By Janet Powell, The Parenting Coach

While some adults love to spend a whole day shopping, having lunch or coffee, wandering through shopping centres window-shopping, most children do not enjoy it. And if you try to cajole your children into going with you, you have to be prepared for the results. What can you do to make it more enjoyable for everyone?

Why not try out these suggestions for minimum fuss:
1. Plan ahead if possible and pick the best time
2. Write a shopping list and stick to it
3. Let your children know where you are going and what you will buy or do
4. Ask for help – “Can you find the little tins of tuna?” at the supermarket
5. Give some choice – “Would you like to go to the Post Office first or the Bank?”
6. Keep shopping trips short
7. Take some snacks, drinks, toys for young children
8. Have conversations about what you are buying
9. For young children, know where the toilets are located
10. Encourage co-operation “Could you please put this bread in the trolley?”
11. Keep your promise if you’ve said you’ll do something special after shopping
12. Talk about why you need to do this shopping – “We’ve run out of vegetables!”

And some “Don’ts”:
1. Don’t shop when the children are hungry or tired
2. Don’t shop if you’ve promised to do something fun
3. Don’t stand talking to a friend for half an hour while your children wait
4. Don’t keep adding things on to the shopping list or trip
5. Don’t give in to demands for “treats” every time you shop
6. Don’t threaten to leave a screaming child at the shops
7. Don’t ignore a child’s request to go to the toilet

If you'd like parenting that is easier and more fun, contact Janet Powell, The Parenting Coach, on 03-9889-3991 or janet@mentormaestro.com