Things to do while waiting in line

By Amy H. and Jenn

It pounces on you like an animated Tigger. You're standing in the checkout line when your children realize they are so over holiday shopping. Whining becomes crying, crying becomes screaming and screaming becomes a full-blown temper tantrum. (And the children aren't behaving much better!) You have two choices: leave all your gifts in the cart and run for the nearest exit or try one of these tips instead.

• Whip out a magic erase board from your bottomless purse and have the children take turns drawing pictures of items in your cart.
• Start a game of I-Spy. Immediately lose so that your children do all of the spying while you try to squeeze in a power nap.
• Play the ever-popular game, "What's in Mommy's purse?" The winner gets to take all trash to the nearest trashcan.
• Have the kids load the purchases onto the counter like robots with sound effects and stiff movements.
• Finally, promise them a special holiday treat (aka, a bribe)!

Amy H. is a thirty-something SAHM and part-time psychology professor living in the deep South with her husband and two children. Jenn is a 36-year-old writer and mom who works from the Texas home she shares with her husband and three children.

Comments

[Susan]

If you have an iPhone or Ipad check out "A Family Matters" for more ideas. http://www.weinerfamilystudios.com/familymatters_itunes.php

[Hope Wilbanks]

LOL! Too funny. Hey, I think mine would go for the drawing and the robot ones. :) And while the power nap sounds delicious, I'm pretty doubtful of that ever happening for me. ;)

[Robin P]

Great post. You are both very creative. I wish I had these suggestions when Lillianna was younger. "What's in mommy's purse?" would've kept her busy for the whole day!! Even I don't know what's in there.
Happy holidays!!