Time-Tested Tips For a Fabulous Holiday Shopping Experience With Kids

It's time to hit the mall. Already you begin to feel the dreadful stirring in the pit of your stomach. And if you are shopping with your children, you'll shortly be giving them the speech about staying together, how crowded it's going to be, and that if they behave, you will (insert promise here). So off you go, with list in hand and delight in your heart.

Let's rewind a bit. First of all, shopping with children during this time of year does add concern. However, it can turn into a pleasant and memorable experience for all of you.

Consider these time-tested tips:

Accept the fact that you will not accomplish everything on your list.

Try to find joy in the experience. Your children react to your attitude.

Find "teaching moments."  The lack of, "please," "thank you," and "excuse me, please,"  can be a great reminder for your children. A whining child can be used to your advantage; without excessive staring of course.

Take several breaks. This can include browsing in a section that your children are interested in, sitting down for a delicious treat, popping into the restroom on a regular basis and including them in gift selections.

Avoid shopping during their nap time, hungry time, or when they're sick.  Sometimes adults get moody, become rude and inconsiderate, and walk around with sullen facial expressions. Why do we demand or expect children to be jovial and demonstrate proper manners at all times?

Most importantly, if you need to discipline, please move to the side and quietly and calmly discuss the offense. No one likes to be in the spotlight when being reprimanded.

"The hardest job kids face today is learning good manners without seeing any." —Fred Astaire

Happy holiday shopping. Have fun making memories and sharing the spirit of the season with others.

Rosalinda Oropeza Randall is an etiquette consultant who owns Your Relationship Edge in which she teaches classes and presents workshops to a variety of audiences. She can be reached at rosalinda@yourrelationshipedge.com and her website is www.yourrelationshipedge.com. She can also be reached on Facebook.