[Ms Coo P'on]

Originally Posted by PortlandCouponFinder

It's nice to hear that I am not the only couponing dad.

Too funny! But yes he is my coupon KING, he's a mathematical genius and get's our scenarios down to very little OOP. He has also shared his skills with some of the guys at work and it's so funny to hear him on the phone talking coupons.

[hcsig]

Yep, I think in the 2 years and some odd months my DD has been alive I have been shopping by myself 3 times! Granted 15 months of that was due to a deployment. She actually does really well in the store for the most part, as we make it kind of a game. If it is a small trip she gets to carry the basket until it is too heavy and then she helps. If it is a big trip then she gets to walk beside the cart and help pull off what we need.

Oh and I agree that there is nothing wrong with giving timeouts in the middle of the store. I have done it more times than I care to count or kept walking down the aisle as my DD breaks down into a temper tantrum over something little.

It is established that we only buy what is on our list and as we are going to each section/aisle I will tell her what we need so she is prepared to only get those items. Even at 2 she understands that we stick to the list, no exceptions and anything extra that goes in our cart she has to put back herself. I will admit if she is really good I will usually get her some type of little treat (usually candy to share)

[mariat23]

I really love with all these posts and the one with the husband flipping through the binder I can relate too - as well as the fighting sibs - we still call them all dears!

[jcdamomma]

It's school supply clearance time...get them each a calculator and have them add everything up as you go...whoever is closest to your total gets a "prize"...in my house it would be a non-monetary prize such as picking the movie that the family watches for family movie night or choosing the afterschool snack for the next day or a bike ride with just mom or dad!

[daisysue62]

I have a 4 and almost 2 year old and up til now have always had to bring both kids with me. Now my 4 year old is in preschool and my Dh works from home on Mondays and Fridays so I can leave the 2 year old home napping while my 4 year old is at school and I have 2.5 hours to shop ALL BY MYSELF!!! So much faster and easier.

My kids don't ask for anything, they just drive me nuts because they won't leave each other alone. If they behave I occasionally buy them a treat (chocolate or strawberry milk).

[Minta]

If I can avoid taking both kids with me I do. I have an 8 yo daughter and a 3 y.o son. They are a distraction and sometimes I will miss deals. I do better when I shop alone or just have one of the kids with me.
The older one gets bored quickly and sometimes does not like walking around the store. I have tried giving her jobs of helping me find stuff on the shelf but that does not always work.