Tantrums In The Super Market

The only sure way to avoid trouble with kids in the supermarket is to simply leave the kids home with the other parent or even a sitter. I know parents who say they can save a sitter's fee by shopping carefully without interference or distraction of children.

• If you must take a child or more than one, do some preparing first. Don't take a hungry child; shop right after a meal if possible.

• Verbalize your shopping rules. If you're not buying sugary cereals, say so. If you'll buy a child just one of those wonderful, tempting items that stores display just at child height, make that clear too.

• Explain that just because something's advertised on TV is not a reason for making a purchase.

• Give a child in a cart something to eat or to play with; you can bring your own sugarless treats with you into the store or tie a toy to the handle of the cart.

• But if nothing works, and your child does throw a full scale tantrum in the middle of the produce aisle or at the check out counter, depart as fast as you possibly can, grit your teeth, and keep repeating to yourself, "this too shall pass," and it usually does.

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