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Remember when you could do your Christmas shopping quickly and easily, by yourself? Those were the days before you had a family and young children. These days, with your little ones, you have to prepare for hours just to make it to the mall and back, in one piece. You can't go quickly, that's for sure. Every change of venue means bathroom trips and car-seats and diaper changes. And you can only shop during peak hours-no more midnight mall runs, even when the mall's open until midnight-because, once the sun goes down, tiny bodies start to shut down for the day. When braving the Christmas crowds with your little ones, you shop according to their schedule, not yours. But there are a few things you can do to make your shopping experience a little easier. Let your children know ahead of time what he should expect from your shopping trip. Explain your shopping goals to them and your reasons for going to the stores you're visiting. For instance, that sweater that Aunt Sally wants can only be found at one store, so you'll be heading there as part of your trip. Let your children participate, by allowing them to shop for someone special, as well. Pick a relative or friend to whom they'd like to give a present, and make it a shopping trip to fill their list, too, so that they remain engaged in the process. If the mall or store where you're shopping has a Santa Claus, let your kids know, ahead of time, tell them to be prepared to ask Santa to bring them what they want for Christmas. This helps to keep them in an anticipatory mood, rather than being bored with the outing. Be aware that your children will tire quickly, and get hungry and thirsty more often than you. And when they do, their attention spans will vanish. Be sure to take some healthy snacks on your shopping trip, to satisfy those needs. Many shopping centers and malls have childrens' play areas, and some have drop-off services with certified care-givers. Other parents can be a good resource to discover which are the best, in your town. Plan and discuss a reward for your kids, if they behave while you shop. Then, if they're unruly, avoid public discipline, follow through with your plan, and withold the reward. Christmas shopping with young children isn't easy. But, with a little planning, you can make it a bit saner, and involve them in this annual ritual.
Article Source: http://www.philvault.com
Brought to you by Imaginary Greetings, a regular contributor of useful family related ideas. To truly light up your child's eyes this Christmas season, compose a letter from Santa.
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