Never Have a Tantrum in the Store Again

Never have a tantrum in the store again with this one simple tip.

So you’ve all been there before…you’ve got your child in the cart at the store, you walk past a toy or treat that they want.

Kid: “Mommy, Mommy, can I have that Barbie?”

You: “No, not today honey”

Kid: “But I really want it Mommy”

You: “Yes I know, but we’re not getting you a Barbie today”

Kid (volume a little louder): “Mom, I WANT THAT BARBIE!”

And then your child goes into full-on tirade mode…screaming, flailing, crying, the whole enchilada.  You get those looks from everyone in the store like, “Don’t you know how to calm that kid down??”  You’ve all been there, and it’s not a fun moment – probably one of the many reasons I dislike grocery shopping.

While the tirade ensues, you’ve got two choices:

1. You give in and buy the Barbie just to avoid the embarrassment – this teaches the child that they can get whatever they want if they just throw fit…not ideal.
2. You let them throw their fit and pretend you’re the only one in the store :).

To be completely honest, I’ve done both of these things.  I didn’t like either of them, and I’m here to tell you there is an awesome alternative.

In implementing the Workstars Family Economy System (learn more here), you establish a family store.  This store is made up of toys, candy, & other things your child wants to earn.  Throughout the week they earn stars which they can turn into cash or purchase items in the family store.

So now when our child sees something they want in the supermarket, we reply: “Sure I can buy that and put it in the family store and you can earn it.”  This has totally changed the mindset of our kids.  They now know that the only way they can get toys, candy, etc is by earning it.

As we have implemented this, we have noticed one big change with our kids – they don’t ask for things as much while we are at the store.  They have learned to associate getting toys with work (most of the time – believe me we still work on this every day).

So the next time you are in the store and you feel a tirade beginning, think of our 3^rd alternative and purchase the item for the family store.  They will appreciate it more if they earn it anyways.