Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Creative parenting = produce hunt???

Being a homeschool mom, I almost always have my kids with me. For every errand, big or small, I tote my kids along with me. This does call for some creativity and team work when we have to be out and about. My girls have learned to do their school work in a waiting room, or listen to stories on CD in the car. They understand that I have to wait for them at birthday parties or to play at the park and I expect them to do the same when I need them to be patient while I scour the shelves for a certain product in the store.

To make one of my least favorite chores a little more enjoyable I have come up with the produce hunt. If you know me, you know that I don't enjoy grocery shopping. I find it one of the least enjoyable tasks to do each week. But, taking care of my family is part of my job, and so each Tuesday I hit the local market to stock up. When we get to the produce department, the kids ask for a produce hunt. I describe something and they have to find it.

Here's how it goes..."I am small and round and furry, what am I?" Girls start hunting...eventually someone says kiwi. Next week it goes like this..."I am round and brown, what am I?" Potato? No. Onion? No. "I am also kind of hairy." Coconut. (you get the idea).

This tends to give me enough time to find what I need in that department and then continue on with my shopping. I am running out of ideas on different fruit or veggies, but they do love the game.

13 comments:

Lulu said...

Oh that IS creative and sounds like great fun...

But for now I will stick to doing my shopping on the internet. :)

crispy said...

Do you mean that you shop for food on the net??? If so, do tell...

greta said...

Too funny and VERY creative! I like it. I will have to try that one out on our next trip as well.

junglemama said...

How creative! I should try that with my kids.

Tiffany said...

Now that's fun. I hadn't thought of letting them "play" while I shop. The produce is a good department to do it in because it is wide open so you can keep an eye on them.

5Gustos said...

You're very creative. My kids are always with me too, so we'll have to try it soon.

Christy said...

my boys LOVE the produce area, we usually divide and conquer, I'll get the tomatoes, Jacob apples, Joseph citrus, etc. Even Jonny gets in on things by counting.

Susan said...

You are a good, creative mom!

Randi Sue said...

Sounds fun!

Julie said...

You are so much fun...that's why you fit right in:)!

Lee and Bev said...

Such a natural teacher, you are! How about some interesting herbs or vegetables that you don't buy like jicama, ugli fruit, turnips, sage, sprouts, etc. Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Twyska said...

My SIL lives in Minnesota and she's able to order her groceries online. She has to pay a delivery fee of $4 and tells them when to deliver! Nothing like that in our area though.

Annie said...

How cute.... Now you have to get really educational.... "I see the fruit that can provide a whole day's worth of vitamin C... Or the vegetable that has the most potassium"

No - I wouldn't probably go that far, either!