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Is it Really Monday? Marshalls Rescue Gift Card #giveaway

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Today was one of those days where I can’t wait for it to be over. I’m so tired and my head is spinning from everything that needs to be done, minus the dishes because my husband came home and did them. There are toys everywhere and I feel like every time I clean them up one of my two children will just dump the bin. So today, I didn’t even try.

I think the last straw was the poop on the carpet. We had a bath, cleaned up the carpet, and I just want to pretend none of it happened and it’s only Monday. What a way to start out the week. At least my DH got home just in time for me because I was so tired I was going to put the kids down to bed after bath time regardless of what time it was.

marshalls_hologo08 I went to Marshalls today because they were sponsoring a Father’s Day Post that hasn’t been done yet. Can you tell that Father’s Day has come and gone and I’m behind. Well, there is so much to choose from there that I couldn’t decide to get with the 25.00 they gave me. I picked up socks and two outfits and this and that and my kids were screaming at me the whole time. I couldn’t concentrate on what to purchase. I really wanted to get myself a cute outfit. My husband had told me to get myself something. He was able to get all of his clothing and everything he needed for Father’s Day at a different store. I saw something that caught my eye but my daughter had a complete melt down at the exact same time so finding it in my size was impossible. I had to drag my daughter out of the store, actually I carried her out because I felt like we were making a scene as it was.

So what can I do to make it up to Marshalls? They were trying to rescue my Father’s Day gift and I was trying to treat myself. Marshalls I thank you for the 25.00 and to show my appreciation I’m going to give it away on my blog. You’ll get more advertising this way. (wink wink)

To Enter:

Tell me how to shop with two children in a store like Marshalls? Two toddlers?

Extra Entries:

None Bloggers get and extra entry for every e-mail they send out linking to this giveaway cc louise@looksblue.com (be sure to leave a comment for every person you e-mail, for example if you e-mail 10 different people leave 10 different comments)

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Blog about the giveaway include a link to me for five extra entries
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Leave a comment for every entry and the giveaway ends July 20th.

The contest will run until Monday July 20th 11:59 pm Pacific. The winner will be selected by www.random.org.

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Comments

  34. well first I would try & get my mom to watch them hehe but seriously it would be a tandem stroller, snacks, juice cups & knowing exactly what I wanted.

    Reply

  42. Personally, I would say to have a friend come too ~ or find a friend who could watch them for a little bit.

    Reply

  51. I think the only way you can shop in a store like Marshall’s with two toddlers is to either wait until they’re older or get your husband (or some other trusted adult or teen) to watch them while you go shopping. It’s nearly impossible to shop for clothes for yourself with kids “in tow.”
    (Sorry I can’t really be much help.)

    roseinthemorning [at] gmail [dot] com

    Reply

  59. Never shop alone with two toddlers. Call a friend and say lets go shopping and hand her a child.

    Reply

  70. I shop early in the morning, when the kids just finished eating. I also bring a couple of toys to keep the occupied and I shop quickly.
    Thanks.

    Reply

  75. Go to the toy section first and let them choose something that is different than anything else they have so it will keep their attention. Then let them play with it while you look at clothes.

    Reply

  77. You shop in a store like Marshalls with several adults. One to do the shopping and one to take the toddlers aroound looking at things they may want to see, but the adult wwith the children ouldn’t be shopping, really, that adult would be preoccupying the children.

    http://lebizyb.blogspot.com/
    lebizyb(at)q(dot)com

    Reply

  79. Plan your trip to Marshall’s early in the day. Have your kids well fed, well rested and bring along a snack or two. Something special they usually don’t have. After that you can take them for the unnecessary shopping for milk, eggs and bread. 😉
    Good luck!

    Reply

  84. if you have to take them have stories on tape so they can listen to it or music in a kid safe ipod/player…if they are old enough you can actually ask them to hold things- hold this for mom, or whoever is quietest or if you both are wuiet will go out for lunch- to the park, etc

    Reply

  90. Can I leave them at home with grandma and sneak out during nap time? If not, I agree with everyone else – bring snacks, toys, juice, etc.
    skg(dot)teach@gmail(dot)com

    Reply

  97. Bring a friend along. My friend loves the little break she gets when I go with her when she’s toting along her two kids to a store/mall. Of course I don’t mind since it’s my God-daughter and God-nephew. Plus, it lets us have time to socialize since we hardly see each other.

