Expect Good Behavior

This weekend I plan to do some serious spring-cleaning, the kind that is best done WITHOUT children around.  But, since my husband and eldest son are at a Men & Boys Campout for church, I will brave this spring cleaning with the other 6 children around my feet.  Actually, they will all help to some degree - even the 3 year-old (not so much the 7 month-old)!

In order to get ready for this monumental task, I needed to go to the store for the 19 items of cleaning supplies and organizational baskets.  I had to do the shopping TONIGHT (Friday, 7:45 PM) because I certainly didn't want to wake early tomorrow to deal with the Saturday shopping crowd and then come home.  I knew the kids were tired from a long week, but I had already fed them dinner so I told them we all had to pile in the van for a quick shopping trip.  Now, with 7 children, I try to make EVERY shopping trip super-quick lest any outbursts should arise!

We arrived to our destination around 8 PM and before we unbuckled our seat-belts, I reminded the kids of the behavior I expected: no screaming, no crying, no loud voices (the 3 year-old seems to shout rather than speak each word), no touching items, no touching each other, for those who walk -  hands on the cart at all times, and walk quickly.  Likewise, I reminded the kids that if I had to say their name more than once for any of the above infractions, there would be consequences at home.  I also told them that if they obeyed the rules, our trip would indeed be super-quick and there would be time to watch a movie at home before bedtime.

Every time before we arrive at a destination, I remind the kids of the rules and the behavior that is required of them.  You would think that I overdo it or that they begin to tune me out, but they don't.  My kids know the boundaries and they know the discipline they will receive if they overstep those boundaries.  It is amazing how well children will behave when they understand there are consequences for their behavior.  I am often asked, "Why do you take ALL the kids with you when you shop, do errands?"  People look at me like I'm crazy for doing so simply because they cannot shop with ONE toddler or small child.  But, honestly, I take the kids because #1: I like to spend time with them (even if it is running errands) and #2 they need to learn how to behave in public in various places and situations.  Expect good behavior from your children, discipline when they don't deliver it, reward/praise them when they do, and always be consistent with your expectations, discipline, and rewards/praises.

So, how did tonight's shopping trip go?  We entered the doors at 8:05, found all of our supplies, and exited at 8:35 PM.  The kids were AWESOME!!!  As we walked throughout the store, people did glance our way to observe the kids.  One woman even commented how well-behaved they were to which my eldest daughter (age 11) smiled and said, "Thank you" and then gave me a wink.  Now, if only tomorrow's spring cleaning would go as smoothly and quickly!