By Sittie Cates

Shopping with toddlers? Picture this: Your nerves are frazzled. You forgot to fix your hair. Your socks (or your child's socks) don’t match because you were in a rush this morning to get to the store.

To top it off, your child is getting antsy, and you know that soon your child will throw a possible fit while you try so hard to make sure that you get everything in the cart in a jiffy so you can head off for home before this nightmare grows into a total thriller (and the store manager might not give you another chance to shop in that store again).

Is this scene familiar to you? We bet it is.

Oh, why is it that there are times when shopping days end up in a complete frenzy? How can you possibly smoothen out the hassles of the day, and be able to come home with a satisfied smile on your face and a happy toddler by your side?

 Below are some tips that can make these things easier for you to handle.

 * Stop at a favorite spot.

Offer a short stop at a favorite place before or after shopping. Say this in advance so that your toddler can look forward to it.

For suggestions, two favorite spots may include a bookstore (where your child can enjoy a picture book or two with you reading it to your child) or the toy department (where your child is allowed to play with different toys like the Kidkraft kitchen).

 * Make sure you both had a bite to eat before shopping.

When you're hungry, you may not be at your best attitude. When your child is hungry, what do you think will happen?

Crying jags, restlessness, inability to sit still, and others – these are some of the effects that you’ll have to bear if you managed to bring a hungry child to the store.

The solution? Food.

Feed your child before you leave home, and make sure that you bring a few nibbles with you for your child to munch on in case your child feels the need for a bite while in the store.

* Is it naptime yet?

Sleepiness usually makes your child impatient. So, allow your child to rest. And, when your child wakes up, feed your toddler a quick snack before you go shopping.

* Make shopping time be like playtime for your child.

Another thing you can do is to spice up your shopping time with a few tricks. Try bringing a dummy shopping list that your child can use and let your child hold a few things that you will place in the cart. This will make your child feel involved in what you are doing and will be more likely to show enthusiasm.

Shopping can either be a pleasure or a nightmare for you and your child. But, if you keep these tips in mind, you’ll see that it's not that hard after all to shop with a toddler.

For more tips and info from Sittie about KidKraft Large Kitchen, check out http://www.thekidstoystore.com/toykitchen.html.

child, Kidkraft, Kidkraft kitchen, shopping, toddlers