    Reply

  98. I was thinking a double stroller and some toys maybe even electronic style that will keep them engrossed.

    Reply

  101. I would promise them a surprise for good behavior… so that way, out of curiosity, they’d behave! Plus it can’t hurt to have snacks and toys with you!

    Reply

  105. Use a stroller and remember to bring a toy or two and have (healthy) snacks for them if they get hungry!

    Reply

  111. Make sure they’re rested and fed. Keep the shopping expedition a brief as possible.

    Thanks for the contest. Happy Fourth of July!

    Reply

  114. How to shop with two toddlers? I remember it being close to impossible. I would play the I Spy game a lot….Also, I know we as parents should do this, but giving the kids a cookie if they behave isnt hurting anyone, is it?

    Reply

  115. I have never actually encountered this problem, but I would suggest playing a quiet game with them – maybe I Spy?

    Reply

  116. I’ve been there w/ 3 under 3 and I put one in the car seat in the front of the cart, another in the back and I had to hold the other’s hand. It is tough but can be done.

    Reply

  117. It would be a good idea to give them a book or a pad of paper to draw on. You can ask them to make pictures of their favorite clothes and different outfits they like in the store. This can be a lot of fun for them while you search the racks!

    Reply

  121. Take lots of snacks! I always put suckers or some other type of candy in my purse and if they’re good in the changing room, they get a piece.

    Reply

  123. It’s always helpful to have another person around, so bring a friend who’s great with kids!

    Reply

  127. Definitely a toy from the store but make sure it’s clean cause everyone does the same thing. In no way , I mean no way take it away from them until after you are ready to check out.

    Reply

  129. I would let them bring their leapfrog or nintendo ds. It would keep them busy while I got what I needed finished.

    Reply

  130. Take a baggie with a snack and let them take a toy also. Then promise them you will do something special if they behave.

    Reply

  132. Make a deal with a neighbor to watch them for you while you shop and you can watch hers when she wants to shop. They are really happier that way (and so are you).

    Reply

  138. My girls are adults now, but I would think that if you pushed them in a double stroller, and kept drinks and snacks handy, that would keep them busy and out of trouble. Good luck!

    Reply

  142. Bring a friend to help if not then bring snacks, books, toys or things to keep them occupied while you look.

    Reply

  151. If you bring drinks and snacks as so many people have said, better make sure they are not spillable or able to be scattered. Stores don’t like that either! I almost always did my shopping on my way home from work, and before I picked up kids, so this is not a problem I had very often. But I did try to do it when the kids were fresh from naps, since I found that they were much less apt to make a huge fuss if they were not too tired.

    Reply

  152. I play I Spy with my son. It keeps him occupied and I can do it while I shop. I also resort to bribery. 😉

    Reply

  157. The only way to shop with toddlers is to not shop with toddlers. I wait till the weekend and leave them home with their dad while I shop, it is my sanity at stake and he knows that

    Reply

  179. Put them in the cart (I know they have small carts though, lol) and give them something to hold and look at (that is toddler proof!) and shop quickly. 🙂

    Reply

  184. I always got a pillow from the home section and put it in the bottom of the cart(more comfy that way) and then headed to the book section and picked out a few books for them to look at while I shopped. Books always kept my kids entertained. And yes, I always put the books and pillow back where they belong when I was done shopping. 🙂

    Reply

  193. I never found it easy to shop with toddlers. The only success I seemed to have was with a quick trip and lots of distractions (treats, toys, etc) while keeping them in the stroller.

    Reply

  197. When you find out, I wish you would let me know. I’m usually close to insanity after shopping with mine.

    Reply

  203. My current kids are bigger now (even though they still try to hide in the clothes racks) but when they were toddler I just tossed them both in the back of the cart.

    Reply

  214. I would leave them with someone trustworthy and if that was not an option, I would take them after they have had afternoon nap and take a light snack with me.

