Growing Up in the Grocery Store

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When my twins were first born, I took them on most errands with me. I know most mothers love to run errands without their children, but I preferred to use my child-free time in less productive ways (i.e. sitting by myself in a restaurant, my car, the backyard) so I just brought them along. It also broke up the monotony of those long infant days. Things didn’t change much when number 3 joined the crew: we just had another “adventure” buddy.

woman grocery shopping

Since my kids have gone to the grocery store with me on the “reg” since they were about two months old, they can’t imagine missing out. Now ages seven and five, they’re actually a little put out if circumstances arise and I go without them.  I love how much they love the grocery store. Even though it is faster (and infinitely more peaceful) when they’re not there, I really enjoy it when they are. After all, there is so much to be learned at a grocery store:

1. Picking out produce: I love the produce section. When the boys were younger, we learned our colors, practiced counting, and explored the texture of different fruits and vegetables. As they’ve grown up, the boys have discovered new fruits and vegetables to try and have even learned how to pick out the best produce. Nowadays, we walk into the section, and I simply stand in one spot and hand out bags and assignments:

  • Go get three green peppers; remember to look for the smooth ones!
  • We need two bunches of cilantro. If you’re not sure, which it is, smell it first.
  • Six bananas please, with just a little green.

We’re definitely still learning, but they’re pretty good at making selections and they love the independence. 

 

2. Budgeting: I go to the grocery store every other week, with a list in hand that I’ve made after deciding on meals for the next two weeks. I also have a general budget and while I am fairly careful with my language, the boys are well aware that there are choices to be made when it comes to price. They’re old enough now to read labels and price tags and love to find coupons. We have discussed why some brands are more expensive than others, if we should change a meal plan because something different is on sale, and how to use coupons to help us save money, rather than spend it. They understand the value of a list and planning in advance to be good stewards of our money — important life lessons all around.

3. Restraint: Our kids love to eat, so it’s natural they keep their eyes peeled for delicious treats while at the store. When they spy their own faves and want to add them to the cart, there’s always a teaching moment. It seems like every week we have some iteration of a conversation about just because we want something or like something, doesn’t mean we should get it (at least not every trip).

4. People Skills: From the clerks to other customers, any grocery store has lots of people with whom to practice our polite conversation. The boys routinely answer questions from other shoppers, as well as greeting people, and saying “excuse me” a few hundred times. We also take the opportunity to be aware of our surroundings and try our best to help people and stay out of their way. It’s a work in progress, and opportunities to practice aren’t to be turned down.

Every day I do my best to simultaneously help my kids grow up to be self-sufficient individuals, encourage them to enjoy their childhood, and to simply be in the moment of and spend quality time with them. Strange as it may seem, a necessary trip to the grocery store allows me to do all of those things at once, and that’s significantly more than anything Amazon could deliver or Wal-Mart could bring to my car. 

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