Shopping with children can be fun, just make sure you set boundaries
Taking the children shopping with you may seem harmless and an easy way to keep them entertained for a while, but how much is it really costing you?
Well, apparently it costs £435 a year.
New figures released by Littlewoods.com revealed that UK parents spend an additional and un-planned £435 extra per year when they take their little ones shopping with them.
The survey of 2,000 adults showed that kids turn on the tears and tantrums to get what they wany, with the average child having perfected the art at two years and seven months old.
Shockingly, one in ten kids under the age of one are already a master at spotting what they want and doing whatever it takes in order to get it.
It seems that we're becoming a nation of push-over parents too, as four in five UK mums and dads admit to giving it to their kids. Despite the fact that money is tight at the moment.
The kids pester power wish list:
- Chocolate and sweets - 55 per cent
- Toys - 41 per cent
- Magazine - 24 per cent
- Books - 22 per cent
- DVD - 8 per cent
What's more, the data shows how UK parents aren't just being hit from a financial perspective, their heads hurt too. Over 75 per cent say shopping with their kids sends their stress levels through the roof.
Here are our top tips on how to shop with stress and with your children:
1. Get organised - make a list before going shopping of what you need, this way you can have a clear idea what you're going for and can be as quick as possible
2. Talk to them - tell your child exactly what you expect when you're both out shopping. Good behaviour, no shouting or screaming
3. Get them involved - if your child is slightly older make them a little list of items for them to find in the supermarket. Pretending it's a game will not only keep them occupied, but they might look forward to going again