Is Grocery Shopping with your Child a Challenge?

With so many products competing for the shopper’s attention, the grocery store is a full-on assault of color, noise, and confusion. It can be a challenge for kids with sensory issues to navigate this environment. In recent years, grocery pickup and delivery have become available, and for parents who are able to plan ahead and take advantage of these options, they can be a lifesaver. Eventually, though, we end up back at the store, and sometimes with a kid in tow whose brain can’t quite take it all in. Today we’ll share some tips to make your grocery shopping trips a little easier. The best approach is to be prepared before you ever enter the store. Consider some of the following options for how to prepare: • Do heavy work prior to going to the store. • Before going to the store, put the washer on spin cycle and let him sit on top of the washer to get some good sensory input before going to the store (headphones can be used if sensitive to washer noise). • Bring fidget toys to distract and organize. • Add headphones if your child appears sensitive to the noise in the store. • Give the child a task to help him focus on an activity, such as counting something, looking at letters, finding the right cereal. • Bring a weighted vest, weighted stuffed animal, or ankle weights to help give some input during the time you are at the store. • Be aware that each child has different needs. Some hate the cart, while others need that confinement. Either way, letting your child run wild in the store is a bad idea. Best advice? Get out of there fast. Do your shopping and do not linger (don’t go without a list!)

Anticipate what sensory triggers will be present at the store, and prepare for them. Being a detective and planning ahead is always better than trying to fix what is broken. If you know your kiddo will want to go to the toy aisle and the answer is going to be “no” then you also know your kiddo may react poorly. Communicate with your child before and during the interaction to make sure he feels heard. Even if the answer is no, going through the request and denial of the request is better than trying to tell the child “it’s ok.” It is not ok – he is sad, mad, not getting what he wants, and does not feel heard. Keep the standard (no, you cannot have every toy you touch, for example) but hear the request. Try some of these tips the next time you head to the grocery store with your child. Carolyn Miller, MSOT, OTR/L Victoria Wood, OTR/L

Smart security. Professionally installed.

Protection starts with prevention

Know When People and Packages Arrive Peace of Mind Starts Here Get FREE Professional Installation and Four FREE Months of Monitoring Service*

One Connected System For Total Peace of Mind

Get FREE Professional Installation and Four FREE Months of Monitoring

Service* Use Promo Code 4FREE

CALL NOW TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR SYSTEM 855-958-3494

*Qualifying system purchase requires minimum $599.99 equipment purchase, professional installation and applicable services agreement. DIY system purchases and reactivations of previouslyinstalled systems not eligible for o er. O er not available in all states or provinces. Equipment purchase may be nanced separately subject to an agreement with one of Vivint’s third-party nancing partners. Monthly $1.48 cellular network maintenance fee applies. Taxes and local permit fees may apply. New Vivint Customers only. Financing eligibility and terms subject to credit approval by one of Vivint’s third-party nancing partners. Quali ed customers may nance equipment purchase at 0% APR for up to 60 months. Month-to-month service agreement available when equipment is purchased upfront. System supports up to six cameras subject to su cient WiFi speeds. Without a Vivint services plan, product and system functionality is limited (including loss of remote connectivity). Speak to a Vivint representative at the phone number in this o er for complete equipment, services, and package details, including pricing and nancing details. Products and services in Louisiana provided by Vivint Louisiana Commercial Certi cate #58280. See comprehensive Vivint license numbers on Vivint.com.