Grocery Shopping Survival with a Toddler | 32 Week Update

This title is a bit misleading. Grocery shopping isn't usually a matter of survival with our toddler.

This week on One Year and Beyond, we are sharing the ways we keep our toddlers occupied while grocery shopping. Shopping with E is enjoyable 98% of the time. My goal in the below strategies is to prevent the 2% chance of him morphing into an absolute grocery store terror.

(Keep in mind, these strategies are geared towards parents shopping with ONE toddler. If you have more than one, I've got nothing. Haven't been there, haven't done that.)

My Toddler Grocery Shopping Strategies

  • Take the cart. Even if you need only one item... take the cart. Every time I grab the basket instead, I end up waddling around with a toddler in one arm and basket in the other.
  • Involve them in the process. Talk your toddler through the grocery list. Ask them to help looking for items. They may be small, but toddlers are people too!
  • Let your toddler walk or push the cart. If you're feeling brave and have the extra energy to find an AWOL child, that is. 
  • Bring a snack and drink. A snack and a sippy cup of "moo" save the day for us and keep E from wanting to sample whatever groceries I'm buying.
  • Avoid shopping when toddler is overly tired or hungry. Exhausted + hungry = grocery store meltdown. If you need to shop when child is exhausted, at least bring some fruit snacks!
  • Stay off the phone. Personally, it bugs me if I'm with someone and they talk or play on their phone the entire time. A quick phone call or text is fine, but I do my best to stay off the phone out of respect for the little person I'm with. 
  • Enjoy the process. Yes, try to enjoy grocery shopping. Rather than it being an annoying chore to do, think of grocery shopping as spending quality time with your child. It's an adventure to them!
  • When a meltdown does occur, try to ride it out. If E starts to throw a fit, I ask him what he needs and, if he's totally unconsolable, I just keep on shopping. Eventually he forgets why he's crying and calms down. Sorry to all the other shoppers, it's either that or ditch my groceries. Giving into his tantrums will just make it 10 times worse next time!

On our last shopping expedition, we made a special stop at the baby clothes. I have resisted the temptation to buy new clothes for baby (not knowing the gender helps) but it's still fun to browse!

We asked E if he's having a baby sister or baby brother:


E's toddler-senses predict that baby is a girl! Guess we'll find out in 8 weeks or so!


Baby #2: 32 Weeks



Baby's Size: Squash, average fetus size: 15.2 to 16.7 in, 2.5 to 3.8 lbs.

Cravings: Sourdough waffles, sausage and eggs with biscuits and gravy AND Cadberry cream-filled eggs. Not exactly a healthy choice but at least they are seasonal!


Aversions: Heartburn.

I'm Feeling: Excited, slightly overwhelmed and impatient. I'm ready for our baby to be here yet I know he or she needs to stay put for at least 5 more weeks! I don't feel as big as I look... until I eat. My stomach doesn't have much space these days. Morning sickness-like symptoms came back to me around 30 weeks and I have them in the mornings on and off now - just the nausea, dizzy sort of thing,

Sleep: I'm feeling really tired lately, especially from after lunch to bed-time. I sleep like a rock minus at least two trips to the bathroom per night.

Weight: Up 19 lbs from pre-pregnancy weight.

My Prayer for Baby: "Lord, I pray that You guide my family and me to peace in all situations. As we make important decisions for our family, I pray that You give us wisdom and peace as we follow in Your will. Thank You for this pregnancy and our family. Guide us in Your will everyday and help us to follow the way You want us to raise our children - not how the world tells us to raise them.  Amen. "
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Last Week's Workouts: I'm feeling more tired this week and am cutting back on the miles. Hoping the weather warms up so I can run outside with the stroller again!
Monday: 3 treadmill miles, 10:16/mile.
Tuesday: 2 treadmill miles, 10:20/mile. Feeling extra tired today!
Wednesday: Strength Training
Thursday: 4.05 miles with the stroller & dog, 10:54/mile. Sunshine!!!
Friday: My body said REST today!
Saturday: 2.07 miles, 10:50/mile. Feeling super pregnant lately.
Total Mileage: 11.12 miles
.....

Thank you to Host Heather Leigh and Co-Hosts Ally, Faith, Our Family Grace, and Hannah for organizing the One Year and Beyond link-up.

One Year and Beyond Topics:
April 2 // Spring activities and craft ideas for toddlers.
April 9 // How you keep your toddler occupied while grocery shopping.
April 15 // Potty Training.
April 22 // Favorite Spring activities.
April 29 // Clothes shopping for your toddler. (Deals, where to shop, saving money, etc.)

What are your best grocery shopping strategies?
Have any tips to share on shopping with a toddler and a newborn?!

Comments

  1. Ahh Eli predicts girl - I'm going with him on that! :) So excited either way!
    I love your adventures in the grocery store - sweet way to think of it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same here!!! We are getting more and more excited as the weeks go by!

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  2. Baby carrier really helped me with toddler and newborn. And yes, it is possible to use the bathroom with the baby and baby carrier on. A little tricky but it can be done 😉

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha! I attempt a bathroom trip with E in the Boba carrier (because I was too lazy to take him out) and it went okay. Definitely tricky but it will be something I need to master with another baby in tow :) I'm hoping E will step up to be a big brother helper for me!

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  3. Awww Love your pregnancy update! What a treat. So I'm assuming you're waiting until birth to find out whether or not the baby is a he or she?

    LOVE your shopping advice. The take the cart one is soooo true. Lesson learned the hard way. Boy my arms hurt afterwards. ;0)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, we're waiting to find out! I have definitely learned that cart lesson a few times... I always think, "oh I only need one thing, this will be fast" but it rarely works out that way!

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  4. I am going with a girl too! You look fantastic! Gee, I remember the days of grocery shopping with the kids, at the end of the trip I wanted to throw the tantrum- LOL!

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    Replies
    1. Haha there are some days I want to do the same! Shopping in a busy store stresses me out even if E is being a complete angel. Add a busy store AND a cranky toddler together and mom will be having a meltdown, too :)

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  5. Looking good! I love that Eli predicts a girl!! Keenan predicted he aws having a sister and sure enough, he was right!

    Going to the grocery store with two kids in tow is always an adventure at our house! :)

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    Replies
    1. That's impressive that Keenan predicted that he was having a baby sister! Must be those toddler-senses :)

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  6. Ha! Grocery shopping is such an adventure these days :)

    I love your prayer - that's so sweet and perfect. I always bring tons of snacks too

    Also, love the gender prediction. LJ says boy - so we'll see. So soon for both of us :)

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    Replies
    1. Oh I'm definitely looking forward to finding out what both of us are having!

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