if your top tips were used NOW CLOSED

[KatieBMumsnet]

Last week MNers shared their top tips on keeping your LOs onside whilst doing the supermarket shop - thank you for all your comments. Watch Shop Talk now to see if your top tips made it on the show!

Barclaycard Freedom Rewards, in association with Mumsnet, have created a new weekly online chat show: Shop Talk. Over the next few weeks, they'll be looking for MNers' shopping tips and tricks on a range of topics.

Heres what Barclaycard have to say about the show: "Shop Talk is a weekly chat show where we tackle the big shopping stories that you're talking about. A different presenter will host the show each week and first up was Andrea McLean.
Two panellists, including shopping blogger Emily and Katie from MNHQ join Andrea to discuss keeping the kids on side during your supermarket shop as well as making the most of those family days in during half term."

With regards to the Barclaycard Freedom Rewards credit card, Barclaycard say:
"Supercharge your every day shop with the Barclaycard Freedom Rewards credit card. Not only can you earn double Freedom Reward points at any UK supermarket or petrol station, you can also use it with the rewards card you already have to earn points. So you dont have to change the way you shop.
18.9% APR Representative (Variable)"

Next week's Shop Talk, hosted by Julia Bradbury, discusses reaping the rewards from everyday shopping and Barclaycard would love to hear your thoughts. What you would buy if you had an extra £50 on your reward cards? Would this differ to what you would buy with £50 cash? Share your comments on the thread here and you could win a £150 Champneys voucher.

Thanks,

MNHQ

[whathappenedlastnight]

Supermarket bingo, we make a list of things such as;

An abandoned trolley
A child having a tantrum
A trolley with a wobbly wheel
etc

It is a much shorter game on the run up to Christmas though and we had a full house by isle 3 last year.

[whathappenedlastnight]

*aisle 3

[Bubbles85]

Oh definitely and taking them on the shop in the first place. But for when this isn't an option, taking a book for them to read seems to work quite well. As does involving them in some of the decision making over which packet to buy etc.

[Elainey1609]

I must admit mine are very good doing the shopping.
they normally have a little argument to start about who is to push trolley but they take it in turns so it is normally resolved quickly.
We have a shopping list my one then a liitle one for them with small things on like bananas and easy to recognise things so they can cross them off.
It seems to work however so does bribery...they get a pound to put in there money box if they behave to buy a toy with lol

[NicNak71]

We play "The first person to spot" game - a bit like eye spy only with specific products rather than just saying something beginning with. They also get to put the shopping into the trolley and choose their own juice, snacks etc. We always stop at the toys for a little while too and then once the shopping is done we go to the cafe for a drink and a bun.
It seems to work as we can usually go to the supermarket pretty stress free. The car park causes me more stress than my children!

[BlackeyedSusan]

i go all joyce grenville "don't do that dear" at least it entertains the other shoppers!

ds gets to choose a cheap £1 toy to keep him amused if we have to do a big shop. sometimes he helps to choose things, sometimes to push the trolley, sometimes he sleeps in the bottom of the trolley sometimes he builds elaborate constructions around himself with the shopping. sometimes he is carried around the shop. we stop and let him do circuits around the pillars as well.

I try to be as quick as possible, stock up before the summer holidays and just top up but it is not always possible as I have my mums shopping to do too.

we will stop, hug (deep pressure) and rock sometimes to ease the stress for him. occasionally there is an asd meltdown, during which I become selectively deaf/blind and completely ignore the kicking and screaming happening under one arm and carry on as normal (as is possible one handed) sunglasses seem to cut down the glare.

[supermariossister]

we normally buy something small like a magazine or pcoket money toy that he knows he wont get if he is a pain, but then he is old enough to reason with! when he was younger he used to like to throw things into the trolley for me. it was never very organised but it kept him entertained.

[IncaAztec]

What are your top tips for keeping your DCs entertained around the supermarket?

Mine is to have something specific for my toddler to shop for, this week a 'mini-mouse potty' is on the agenda. She looks for it in every shop we go into (i know which shop it is actually available in). Prevents boredom!

Do you promise a reward if they behave?

Most of the time, yes.

Or ask them to get involved in finding particular items?

As above!

Perhaps you take a book or toy for them to play with?

She would just throw a book or toy out of the trolley!

Or maybe you’re yet to master this and dread each trip to the supermarket?

I am dreading taking two, but I am sure we will crack it.

Is it possible to have a stress free trip to the supermarket?

No, online is the best way to shop!

[BadlyWrittenPoem]

Currently I'm only physically capable of online shopping but what I usually do is involve them in the shopping. When very small this tends to be just talking to them and maybe giving them a suitable item to hold/play with while they sit in the trolley and then as they get older they are able to help get things off the shelf and find what we need. Or DD1's favourite thing is pushing the trolley although it can be a bit hazardous for other customers at times so I have to make sure I have strict rules about trolley pushing!

[LonelyGoatherd]

We go to a supermarket with a cafe - huge treat and it also fuels the DC so they're not too hungry/tired to shop.
We keep it as short as possible (long list split in 2 - we each take one DC and one half of the list). The baby tends to be happy just looking around; the toddler demands JOBS and is entertained by putting things in the trolley and again onto the conveyor belt.

[JazzAnnNonMouse]

Just involve them 'can you see the oranges? Let's put them in the bag- we need three'
Etc etc

[sealight123]

Like most families, I keep my daughter occupied whilst shopping by letting her get involved. I let her choose foods for herself (in reason....she wouldn't be allowed 20 bags of sweets) like what fruits she would like and what 'special' tea she would like (it is usually lasagna haha). She also likes to count what's in the trolley and tell me what colour everything is :)

[Scarlettsstars]

One word....
Ocado.

Life, and my fraying patience is too short otherwise

[RedBushedT]

Dear me... just tried to watch the Shop Talk video. does the music have to be so loud? Struggled to hear the actual content!

[KatieBMumsnet]

Thanks for all your comments - we hope you enjoyed the first episode of Shop Talk.

The winner of the prize draw is...

MrsPnut

Congratulations, I'll PM you for your details.

[MrsPnut]

Thank you, very surprised because I never win anything. I've replied to your PM and I shall start planning what I'm going to buy. I'm ripping out my kitchen today so could buy new stuff for that!