As children grow up and go through different phases, we parents have to adjust our approach to just about everything. Read on to see how I’ve simplified shopping with kids, while encouraging them to be independent with this simple trick and a little planning, with help from our sponsor, Stonyfield® Organic YoKids®.
When we had our first son, going out was so intimidating. Packing the diaper bag, leaving right after a feeding and between naps…it was pretty stressful. Then they hit that toddler stage which is pretty fun because they aren’t so demanding. And I don’t know if it’s just my kids or what, but when I am alone and have to go to the store or run errands, they immediately get “hangry” the moment my foot steps inside the store. Why is that? I spend so much time making sure they have had breakfast but suddenly they are just SO hungry!
Admittedly, I used to be the mom that would grab a box of crackers off the shelf and open it before buying it, just so my kids would let me shop in peace. And yes, I’ve also let them sneak strawberries out of the carton to munch on during our trip…before they were washed. Yes, I know! That’s not good!
How do you simplify shopping with kids?
So somehow, after having three kids, I finally had a good idea to get us through errands and shopping trips without them starving and without me pulling things we hadn’t bought off of the shelf so I could shop. Yes, I’m embarrassed that it took me 8 years to think of this.
So, what do I do? While I am getting ready to leave, I tell the boys to pack a snack. Even the youngest can do this! Pack a water for themselves, a snack or two, and the only stipulation is that it has to be something of nutritional value. For example, they can’t grab a handful of gum and throw it in their bag. (Believe me, they totally would!) I’ve taught them that snacks with protein will get them through the day, and I’m happy that they have finally picked up on my words of wisdom!
I always try to have the essentials on hand so they can just grab and go. It doesn’t take long and they can pack a good snack in a matter of minutes, which helps me out because I don’t have to pack snacks that they may not like and for all three of them!
My boys love yogurt, so I always try to have a good supply on hand for lunch boxes and also shopping trip snacks! Stonyfield® Organic YoKids® yogurts are a great choice for kids. They are portable and low-fat, and all Non GMO Project Verified, which is very impressive and important to me. They have no high fructose corn syrup and 25-40% less sugar than the leading kids yogurt. (YoKids cups, smoothies, and Squeezers; pouches will be available with up to 35% less sugar than the leading kids’ yogurt starting December ’17).
Why organic?
Why is it important to feed kids organic yogurt? Stonyfield® Organic YoKids® yogurts are always made without the use of toxic persistent pesticides, artificial hormones, antibiotics and GMOs. Of course my kids don’t care about all of that, they care about the taste and these yogurts are always delicious and always a top choice!
Stonyfield® Organic YoKids® yogurts are great for any kind of trip. We have taken them on road trips, overnight trips to the grandparents’ house, to soccer games, and more. They are the #1 organic kids yogurt brand and it’s clear why.
Stonyfield® Organic YoKids® yogurt is a certified B Corp, which means it’s a company that meets the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability. As a B Corp™, they have goals to use the power of markets to solve social and environmental problems. This means a lot to me and is something I can discuss with my kids and teach them about their place in the world and that what we do can make a huge difference.
After we are at the store and they have devoured their snacks, they are then ready to help tackle the shopping list with me. The two older ones can read a list, one can push the cart if need be, and the little guy can put things in the cart. There is no whining because everyone has a job and a full belly. Shopping trips are much more peaceful now!
How do you make shopping trips and errands with kids more peaceful?
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Stonyfield® Organic YoKids®.
