Simple. You DON”T!
I am a stay at home mum who has to take my son almost everywhere I go including shopping. It is a nightmare but we have to eat. Some days are better than others but most, I am pulling my hair out. It is like the moment we get into the supermarket he just has to be at his worst behaviour.
I have tried many different things like him helping me with putting things in cart or bribing him with a snack. I also make a list which I always forget to use in all the confusion that ensues. Some days this works but some days he does not want any of this. He will decide he does not want to sit in the cart and wants to walk and then decide he wants to roll on the floor. For no reason at all. Or just that he is two!
Of course this is a passing phase but right now it makes wish I could shop for milk online. Actually I could but the company that does it here adds a premium that I am not willing to pay. Perhaps I should.
What would really work is me moving back to Zimbabwe. My mother or mother-in-law will do anything to spend time with Leo and I am sure they would look after him while I go shopping.
Speaking of my mom, now that is a clever woman. When we were little she never took us shopping unless it was necessary. That decision was easy for her because she had someone at home with us. As a child I thought she was mean for not taking us with her, now I realise she had a good reason for it.
If you must take the toddler with you then watch this video. I have tried some of these with varying success but it may work for you.
If you have advice for a mom with a temper-tantrum-throwing two year old please let me know. Or share your stories so I don’t feel like it’s just me.