One easy tip that has drastically improved our behavior in public
February 1, 2010
Whether it’s the store, a restaurant, church, someone’s house, the Dr.’s office — anywhere outside of our house — there is great potential to encounter “issues” when galavanting around town. I already told you how we try to keep little people occupied while we’re out and about, but there’s another simple thing I do in an effort to nip any nonsense in the bud: I simply go over the expectations for behavior in the car prior to arriving at our destination.
So, for example, a few minutes before we are going to pile out of the car at the grocery store, I turn off all music and make sure everyone is listening. I then say something like:
“We’re going to the grocery store. Use your inside voice. J & A, you will ride in the cart. H & I, you will WALK close to the cart. Do not ask to buy anything. You may look but you may not touch anything in the cash register line. Does everyone understand?”
The key is to keep it short, sweet and clear. If there are any problems in the store, a reminder about what we talked about in the car is usually enough to straighten things out. Of course it doesn’t work every time, but it’s amazing how often it does.
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Comments
6 Responses to “One easy tip that has drastically improved our behavior in public”
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Hi, I'm Amy. I teach people how to blog, I collect, organize & share free homeschooling resources, I am was the pastor's wife, I'm co-raising 4 kiddos, and I have issues. Read more about me here or find out how to contact me here.
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February 1st, 2010 @ 1:19 pm
I also do this and most of the time it works. I’ve found it’s especially helpful for the cart situation for my 3 y/o.
We also do something similar when going to appointments, etc. This way they know ahead of time what I expect of them (ie, “no talking unless you’re spoken to”) – it works especially well for dr. appointments where I need to be able to actually talk to the dr.
.-= Laura V.´s last blog ..What to do with those old military uniforms =-.
February 1st, 2010 @ 1:25 pm
I have a similar approach. Plus, if we’re going to be in and out of a number of stores, I try to make the last stop the one with the free suckers (dum-dums) at the checkout. My 3yo knows that she can only have one if she’s been good the whole time. It’s an easy reward system that doesn’t cost me anything!
.-= Ashley´s last blog ..Brainstorming & Brownies =-.
February 1st, 2010 @ 9:41 pm
Amen, sista. Clear expectations from the start is the way to go.
I love your posts. I do.
Cheers to Monday!
February 2nd, 2010 @ 6:28 am
Good idea about the suckers – for us that’s the bank!
February 2nd, 2010 @ 6:29 am
Yeah, it’s amazing how well it works in all circumstances.
February 2nd, 2010 @ 6:29 am
Thanks.