You are making a new recipe for dinner tonight, hoping to impress your husband. But you realize you don’t have two of the ingredients. Now you will have to load up the kids and run to the store.

Courtesy 123RF/Dmitry Kalinovsky

The last time you attempted taking all of them for just a short shopping trip, you wound up listening to kids squabble, constantly saying no to their many requests of things to add to the shopping cart, running short of cash at the checkout, and having to threaten discipline for too many misbehaviors.

Do I sound psychic? Just one who’s been in that scenario more than I wanted.

Rather than changing your plans for what to serve tonight, here are a few suggestions which may make that run to the grocery store not only survivable, but enjoyable.

1. Make it plain. If you are taking children out anywhere, it helps to let them know what you expect. Tell them where you’ll be going and what you’ll be doing. Also communicate your expectations of their behavior:
   • We will only be buying what’s already on the list.
   • If you see something you like, please wait till we are in the car to tell me about it. Maybe it can be added to our list for next time.
   • Make sure you stay right beside me while in the store.
   • No fussing with each other.
     Children do better if they know ahead of time what the boundaries are.
2. Make it beneficial. Adding a bonus for the kids during the visit to the store adds to their anticipation of what otherwise would be a total drag for them. If you are buying cereal today, maybe they could have a choice between two options. When ice cream is on the list, let them select the flavor. Flexing a bit and including them will pay dividends for you in the end.

3. Make it fun. Of course, the fun factor must be added in if you want to have a satisfying errand-running adventure. Sometimes just making one more stop for a special drink or treat (as long as everyone has met the behavior expectations) is a bonus that the children will remember the next time they all have to pack up in the car to accompany you.

4. Make it easy. My best recommendation for running errands with kids is to only take one at a time if possible! When we had five little ones at home, I tried to plan my errands for a time when my husband was available to sit. Rather than making the trip by myself, I would take one of the children with me for special time. Not only was the errand more fun, but I had great quality time to spend with that child. What I found was that each child was totally different when he was out with me by himself. We had great time to talk, usually had a treat, and it boosted my relationship with that child. I treasured that one-on-one time away from home.

Shopping and running errands can be more than just a necessary inconvenience. Leverage those trips because there will be many of them. A little forethought, clarity, and fun included can turn them from simply functional to relational, educational, and even enjoyable.