Oh my my my! Ladies – Joy and I couldn’t be MORE different when it comes to our thoughts on shopping with children.
Honestly after reading through her post this morning, I almost choked on my coffee when reading the following sentences (and I quote – no joking here)
one of my very favorite things to do on a quiet afternoon when not much else is going on is to go shopping as a family. Just yesterday me, the hubs and babes loaded up the car to head to Whole Foods to grab some items and I found myself thrilled at the prospect of me and the kids wandering around the store selecting our goodies to bring home.
I couldn’t believe what I read…. Thrilled? Favorite things? Shopping as a family? WHAT??!!!!
First, let’s back up a bit…
I love my family. I love my husband with all of my heart and my little girls are the most precious things in my life. And in all honesty, I love shopping. So, one would think that if you combine all of those items together it would be a blissful experience – like how Joy described her recent 
Whole Foods shopping trip – right?!
No Way Jose!
Now our family certainly does do the occasional Fresh & Easy or Target run together… all 4 of us. Like one big happy family. But would I call it one of my favorites things to do? Nah. Far from it.
In the spirit of keeping our posts synergistic I thought I’d leave you with a top 5 list (just like Joy). But instead this is my Top 5 Mommy Shopping Confessions 🙂
Steph’s Top 5 Mommy {Shopping} Confessions
- We are that couple that at the end of a date night if we have some time left over, we’ll run by the grocery store or by Target just b/c it’s easier to do it w/o children.
- Although we do our weekly grocery shopping as a family (I know?!) I ALWAYS look forward to the occasional trip to the grocery store by my lonesome.
- When I do get a chance to shop alone I may or may not treat myself to a Starbucks coffee for 2 reasons. 1) I need the caffeine – I’m a mom. and 2) It adds just a little more “me” time to the outing.
- In the same respect, I may or may not pull into our parking spot after said shopping trip and sit for 5-10 minutes just to enjoy a little more R&R.
- Alright – I’ll say it – I don’t like shopping with my children! That can make the confession list, right?!
For more thoughts about shopping alone be sure to check out one of my very favorite SMB posts : Candid Motherhood : Walmart at Midnight (WARNING: It’s hilarious)
What about you? Do you enjoy family shopping trips (like Joy) or do you prefer to do your shopping on your own?
haha! Steph this made me giggle. I drove past two other grocery stores last night to get to a Fry’s that had the child care center (it’s my new alternative to the midnight Wal-Mart trip). It was bliss. I LOVE time with my kids. But grocery shopping is not one of them. I always end up being THAT mom with THOSE kids, forget half of what’s on the list and take home like 10 other things I never meant to get. I seriously can’t think with 3 toddlers in tow. Joy…you are a saint :). It is fun when I can just take one of them though…a little mommy date of sorts. Love how you two celebrate each other’s differences. xoxo
Love it Erin! The kids have to be potty trained to go the Fry’s child care, right? 🙂
Yeah. Probably doesn’t help you much at this point Steph…but in a couple years, Fry’s will be your favorite store! 🙂
Erin, I can’t imagine shopping with THREE todders… one is tough enough! I might just opt to pay Safeway to deliver my groceries rather than bringing 3 Reagans with me… that would be impossible and I’m sure that someone would get hurt! As Elliot get’s older, I may have to opt for the in-store child care! Thanks Erin!
Joy you crack me up. I have a friend that does do the Safeway delivery and raves about it! Also, just so you know, I love how you patiently guide and teach Reagan. I’ve seen you do it a multiple occasions and it’s a great encouragement to me!
E (and Steph!) – I am so with you! Actually, I usually settle for taking one child with me…and it’s surprisingly, usually the toddler! You would think it would be the 6 year old, after all, shopping should get easier as they get older right? Not in my house! She is sooo not a shopper! All I hear is “are we done yet” or “can I get this”…every other second!
For some reason, my mellow little Sophia just loves being in a cart and out of the house. I think she’s spent way too much time couped up! Plus, we do much of what Joy does and it keeps her entertained. Lesson learned tho – never give the 2-yr old the shopping list, unless you don’t need it.
And my mommy confession?? I have a part time nanny two mornings a week so I often shop alone! Yep. Call me spoiled. Don’t I deserve to be just a little break after #4?!?
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