Shopping with 6 kiddos!
May 14, 2008 by Christine - From Dates to Diapers
Filed under MU mega review, family life, love it
Today I ventured off to the grocery store with my six kiddos in tow. I set out with great hopes that I could make it through Safeway, gathering all of the items on my grocery list, without losing my cool, or forgetting anything. Fortunately I remembered to grab my Moby wrap on my way out the door!
Generally I go grocery shopping well prepared and with everyone’s tummies full. However, today we had to go before we ate lunch, mainly because we didn’t have anything for lunch here at home. Never go to the store with hungry kids, unless you posses the self-control superpower (or you’re going to Costco and can fill up on samples!), or you’ll end up buying way too much food!
I always hear countless remarks from men and women who are amazed that I have all of my children with me at the market. I guess we are quite a spectacle… Noah wrapped up in what looks like my shirt, Ben comfy in the Clean Shopper with his OnTray loaded with yummy snacks (or my coupons), Julia and Josh playing their Nintendo DS or reading while hanging on the basket, and the twins following behind me like little ducklings! Imagine the looks and stares from people in the store!
I did manage to make it through the trip today with my patience intact. The kiddos all did really well, and we even left Safeway with two movie tickets, thanks to their current promotion… Looks like an inexpensive date night is in my future, thanks to all the snacks we bought!
So, even if you still think I’m insane for taking all of my kiddos shopping with me, you may be interested to know what items make my shopping trips just a bit easier:
- My Moby Wrap – Noah is certainly old enough to sit in the seat of the shopping cart, but I enjoy holding him while I shop. Aside from the fact that he stays happy, there wouldn’t be room in the cart if I didn’t hold him! I don’t go shopping with all of my kiddos without my Moby!
- The Clean Shopper – Even while keeping my little Ben comfortable, the Clean Shopper protects him from all of the germs on the shopping cart.
- Shopping with My ABC’s – Perfect for occupying both of my littlest ones while I shop, this book and set of plush letter’s is as cute as it is entertaining.
- The OnTray – This mom invented, made in the USA contraption effortlessly attaches to the shopping cart’s handlebar allowing my little guys to easily munch on snacks while I shop. It’s great for holding coupons and such, too.
- The SippiGrip – This handy little thang keeps the small kiddos sippy cups handy, so I don’t have to worry about losing them!
Is there something you just don’t go shopping without?
Sounds like an exciting trip I could only imagine seeing you guys in the store. Although you would get lots of hugs I couldn’t imagine shopping. I love the idea of the wrap as well sounds perfect and hey it keeps him happy!
And here I thought shopping with 2 kids was hard!
What I can’t go without… hand sanitizer and a snack or small toy.
You must be a superwoman! I could never do it, I have enough trouble with my nearly 2 year old!
When we go to the store I always have to have a snack, and my shopping cart cover.
I never go shopping without my hubby…he always buys more than I would! and the hand santizer is a must!
I’ll have to check out the OnTray, sounds like a great idea for my snacks (especially at Costco)because we all like to go to Costco for the samples, right?!
Believe me… I can only imagine how you do it. I venture out with my 3, 2 and 1 year old and this gigantic belly and we are stopped by EVERYONE asking me “How are we out”… “How do I do it?”… “Am I done with 4..” And the list goes on… So I can ONLY imagine what it is like for you!!!
Best,
Audrey
I do not go shopping without my grocery list. Helps me stay on track with what I need so I can get in and out of the store with as little trouble as possible. I’ll bet you are a List Mama as well!
Jen
http://www.listmamablog.com
I think going grocery shopping with 2 is an adventure. That is 1/3 of your kiddos! And the item I could not survive without when Mackenzie was about 7 – 20 months was a snack trap. Honestly she would eat almost an entire jar of those Sweet Potato Gerber Puffs!
I’m with you on the baby carrier. My favorite wrap is a didymos http://www.attachedtobaby.com german woven wrap (much more comfy than a moby for bigger baby) and I with baby #2 I really liked using the ergo http://www.ergobabycarrier.com for a back carry, it took me just 20 seconds to get him on my back. I have some pics of baby #3 in my didymos if you wanna see http://www.christianfam.net