Children in the Grocery

Discuss rules before entering the store. Let the child know, "No junk foods. When we leave, you can select a package of gum if you remember the rules."

Role play the shopping experience ahead of time at home with the child. Let him know what you expect. Have fun. Laugh. See what his/her suggestions would be if you were to misbehave.

Develop some "sign language" at home with the child -- signals that mean, "Stop," "Come here," "Be careful." Use them in public.

At the Store:

1. Make a game of it. Who can see the potatoes first? Do you remember what animal bacon comes from? If your child is old enough, let him check the grocery list, see which fruit, cheese, etc. is the best bargain.
2. Count how many steps it takes to get from the Cheerios to the Frosted Flakes.
3. Discuss the pictures on the package -- what could you make with this, etc.
4. Play a game with the child. ("Let's count all the tennis shoes we see on people's feet" or "let's see how many B's you can find on signs.")
5. Play "I see something" in the checkout lane and have the children guess what you see.
6. Reward good behavior. Promise to play a game with or read to the child when you get home.
7. Choose "non-candy" checkout lanes, especially when shopping with young children.

If All Else Fails:

1. Ignore inappropriate behavior unless it is dangerous, destructive or embarrassing to you or a bother to others.
2. If your child gets out of control or embarrasses you, stop, pick him or her up (or take them by the hand), and take him out of the store, or to the restroom (to a private place), talk to them quietly, eye-to-eye, and tell him that this behavior is totally inappropriate. If necessary, put him in the back seat of the car and you stay beside the car or sit in the front seat -- saying nothing else. Wait for them to calm down -- no matter how long it takes. Then ask them if they are ready to try again. (If they do not calm down, take them home. Find a sitter. Leave them there while you return.)