I went shopping yesterday with all of my kids. I know, sounds crazy. The truth is that I actually enjoy going shopping with my kids. Yes, it is hard, but I figure that I have to shop anyway; I may as well make it a bonding time with my children.

It actually works out pretty nicely. I can run to the bathroom, while my kids guard the cart. I have four little helpers, willing to get me the sugar that I forgot to pick up in aisle 3, and the granola bars in aisle 300. The older ones keep an eye on the younger ones, and we have a great time together.

Yes, I do usually wind up spending more money when I bring them along. “Mommy, we must buy these new amazing chips. They’re so spicy; they almost burn a hole through your tongue. All the kids in school have them.” “Oh, wow, sounds irresistible!” And even though you feel like a totally irresponsible parent for agreeing to buy such a hazardous snack, you can’t let your child be the only one without them in school. “Okay, sweetie, throw them in the cart.”Or you may hear, “Mommy, we must stock up on chocolate for the next ten years. We’ve been out of it for two days, and it’s been horrible. Plus you never know when there’ll be an emergency chocolate craving!” Trying not to laugh, and not wanting to get into it, you simply say, “Okay, Judy, throw a bunch of chocolate bars in the cart.”

For me, the most challenging part of taking the kiddies shopping, is dealing with my youngest. You see my three older children are the chilled out type. They always sat nicely in the carriage or shopping cart, munching on their treat, and looking around.  Kid number four came along and is a totally different breed. She likes to stand in the shopping cart while every onlooker gives me nasty looks. She figured out how to get out of her stroller buckle even before she could walk. These days she knows how to get out of her car seat, yikes! One treat is never enough for her. She finishes it in seconds and cries for another. She has no problem lying on the floor in any store, taking off her shoes and socks, running up and down the aisles, or screaming on the top of her lungs in the middle of a big crowd. Raising such a child has definitely been a humbling experience. It’s a good thing she’s gorgeous, friendly, and loveable.

With all the hardships of taking the kids shopping, there are so many benefits. When my kids help unload the cart, bag the groceries, pack and unpack the car, and drag the packages into the house, they are gaining a lot. They are learning how to take responsibility, and what it means to work together as a team. Each person helps to the best of their ability, and everyone is thanked and appreciated for their capabilities and help. Things don’t always go so smoothly, but by the time we get home, we have usually learned something new and valuable, even if it’s what not to do next time. We also feel very accomplished after completing such a task. The best part about it though, is that we just spent 2 hours together, chatting, laughing, deciding, helping, dragging, laughing, sweating, packing, unpacking, and laughing some more!