Comments on: What Was I Thinking?

By: Allison

Allison — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 18:25:48 +0000

Mostly, I do my shopping on the Internet. God bless FreshDirect.
Allison´s last blog ..The Two at Two

By: Kathy

Kathy — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 02:02:24 +0000

What worked at that age with Chris (singleton) was the grocery cart with a car in front. The cart itself is huge and ungainly, the basket was smaller than a normal cart, but Chris was happy and I got my shopping done. Now that I have my twins (17 mos), Chris goes in the car, the twins are in the seat of the cart. When they are older, they will go into the car, and Chris will have to walk. Funny thing…Chris WOULD have walked by my side at that age.

By: Estraven

Estraven — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:03:03 +0000

I used to do the big shopping alone (or with my daughter) on Sunday morning. The smaller, everyday shopping (fresh bread, extra fruit, forgotten stuff) I did with any number of children… because I live in a smallish European town, so I can go to very small stores where the owner just serves me while I tell her what I want.

I started bringing the twins along shopping on Sundays when they were about 3, first separately then together. They would walk with me for a while, usually a short while, and then go wait for me sitting on the floor and perusing children’s books (which I often bought them).

Now that they’re 7 they usually prefer to stay home and read (sometimes alone with their 10-yr-old sister) but occasionally they come with me and they’re really helpful. One of the them is especially good at it, and he can put away most of the groceries by himself when we get home. I didn’t teach him, he just looked at me and learned.

There’s a very brilliant light at the end of the twin toddler tunnel.

By: Merri Ann

Merri Ann — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:55:30 +0000

I’ve always shopped with my three. When my twins were born my oldest was 15 months. I pulled the double stroller behind me and pushed the cart with my 15 month old.

Then I reversed it and pushed the double stroller and pulled the cart.

Now they are 4, 3, and 3 and we only shop where they have carts where two or more can sit and they take turns sitting with one always walking.

My tips are …

1. Go early and give them breakfast while you shop … I give them milk in a sippy cup and cereal with raisins in a ziplock bag … they get to pick the cereal and it keeps them happy.

2. Going early allows everyone to be fresh and not over tired and in the event of a total meltdown there are not many other shoppers )

3. Know that some trips are not going to go well … but be persistent.
Merri Ann´s last blog ..The Boy …

By: Ellen K.

Ellen K. — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 23:35:21 +0000

I go to the grocery store alone, often while a babysitter is here or first thing on weekend mornings, or DH goes by himself. We don’t have large cars, so there is not enough room for a stroller plus groceries plus two toddlers (16mo) and their seats. And my Maclaren side-by-side stroller has the tiniest baskets imaginable. A couple of times DH and I have taken the girls to the grocery store, but DH and I have different shopping styles… he browses and goes down every aisle, whereas my list is precisely in order of the store layout and I am rather proud of that! So it’s easier and more efficient for just one of us to go to the store.

I’ve used online ordering and delivery a few times. It was very helpful, esp. for buying large items like frozen pizzas, multiple gallons of milk, a case of beer, etc.

By: Rusted Sun

Rusted Sun — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 08:49:01 +0000

My toddlers (22 months) actually like grocery shopping. We almost always go to the stores with double carts, when we don’t I put both kids in one seat with both their legs through one hole (thankfully my twins are pretty small still, we don’t have much time left for this). When they can’t both fit in the seat I keep put on kid in the cart and I pull out a scarf that I keep in my purse and use it like a seat belt. This keeps the child safe and lets me get things done.

I try to talk to the kids a lot while we are shopping. I point to food and ask them what it is, we say hello to the grandmas and babies. Sometimes I will let them get samples of food, but I have also realized that if they always get food or snacks when in the store they won’t be happy without them, so I try to avoid giving them treats at the store.

When the babies were little we used our stroller as a cart. We had a double snap-and-go (a must for new twin moms) and it had quite a large basket.

Don’t be afraid of the grocery store, children will get used to what you set as your expectation.
Rusted Sun´s last blog ..national children’s day

By: Inna

Inna — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:48:04 +0000

I do grocery shopping online. Not sure what area you are in but I use peapod.com. They usually deliver next day. It takes me 15 minutes to buy all of our staples – beats going to the grocery store with three under two. Yes, it is a little more expensive but I actually think I save money because I buy exactly what we need and how much we need. In an actual store I tend to get “inspired” and buy extra things that we may not even end up using. Also, the online site keeps a list of things I normally buy so I just enter the quantity. It makes it easier to stick to the list and not forget things. Lastly, if I do forget something, I can still add it to the order until midnight even after I have checked out – beats running back to the store. Regarding quality – especially on produce – it’s not bad as less people actually touch it before it gets to my house.

About every other weekend, my husband and I and the kids go to Costco and buy all the other things that are not great quality or too expensive at Peapod – some produce, meat, paper towels, etc.

By: Leigh from 123 blog

Leigh from 123 blog — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:58:53 +0000

LOL I can just picture it!

I delegate the grocery shopping to my husband – there’s an added bonus. He actually only buys what’s on the list!

He’s just informed me that I need to do it sometimes since I’m “too fussy” with the babies’ food

The other one stays home with the babies because I think it would take about 3 times as long if they were with the shopping parent.
Leigh from 123 blog´s last blog ..29 gifts & gift-giving

By: Kristin from Intrepid Murmurings

Kristin from Intrepid Murmurings — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:14:02 +0000

I used to mostly do shopping using the stroller (no cart), and big shops on the weekends when the girls were at home with dad. We did a lot of grocery delivery too — we are lucky to be in an area with somewhat affordable delivery. I have always gotten milk/dairy delivered and a fruit/veggie CSA box, and that helps cut down on how much and often I need to shop.

Now, I still sometimes shop without them, but also do a fair bit with them in the double seater carts. With those my 3 year old walks, though several of our stores have ones with seats for 3 or 4 kids (two below in the car, two above in the seat) so we do that if possible. I do have to rotate who is in the car mid shop, though!

Occasionally, very occasionally, if there is only a one seater cart I let one of my twins walk (21 months now) but I mostly have them “help me push” the cart and that keeps them close and busy. Doesn’t work for long, though. I rotate when they get bored and try to go as FAST as possible — not my favorite way to shop!

Snacks do help a lot, too!
Kristin from Intrepid Murmurings´s last blog ..Toddler Activity Bags: Playmat fun!

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:58:29 +0000

Oh dear. You violated my rule of NEVER LET THE CHILD OUT OF THE CART. It’s a big rule, and mine are a year older than yours (almost 3).

Unless I’m just running in for a few things, in which case I go to a place with a double cart, we do it on the weekends. We each get a kid and a cart and half the grocery list—done in half the time and it’s fun 1:1 time. Or, I stay home with one kid and Seth takes the other to the store with him. Again, easy and 1:1 time too. If that doesn’t work, then Peapod or Roche brothers delivery.