Shopping Advise

Hello-- what a crazy day! Today, I dared to take my children shopping. Despite the cold weather we wondered out of the house. We had several places we needed to go before we could go home. I hope that one day I can look back on my words of wisdom and keep my thoughts to myself. Did you ever notice all the advise Moms get from other Moms, older (wiser?) people when you take your children out shopping?

I am a Mom who-- yes, bribes her children to be good while out in public-- so as not to cause more attention than needed on a regular basis. Now, I did receive advise from a friend with whom I work with on how she takes out her 5 young children. And now I will pass that advise on to you the reader: I prep my children before we go out.... OK this is where we need to go (and I go the place of most importance first, even if it is the furthest away-- time is most precious to me and getting things done, then I explain what my expectations are when we are out. Charlie is in the shopping cart that I push, Henry walks directly behind me, Teddy pushes the cart with Sam in it. The children are not to ask for anything, touch anything, or knock any displays down. They are to use the smallest form of speaking voices, for I ignore yelling, screaming, or loud outdoor voices unless we are on a mountain trying to hear our echo. All forms of misbehavior will result in punishments to my own regard (this ultimately depends on how mad I get) and I can change the punishment at lib) Now some of you may say- well that does not seem fair! Well it is not-- punishments are not fair and is either is the negative attention-- so as to not face the criminal acts, don't act up! Now, onto the shopping--- if someone, anyone..... who sees us out shopping, eating, walking,,what ever says out loud, loud enough for ME to hear it "Wow, what well behaved children you have....." All the children will get to get treat. This treat could be a trip to the dollar store or a pick from the lines of candy at the register. Again-- this is for me to decide at lib! Now, the children are not allowed to say anything when someone comments on their behavior until we get back into the car. Now, I do like to play around with the children-- because you should see these boys stare someone down in the store, trying to get someone to make the remark. It is quite funny! Some people feel as if they have something wrong with them- -- but every once in a while someone does make the comment-- and I pretend not to hear it-- and that really gets them all going! But this sure has made shopping a lot less stressful!

So shop on good people!