One thing we cannot pass up is a target shopping run! I mean who doesn’t love cruising through the aisles with a Starbucks drink in hand, checking out the dollar spot as long as your heart desires. Ohhh wait…. that was before kids-haha! Now, add in the grocery list that’s a mile long and two kiddos that want all the things and feel that it’s the right time to act out a scene from Braveheart. Screaming and talking so loudly that everyone can hear. It’s not realistic to think EVERY time we go to the store with our kiddos it will be an easy experience, most of the time it feels like organized chaos. There are so many factors to take in as well:

• is the store busy?,
• are you going around nap time?,
• are you going right after school (when they want your attention more)?,
• are you when someone doesn’t feel good?,
• are you are in a bad mood?,
• or maybe because it’s Tuesday.

With SO many things going on, I think it’s important to take some things into consideration before you head out to make it easier on yourself.

Plan for the trip back

First, before you even leave for the store clear off your counter tops. Seems like a silly thing to do but you are making it easier on yourself in the long run. I don’t know about you, but I only make one trip inside. If I must, I shut the hatch with my pinky finger and a roundhouse kick… well that’s how I roll. When you Hulk carry your groceries inside its really nice having a clean work space! You are not scrambling to find a place for all the bags and it makes unloading everything a lot faster with more space.

Turn shopping into an experience

When you are going to the store make sure you are ready for battle! Just in case that Braveheart scene starts to break out in the cereal aisle. For my kiddos, they do pretty well for about the first 20 minutes or so. Then after that I start to see them wilt a bit. I try to include them in the shopping experience as much as possible at his point by letting them hold the list, check things off, and help me find items. All these actions not only keep their attention but are also fine motor, letter and number recognition skills that you can sneak in on the fly. For my preschooler, I use the following prompts:

• On the list can you find letter ‘B’, what does the spaghetti sauce look like(what color),
• can you help find something that is yellow in this aisle,
• how much is this(what number do you see),
• do you see the picture on the box-tell me a story about this(he likes to just make them up).

Using prompts like these is such a great time to spark communication and open conversations that can turn into really connecting with your child. Depending on your kiddos age, adjust the prompts to fit their level.

The popcorn trick

Another trick I like to use at Target is the popcorn. Seriously. I take my always snackin’ children to the little cafe in there and they split a bag of popcorn. Not only am I feeding the sharks a snack but also distracting them! I do this intentionally when I know I am on a time crunch or I am feeling moody. I don’t want my issue to then trickle down to them in a negative way. This is just a fun treat for them every now and then and they know that it’s not something we do EVERY time.

These are just a few small tricks that can really make a difference. I feel that being aware of how you are feeling as you walk into the store is really the biggest game changer. If you are moody and not ready to take on the store with your kiddos, then DON’T. Give it an hour and try again, or just go tomorrow if it can wait. Make trips to the store feel like a success not a sinking ship.

-Ms. Whitney
Lead Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Curriculum Coordinator

Time is so valuable that it is the most important thing you can give to your family, especially to your children. They will not be young forever. One moment they are cuddled in your arms, the next, they are already starting high school. And the time you spent with them will be like precious jewels and embedded in their minds forever.

Some people believe in the concept that time is money. Ignoring the fact that family time is as important and more meaningful, they spend most of their time at work, seeking livelihood to support their families. A study from the Mental Health Association based in the UK indicates that 4 out of 10 employees are neglecting other aspects in their life. They work long hours forgetting to spend more quality time with family and friends.

So, how important is it to spend time with your family? Here are a few benefits of family time that should not be ignored:

Stronger family bond

The main and most important reason why you need to spend more quality time with family is to develop ties and bond with your loved ones. As your kids grow older, they tend to join gangs or wrong groups of friends because they are more welcome. They want to be a part of a family. That is mostly what happens to kids who did not spend enough time with their parents when they were growing up.

Children need a sense of security and belongingness. They need someone they can look up to as a role model and turn to when things get hard. If a family spends more quality time together, a deep and strong family bond develops.

More time to talk and listen

In every family, there will always come a time when the need to share, talk and listen arises. Most adults think that talking and listening to their children is difficult to do as kids think differently than them. Truth is, most children will become more attached to the grown-ups who take time to talk and listen to what they really feel.

Listen without judgment, jumping into conclusions, or criticism. When you listen to your children, do not just hear them out. Feel the message they are trying to convey – empathize. When your child comes to you with something important, focus your attention to them. Show them that you are involved in the whole conversation. Talk directly to them, especially teenagers about the side effects of drugs and alcohol. Always set a good example. Remember that kids always follow by example.

Instill family values to children

In a world where divorce has increased rapidly over the years, one of the many benefits of family time is to instill in your child’s mind the importance of family values and build a sense of worth. Children tend to imitate. If you are an absent parent during most of their growing up years, the tendency for them to become one is higher.

Learn important lessons in life

Home is where your children will first learn most of the things they know in life. If you do not teach them life’s important lessons at home, they will learn it or look for it somewhere. While at some point, your kids will have to learn things on their own, it is still important for a family to have time for discussions. Put forth your situations or problems in front of them. Have an open discussion with your kids, ask for their opinions, and together come up with a solution. By doing this, you will be able to help them learn to better understand life’s situations in a positive way.

Help and connect better with your kids

Parental involvement is one of the most overlooked aspects of children’s education today. Most parents don’t realize how important their involvement is in their child’s learning. Family members should take the time and effort for this. Most children who have more involved parents are likely to continue to go on higher education, achieve superior test scores, finish school with higher honors, behave better and will have a positive outlook in life.

Your involvement can be like reading a bedtime story, checking their homework, discussing their progress at school with their teachers, getting involved in PTA, or anything that is related to their academic progress. It can also be as simple as asking them how their day was.

Final Thoughts

While providing financial support is also important to your family, do not neglect the fact that your kids need you physically as well. You need to really make an effort and find ways to spend more quality time with family and make the moments as fun and memorable as possible. Children grow up really fast. Don’t waste the time you have at the moment and be with them as much as possible. The more quality time you spend with the stronger your family unit will be. And strong families are able to withstand crisis and setbacks with a positive outlook, shared values, and beliefs that will help them overcome any challenges.