Today was my first trip to the grocery store with all three kids by myself. I’ve been to Target (and scored 5 pairs of shoes for $22!) but haven’t ventured out to do a full-on grocery shop by myself yet.
I’d gotten used to doing my shopping with only Sugarplum while Honeybun was at school and it was super easy. The few times I had to go with both girls, especially towards the middle of my pregnancy when I wasn’t allowed to lift them (therefore couldn’t put Sugarplum in the cart), were very trying. Individually my girls are very well behaved but when they are together they tend to push the limits, usually by running around like wild hyenas and making me look (and feel) like the most incompetent mommy in existence by completely disregarding all standing rules and ignoring what I have to say. To help combat this I instituted a “touch the cart” mandate where then they start losing control of themselves they are required to touch the cart any time it’s stopped and it’s been working really well.
Today we entered the store with a short list and high hopes. I had Doodle in the sling (I don’t put my car seat in anything it isn’t made to “click” into) so couldn’t also lift Sugarplum into the cart. Luckily the store was not very busy and it was very small. The girls did have a few wild hyena moments but I never had to enforce the cart-touching-mandate. My girls like to be helpful so I gave them jobs to do, either grabbing or carrying things for me (I usually give them things that are NEARLY too heavy so they have to concentrate really hard).
I’m sure next time when I have a longer list and shorter patience it won’t go as smoothly, but at least now I know we CAN make it work without anyone losing their minds!
