[Frackel]

Yeah, odd, I know You're used to it by now
But I promise this is actually on topic, somewhat.

So I was thinking about this, again. I think I made a similar post like last year sometime. Who knows, I'm not searchin' for it now

Do you plan your meals out before you go grocery shopping?
Do you make a list, or lists?
Do you go weekly, bi-weekly, monthly?
Make many stops or prefer limiting your stops?

Ok and now the on topic part, lol. I was helping another mom with this earlier today, hence my curiosity.
This applies more to those of you with kiddos old enough to really understand, or at least be able to walk in the store
(I think we have some lurkers and part-time posters with real lil ones, so, if that's you, tell us how you "plan" to do things, or what you'd like to do, please)....

Do you let your children help you shop?
Those old enough, do you give them responsibilities in the store?
Have you ever turned a grocery trip, or any trip to the store for that matter, into a lesson(intentional or otherwise)?
Do you have any tips for other parents they can use to help turn everyday must-do trips, like shopping-into lessons?

If you never have, I encourage you to try it some time. In fact, I challenge you to try it!! Especially if you have someone struggling with math, or even reading, really. Stores are a great way to show our kids that we DO need these skills in our everyday lives. Not to mention just how valuable those lessons we don't like can really be.


Is it obvious I'm making my grocery list at almost 1am, and already thinking about how we can turn this into lessons? I have a habit of doing that, I'm not so sure if the kids have actually caught on or not. But it's been something I've done since they were tiny and could walk on their own, lol. I love seeing the current subject matter we're struggling with give them those magic light bulbs of "aha" that we've been longing to see at home. I love giving them responsibilities and seeing them work together(when needed) to accomplish them. They get right in there with me, normally, to make the lists, decide how much we've got to work with this week, what we need the most and what we can do without, finding things on the shelves and figuring out how much we'll need. I know, I'm an oddball, because really I don't like shopping. But I absolutely love shopping with the kids, lol.

[BensMom]

I prefer to shop by myself late at night, but lately, it's been easier to stop at walmart on Tuesday afternoons on the way home from bowling league. The kids don't mind it all that much except that it's naptime for Daniel, so he's a little bit clingy. He doesn't NEED naps anymore, and sometimes skips them, but sometimes we ALL need a nap, right? (Work with me here, people! )

I always have a list, rarely have coupons, and rarely go anywhere other than walmart. Ben helps me unload the groceries when we get home. Daniel does the "other stuff" (puts the mail on daddy's desk, takes the dog outside, etc.).

The older they get, the more responsibilities they'll have in the kitchen, including shopping. Before they leave home, they'll be able to plan a week's worth of meals, shop for them, cook for them, and clean up after them, without any help at all. Boys and girls need to be able to exchange traditional roles, because you never know when they'll have to. My hubby has played the role of mom a lot over the past few years after my 5 surgeries.

I think every shopping trip is a lesson. They always learn something - reading labels, or whatever - but I don't take the time to think about it. It comes naturally.

[mamma_anna]

Just lurking in here these days but I had to respond to this one.

Yes I do make lists before grocery shopping. I shop once or twice a week, always on a weekday morning when its quiet and less crowded. Whenever my girls come with me (not often anymore) they always help and it's always a learning expirience!

I don't plan lessons or anything. We just talk a lot about what we're doing and why as we do it. My mamma was like that with me when I was little so it's just a natural thing that I've always done with my girls. All of my older girls know how to choose fresh produce, how to compare unit prices to find the bargain, how to adjust recipies when ingredients aren't available, how to read nutrition labels, etc. All four of my girls help in the kitchen all the time. Abbey especially has really gotten into it lately. She's become quite the chef!

[Frackel]

The kids are doing more and more of the cooking here too. They've always at least helped. At least since the moment they could hold a spoon and sit up at the same time.(even if helping meant sitting on the counter and banging things, lol).

Tonight they're making dinner, with very little instruction. We found Leo's fav pasta at the store. I still can't believe manufacturers stopped making it, or so it seems since I can't find it anywhere. Anyway they're making choo-choo wheels, garlic bread and salad for dinner. Granted Lex is the only one allowed to work the stove/oven right now. The other two can stir things on the stove but they're not allowed to turn it on(or even touch the dials or put things in/take them out of the oven, I know they're 10 and 8, but I am way over protective and they have my clumsy genes )

I definitely don't *intentionally set out to make shopping into lessons, it just works out that way. Probably because it's become habit. The only time they don't go with me is if they are at my moms. In fact at some point this week we need to walk down tot he store. I was going to go today but then it started raining so hard it looked like a whiteout blizzard. Yeah we weren't going out in that even though it wasn't cold. Hoping it's dry tomorrow, I really need to get stuff for a cake(Lex turns 13 on Friday).

[in_mommy]

I make a list, compare ads and sort my coupons. They like to coupon too and find good deals. They like to search out for the coupon machines and ones people leave behind on shelves. When at store they help out calculating, etc.

[LisanAndy]

Do you plan your meals out before you go grocery shopping? Yes
Do you make a list, or lists? Just one list
Do you go weekly, bi-weekly, monthly? Weekly
Make many stops or prefer limiting your stops? Just one stop