Hot on HuffPost Parents:
Susan Maushart: Digital Guilt: Mommy, Her iPad, and Me
Jim Medalia: Mentoring or Meddling - When Do You Stop Parenting?
DailyDish - Get your kids involved in your errands
Filed under: Preschoolers, Big Kids, Chores, Shopping
Dragging your kids along on errands is difficult -- unless it's their errands.
You need conditioner, light bulbs, and coffee filters; your son needs new underwear. You need to get a passport for your upcoming vacation. Your high school reunion is just around the corner and you need a new outfit, stat. But, you have kids and, let's face it, they'll be bored to tears and making your life a living hell if you even think about trying to get this sort of task done, right? Wrong.
The trick is to make your errands their errands. At the store, play dumb and act like you can't find the conditioner; have your kids find it instead. Even if they're looking everywhere except where it is right in front of them, it's still better than having them get bored. If you've got paperwork to fill out, ask them for the answers to questions. If they can't come up with the right answer on their own, offer some wrong answers before suggesting the right one. "Is mommy's name PepperoniPizzaBox?"
Shopping for clothes? Praise them for their amazing fashion sense and tell them you need their help to find just the right outfit. Make them feel grown-up and useful and they'll be all about helping you get things done.
You need conditioner, light bulbs, and coffee filters; your son needs new underwear. You need to get a passport for your upcoming vacation. Your high school reunion is just around the corner and you need a new outfit, stat. But, you have kids and, let's face it, they'll be bored to tears and making your life a living hell if you even think about trying to get this sort of task done, right? Wrong.
The trick is to make your errands their errands. At the store, play dumb and act like you can't find the conditioner; have your kids find it instead. Even if they're looking everywhere except where it is right in front of them, it's still better than having them get bored. If you've got paperwork to fill out, ask them for the answers to questions. If they can't come up with the right answer on their own, offer some wrong answers before suggesting the right one. "Is mommy's name PepperoniPizzaBox?"
Shopping for clothes? Praise them for their amazing fashion sense and tell them you need their help to find just the right outfit. Make them feel grown-up and useful and they'll be all about helping you get things done.
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
Recently Asked
- This is not a question. But their NO!!!!! such thing of a perfect parent like every thing in all our life is a learning experience.One thing we all pa...
- How can I help my 20 yr old son deal with being an unexpected father. He never wanted kids. I have known that for years. But accidents happen. Condoms...
- Why dose my litle girl pee like a boy, And is it ok ?????
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
Non Expert Advice for Stock Market Predictions
Stock Market Expert Ric Edelman talks about ridiculous stock market predictions by the media and other non experts.
-
What Does It Mean to Be an Expert Patient
In this medical health video PJ Hamel explains what it means to be an Expert Patient for HealthCentral.
-
The Role of Professional Advice in Quitting Cigarettes
This video by TV360 offers you expert advice on quitting cigarettes and how professional advice can help you accomplish it.
-
Finance Tips from Female Financial Experts
All week we've been bringing you action from the more magazine reinvention convention. From fashion to fitness, and now finance. Judy Goss is on the scene to talk money matters with some top female financial experts.
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family