Those Sneaky Little Kids
A Siren Call for Kids
I just read a report on a study that was done in Austria, which observed the shopping habits of parents accompanied by children. The study showed that parents underestimated by half the number of items they purchased in supermarkets resulting from the influence of their children. Researchers said that the majority of purchase decisions were made in the store leaving parents exposed to the persuasive efforts of their children. If the child made the request nicely and clearly, their manners and determination were rewarded.
Even without a study, I can strongly confirm the results based on my years of experience. Years ago I realized the damage my kids do to my shopping budget, and as they’ve grown older, I’m much less likely to take them along to the supermarket on days when they’re home from school.
Besides not bringing them along when I shop, here are a few other strategies I’ve used to keep a grip on my budget with kids in tow. First, it’s very helpful to shop with a plan. 99% of the time I head to the market for my weekly shopping, I’ve planned my menu for the week, and have a specific list of items to purchase. I may leave some items open-ended – for example I may write down “fruit” but wait until I arrive at the store to choose what looks best for the price. With a shopping list in hand, it’s clear to me what I really need, and what is just a little “treat” for the kids, which I usually allow one per child.
Another trick I’ve employed is to allow them to feel like they’re making decisions, by giving them the healthy items to choose. I may tell them each to choose a vegetable as a dinner side dish. Then they feel the power of choosing, while really picking something I needed anyway.
Finally, since I’ve been shopping at Whole Foods, there’s so much less commercial temptation for them. They may sample a cheese and ask for it, or request a special fruit juice, but they aren’t bombarded by end of aisle displays showcasing the latest and greatest commercial products. This has saved our budget immensely. For a time I belonged to one of those warehouse clubs, but I soon learned that shopping there led to large scale purchases of things we didn’t need, just because they looked like such a good deal. One of the girls would ask for something, and it’s hard to turn down. But that leads to two problems – an unnecessary expenditure, and a closet full of unnecessary snack foods.
My final tip is to always beware and pay attention to what you’re doing with your kids in tow. They have a funny way of distracting us from what they don’t want us to see. Little kids can be sneakier than you think.
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