First, Then
You know this day. You have had this day. The errand is completely unavoidable! The kids are with you and you need to get it done.
For me, July 6 was the day every elastic in the one bathing suit I owned gave up, gave in and could no longer hold me in the suit! Swimsuit shopping with two young boys was about the last thing I wanted to do. I don’t even like bathing suit shopping on my own. On this particular day, I brought coloring books, gathered every suit that I thought might fit and went to the dressing room where I set up my boys with coloring supplies.
We got through it and I rewarded the boys with a trip to the educational store to pick out a small toy or puzzle. Michael chose a sticker puzzle, an activity he still loves to this day.
Schedule Changes and Unplanned Events
- Add something for the kids AFTER you have accomplished your goal.
- Make the schedule clear. FIRST, mom shopping, THEN toy store.
- Have a bin of activities in the car to help get you through unplanned events (shopping or a lunch out or God forbid, the emergency room).
A few ideas to keep in the car:
- coloring pages and crayons
- markers or colored pencils
- fidget toys
- magic coloring books
- non-perishable snacks
- small play-doh containers
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About the Author
Erica Mauro is a mom to two teenage boys, Will who is neurotypical and Michael with Autism and cognitive delays. She holds a BA in Psychology from Colgate University and a Masters of Psychology in Education from Columbia Teacher’s College. Before staying home with her children, she worked as an elementary school teacher. For five years, she served on the Board of Directors of the Molly Ann Tango Memorial Foundation, a charity dedicated to enriching the lives of children with special needs. In partnership with her husband Dave, she aspires to parent by using daily life as an opportunity for therapeutic intervention, seizing on real experiences as opportunities to build skills and strategies for Michael in a joyful, loving home environment. On the tougher early days, she just tried to get everyone safely to bedtime and start fresh in the morning. *wink* 
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