How to Grocery Shop with a Toddler
Time, tasks and tiny hands
I pulled into the Aldi parking spot armed with my reusable bags and a quarter for my cart. About five topics rattled around my brain, and as I marched toward the familiar, militarily precise row of chained carts, I became vaguely aware of a pleasant conversation happening somewhere near me.
“You’re doing great. Now hold on tight, because you have the most important job.” I turned to spy a young boy with pink cheeks and bright eyes, likely approaching his third birthday, solemnly gripping a quarter in his little fist.
“I got it, Mommy. I won’t let go, I promise.”
“I know you won’t, buddy. I can count on you.”
Together they walked into the cart corral, and the little boy, with his still-forming fine motor skills, painstakingly inserted his quarter into the slot. With a little help from Mom, he unlocked their cart and grinned with pride as Mom hoisted him into the cart and strapped him in. Mama eyed him with exaggerated concern. “Now, I’ll need your help shopping, buddy. Will you help me?”
“I will help you, Mommy. I’m the BEST help!”
My heart swelled at the interaction, and I kept loose track of the duo as I shopped. I overheard them discuss whether or not they needed more flour; they talked about how money pays for the items in their cart and how it’s important not to spend too much. Little Man had dozens of questions and Mom patiently answered him. I didn’t catch them all as he gazed around from his perch in the shopping cart. I noted that he waited quietly as she held up a finger, momentarily preoccupied. Even at his young age, he knew he’d eventually be answered.
Later, we crossed paths again in the parking lot, where Little Man carefully used the limits of his strength to help Mom move grocery bags to the back of their SUV. They had a front-row parking spot, and as they finished up Mom opened the back-seat door and said, “Okay, you hop in, and then I’ll start the car with my keys and lock you in. I’ll put the cart back and be back before you know it.”
Little Man looked up at her earnestly. “Okay Mommy. Don’t worry, I’ll be in here. I’ll wait for you,” he said as he climbed inside.
I couldn’t help but smile. I wanted to compliment Mama, but I didn’t quite know how. I wish I had told her that it was clear she’d spent plenty of time and energy cultivating this relationship and trust between them. I wish I’d told her that the seeds of skills and confidence she was sowing in her son - even though tossing a screen in front of him would undoubtedly have been easier - would absolutely be worth it.
If I’m being honest, I wish I’d been more like this Mama when my oldest was little. No one had ever taught me, and it took me some time before I figured it out.
And so I’m sharing this story with you, dear reader.
Mamas, I know, some days we will truly be too busy and too rushed to devote the time and energy necessary to invite tiny hands to manage the Aldi quarter. But, I implore you to, every chance you get, find ways to include them in the mundane work of daily life. They crave the responsibility, the attention and the mastery of tasks and, if the proud twinkle in that Mama’s eyes is any indication, we might just get a little joy out of it, too.