Misbehavior In The Supermarket

Toddlers can learn a lot by going shopping with you. They can also get into trouble at the supermarket, so here are some tips.

• First, to prevent grabbing food off the shelves, distract your child. On arrival, give her a snack such as animal crackers. Keep her sitting in the grocery cart seat and hand her foods to place in the basket. Talk with your child as you shop so that she feels involved.

• Second, for having a temper tantrum when told she can’t have a toy or candy, remain firm. If your child is having a tantrum in a safe place, walk on and she’ll probably stand up and follow you. If your child is near breakable objects or is a reckless child, put her in the grocery cart or take her outside for a time out.

• Third, for running off, put your child in the grocery cart for three minutes. When you let her out, give her something to do this time, like helping you push the cart.

• Finally, if you child constantly misbehaves at the store, leave her with a sitter next time you go, but be sure to tell her that you’re going shopping. Don’t take her again until she promises to stay with you and not to touch anything without asking first.

During Dr. Schmitt’s 20 years as a medical practitioner and researcher, he has published over 100 articles or chapters on pediatric health care, and has been awarded the distinguished C. Anderson Aldrich Award by the American Academy of Pediatrics for outstanding contributions to the field of child development. Schmitt has also authored five books including Your Child’s Health, which won Child Magazine’s first Hall of Fame Award in 1991. Schmitt is also a professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and on staff at The Children’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado.