Shopping with kids...

I find it very stressful to go shopping with three kids and for the most part avoid it at all costs! My husband seems to think that I overreact and that the kids are just being kids, but I don't think he has ever been shopping on his own with all three, he's only had all three, when I've been with him too, for back-up or moral support, chasing or whatever else was needed.

The usual scenario goes something like this...as we enter the store I clearly explain my expectations and requirements, that the children stay close to the cart at all times, with no running or shouting. Of course my two year old within moments has usually spied something she would like a closer look at, or has just got bored or antsy and before I know it has taken off, squealing in delight. I try to say as loudly as possible, without shouting "Bryttain, come back here please" and normally have to repeat it a number of times, with little to no success, before Arran decides to help by running after her to tell her to come back, which she takes as him initiating a game of chase! Whatever was on my list to shop for has long since vanished from my mind as I, in increasing frustration join the game of chase.

Sometimes there will be one of the larger carts available, that hold more than one child, but the problem with these is that they are 30ft long (I only exaggerate slightly) and manoeuvring them requires a whole new class of driving license and skill. Once said children have decided to vacate the cart things become worse as the weighting is thrown off-kilter and somehow things spiral further downwards.

Anyway, yesterday we actually did pretty well, probably because the two older children had the added incentive of being purchased a magnifying glass each (so beautifully modelled in the photo above). Although we did have the significant added problem that the baby seat did not have a strap(!) which meant that I was constantly having to place baby back on her bottom. Fortunately it was not a long shopping list, which also proved to be most helpful.

On our way home Arran told me he "couldn't wait to get home to see the potty", when I inquired as to why? He told me that he would be able "to see the germs" (which I've drummed into them reside on toilets and in bathrooms) with his magnifying glass. I had to explain that his x2 magnifying glass wouldn't show them as they're too small. They still had a lot of fun looking at everything else in sight through them...such simple pleasures!