Thursday, February 11, 2016

5 Secrets to Surviving Grocery Shopping with Your Babies






I think it's safe to say that grocery shopping with little people has the potential to BREAK. US. DOWN. It can be a daunting task. I've noticed  that our shopping experiences have usually been rough when I have failed to prepare not only my children ahead of time, but myself.  But lately, grocery shopping has been a fun experience for me and my girlies since I started consistently following these 5 guidelines! Here's to hoping they make your grocery shopping easier!


1. Go AFTER a meal and a nap!

If you can manage this, then no one will be starving or hungry during your grocery shopping endeavor! For us, that means we go right after my youngest daughter's first nap and lunchtime. The hungrier they are (and me for that matter), the more likely they will try to reach for anything and everything to put in the cart.  Tired children means cranky/irritable children which is NOT FUN in the middle of the grocery store.  So pick times of the day when everyone has a happy tummy and a happy face :).

2. Streamline/Organize your grocery list!

I used to jot down whatever came to my mind on my grocery list with no trace of order or organization.  That works when you can go to the store alone and have the time (and patience) to wonder aimlessly through the isles looking for scattered items on your list.  I realize now with my two little girls that that doesn't make our shopping experience pleasant or efficient. I suggest organizing your lists based on the layout of your store.  I go to the same store every week and know it like the back of my hand! We start on one end and finish at the other so I organize my list by sections.  This prevents me from dashing back and forth a hundred times!

3. Meal Plan!

This coincides with number 2 but I think it's still worth mentioning! If you are a mama on a clear mission, your time will be spent more wisely! Knowing exactly what I plan to make for my family each week keeps me motivated to finish the task at hand and even be excited about the ingredients I am purchasing.

4. Get a HUGE cup of your FAVORITE coffee and drink it on the way to the store!

You know what they say... Jesus and coffee all day everyday! Stopping by Starbucks to get a White Chocolate Mocha on Wednesdays (my grocery shopping day since it's Double Add day at Sprouts) is one of those "little things" in motherhood that keeps me calm and collected! I only get it once a week so it's a treat for me that automatically brightens my mood and makes me breath in deeply and just... sigh! I promise you will not be disappointed. Coffee is just THAT good, people.

5. PRAY PRAY PRAY!

Pray before during and after! I always have my kids "pray" in the car on the way to the grocery store (or anywhere for that matter) and have them ask Jesus to make our time productive and enjoyable! Also, offer up prayers of THANKSGIVING before, during and after.  It's much more difficult to be grouchy and on edge while shopping if you have the heart of gratitude for even being able to grocery shop.  I tell me girls all the time that there are people in the world who don't have the luxury of going to the store every week and buying all of the yummy and healthy foods they like! I also remind myself and my girls to be thankful that God has provided in such a way for us to be able to AFFORD eating the way we like to eat (organic, real food). So be THANKFUL! Even after you get home and you are unloading all of your groceries, just start thanking Jesus in the middle of your kitchen for his PROVISION and GRACE. And lastly, since my husband is the bread-winner in our family, I always try to make it a point to have myself and the kids personally thank HIM for working so hard each day and enabling me to do what I love (cooking healthy meals for my family).


So there you have it.  These are my 5 current secrets to walking out of those automatic doors at Sprouts alive and well each and every Wednesday.

Happy Shoppin'

Bryt xoxo