Special Treats!Bribery. It works for me.
We do not eat at the junk food cafe every time we visit Sam's Club. That would be too expensive. Plus, if we did it frequently, it would lose its special status from rarity. I won't even expand on the (lack of) nutritional quality to the food.
But, on days like yesterday, it works. The fridge and cupboards were empty. We were long overdue grocery shopping. And, our schedule has been very busy. So, after enjoying a few hours walking around the zoo with our friends in the morning, I bribed the kids with lunch at the Sam's Club cafe, so that I could fit in the grocery shopping on the way home. (I do not present it as a special favor to Mom. I present it as a really fun idea.)
The idea was a hit! We went from the zoo to the store. We ate first. Then, we ran through the aisles and loaded up our cart. The kids were so excited about the treat of pizza and Coke, that they forgot to whine about how tired their legs were already, from walking around the zoo. Everyone cooperated well enough to get our groceries.
I only added 1 thing that was not on the list. I only forgot 1 thing that was on the list. I'd say that trip was a success!
But, on days like yesterday, it works. The fridge and cupboards were empty. We were long overdue grocery shopping. And, our schedule has been very busy. So, after enjoying a few hours walking around the zoo with our friends in the morning, I bribed the kids with lunch at the Sam's Club cafe, so that I could fit in the grocery shopping on the way home. (I do not present it as a special favor to Mom. I present it as a really fun idea.)
The idea was a hit! We went from the zoo to the store. We ate first. Then, we ran through the aisles and loaded up our cart. The kids were so excited about the treat of pizza and Coke, that they forgot to whine about how tired their legs were already, from walking around the zoo. Everyone cooperated well enough to get our groceries.
I only added 1 thing that was not on the list. I only forgot 1 thing that was on the list. I'd say that trip was a success!
Normally, I don't have to make such huge shopping trips very often. I try to space them out a bit, if I can. I try to go alone when The Referee is home. He also helps by stopping off at the store to pick up a few items on his way home from work. So, I try to work it out with a few alternative options before taking all the kids grocery shopping. I can shop with 5 in tow fairly easily, if the list is short. Sam's Club is a big, open warehouse, so it can be fun for the kids, especially when seasonal items arrive that interest them. But, when the list is long...because the fridge and cupboards have been empty a few days too many....that is when I pull out my wild card: Bribery!
A special treat can go a long way.
A special treat can go a long way.
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