Goats in the store

I had to take the kids out grocery shopping today. Whenever we go do something like this... it never ever ever goes smoothly. I am practiced now in handling all types of outing disasters.
Here are a few tips that I would like to share when venturing out on errands with kids.

• one word - snacks. lots and lots of yummy snacks. 
• make use of a little thing called novelty. I am constantly handing my kids random things off the shelves to entertain them a little...things that I usually don't buy, but are fun for a couple minutes. Things that shake or crinkle or make noise of some sort are the best.
• always always bring an extra change of clothes. Just leave it in the car or pack a sleeper in your diaper bag. 
• make sure you have a little baggie of bandaids in your purse or car
• make an errand bag the night before and put everything you will need into it. Items to return, packages for mailing, whatever.
• try not to do it all on one outing. The kids and you will tire quickly...tired kids and tired mama = disaster.
• make a grocery list and stick to it. Makes for a faster trip!
• be mentally prepared to bail out if all hell breaks loose. It is okay, and you can try again another day!

There was a funny list that circulated through Facebook not long ago called the 11 Step Program to Follow Before Having Kids.... here is one of the steps.....

Lesson 7

Go to the local grocery store. Take with you the closest thing you can find to a pre-school child. (A full-grown goat is an excellent choice). If you intend to have more than one child, then definitely take more than one goat. Buy your week's groceries without letting the goats out of your sight. Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys. Until you can easily accomplish this, do not even contemplate having children.

so true.