Hello this void, I hope all contained had a lovely Thanksgiving!!
I did, thanks. I made a brilliant creamy potatoes au gratin with white cheese sauce, which I thought would be impossible but turned out amazing. Cooking really is like crafting, a distinction I didn't really appreciate until this Thanksgiving. In addition to my potatoes, I made two sets of apple crisp-one with my four-year-old class and one with my good buddy MC. He's seven, and cooking with him is one of my new favorite things to do.
All this cooking meant A LOT of time in grocery stores. I happen to be an intrisically absent-minded person, so even with lists I had to make several return trips. Thankfully I don't mind, as I LOVE grocery stores. I feel so lucky in having such a broad spectrum of choices! Lucky in that the food is there for me, of course, but also I feel free. I get to define my exact criteria for every product I need, and for some reason that is liberating to me on a very deep level. I also love the organization, the bright colors, the smells and the endless possibilities! A grocery store is like an enormous box of crayons-the possible combinations of colors, styles, designs, statements, techniques, method and expression is infinite.
I am intensely aware, however, that a trip to the grocery store is more torture than art for some people. Today, actually, I noticed some unusually miserable moms and dads hauling unwilling children. How awful for these parents, who not only have to drag the children around but are providing food for them as well!! And the children, confined to a metal cage on wheels, being tempted with all sorts of yummy delights just out of reach. What a painful process for all!
Sad, too, because I want everyone in the world to love and appreciate grocery stores like I do. This is a new perspective for me-as I have eight brothers and sisters, you may rest assured I was one of the screaming miseries in the cage. So, to help out all you grocery store haters, I have put together a list of some supply-free ways to turn that dreaded chore into fun for all.
I-Spy: a timeless game with a grocery store twist. The things you choose to spy can be adapted to your child's age and ability levels. You can look for colors, shapes, things that start with letters, relational items (under, over, next to, on...), where they go in the kitchen (refrigerator, pantry, etc), what you would use to eat them, flavors, food groups...the list is honestly infinite. This game is most successful if a) make sure your categories are interesting to the child and b) if you have a turn to be a guesser as well. Tricky if you're time-constrained, understandably. If you are, try putting a time limit on guessing or the number of chances you get.
Sensory: have your child close their eyes (or use a blindfold if you have one available). As you are shopping, find things for them to smell and have them guess what it is. Find interesting shapes and let them feel it all over. Choose a particular sound that you can describe and have them point to the direction it is coming from. Push them down an aisle and let them feel the rows of goods on the shelf (carefully) and guess where they are. Try to guess the area by the temperature, etc. This game is especially good for helping little ones who are sensitive to visual stimuli remain calm. Also helpful for children with social anxiety, if you can get the blindfold on in the car.
Coupon-matching game: using coupons is a great way to save money. Have children help you while learning to be frugal. Give the child the coupon (or several, depending on age and ability level) when you get to the section the product is in. Tell them to look for the item on the coupon while you are-whoever finds it first wins! You can keep score for a reward at the end of the trip.
Education: there is something you know that your child probably doesn't about every item in a store. You can use this time to teach about money and cost, geography, ingredients, recipes, packaging, environmental impact, health...again, the list is infinite. Encourage them to ask questions-if you are lucky enough to be in possession of a smart phone or other portable technology, show them how to find their own answers (while simultaneously giving you some time, by the way ;) By age and experience you are in a position to give your kid a leg up in the world, as well as turning a chore into quality time.
Let them help: if it is age and ability-level appropriate, give your kids part of the list and cut your shopping time down. You can turn this into a race to the finish line as well, for some added fun. Make sure you delineate rules such as no running, etc. and that your kids know how to ask for help if they need it. Also save yourself time by making sure brands/prices/etc are clearly defined so you don't have to return to the area to switch items.
A grocery store has a large number of reinforcement items IN it-whatever your child will work for is more than likely in the store. To prevent them from asking for everything, decide before you go in what they will get for following directions. If its been a rough day for you, make sure you find yourself a little reinforcer too. You're doing a great job too!!
Happy Shopping!