    Reply

  223. LOL – my kids wouldn’t still be alive if I’d ever had to go shopping with them! Bur seriously, I would go right before something they WANT to do. So you could tell them that you’ll go to the park or whatever as soon as you get done shopping in one store. But if they cause too much trouble, then you won’t have time to do what it is they wanted to do. NEVER bribe them with candy at the checkout – then they will grow up thinking that they can get whatever they want by causing trouble.

    Reply

  228. Hold ones hand and put one in a buggy, thats how to shop at Marshall’s if you ask me. skyskyaa11(at)gmail.com

    Reply

  233. oh i wish i could tell you. Trust me when i say sometimes my toddler is better behaved then my pre teen!

    Reply

  253. lol, i just wouldn’t go =) i hate even going with 1 toddler =) but you could bring some books & snacks to keep them busy

    autumn398 @ yahoo.com

    Reply

  257. The key to shopping with my kids is extra adults. I can rarely shop without my husband there to entertain the kids.

    Reply

  274. Make sure the kids have had a nap and have eaten before you go shopping. Take a snack, a drink or some water, and their favorite toy. Happy shopping!

    Reply

  280. I only have a 3 month old, so I’m not sure the best way to keep toddlers entertained, but I would try snacks and small toys to keep them occupied!! Thanks!

    Reply

  287. I had two toddlers, 18 months apart. I always bribed them with a trip to McDonald’s, a Happy Meal and playing at the playground. It cost all of $4 to deliver on that promise and they loved it. It just took one time of taking it away, two unhappy kids who missed their playdate together and they straightened up when I said, “Do you want to go to McDonald’s? Your behaviour is saying you do not.”

    But keep in mind that toddlers have a short attention span. Expecting them to be good at shopping for more than about an hour is expecting too much. The times I pushed it we were all miserable and in tears!

    Thanks for having the giveaway!

    Reply

  289. Bring some snack, something to drink for them and something what would keep them entertained for a while (lego, doll, car, ….)

    Reply

  291. I’d put the two kids in a cart… one in front, one sitting in the back portion and have juice boxes and little snack for them and some toys. Another idea would be taking a girlfriend without kids who can stay with them while you look on aisles with breakable things. Thanks for the chance!

    Reply

  294. It’s been fun reading everyone’s advice, I was raised on the ‘look’ I knew what each one meant! I use it today on my nephews and niece and they too know what it means. I wouldn’t have to go through any of the stuff mentioned. I’d just give them the look! They usually behave!

    Reply

  302. you shop very quickly with snacks and a few toys, and maybe an older sibling to kinda keep aneye out

    Reply

  304. I have two children, and I suggest putting them both in the cart (one in the top and one in the back) and allowing them to hold a toy from the store. They are separate, so no arguing (not that our toddlers would ever argue!) and they like the new item long enough for you to shop. At the end of the adventure, put your toy back, or purchase it for them…your choice. This works well for me in Marshalls, in the grocery store, and at the super stores.

    Reply

  315. If possible, bring a friend along to help keep your kids busy. Not possible, try playing a game like eye spy or Simon Says while you are browsing the racks.

    Reply

  320. I find shopping anywhere with kids in tow to be a chore! Bring something to drink and stop by the toy section first to let them play with something while in the store.

    Reply

  323. How would I shop at Marshall’s with two young kids?

    1. Use a grocery cart/double stroller and have some snacks (Gold Fish/Juice)

    2. The best idea: leave them at home with DADDY! 🙂

    nancyecdavis @ bellsouth. net
    (remove spaces)

    Reply

  333. I signed up to win Norman Wear your music bracelet

    nancyecdavis @ bellsouth. net
    (remove spaces)

    Reply

  336. those backpack leashes work really well with a lot of kids i saw a lot of those working in retail.

    amandasixx at hotmail dot com

    Reply

  337. Stroller, toys (something they do not play with often so it is special) and snacks are the key to a good shopping experience…

    Reply

  352. I would bring someone along that could help keep a watchful eye on the kids, its going to be painstakingly difficult by yourself.

    Reply

  368. Well, you can use either Benadryl or Kiddy Valuum – Just kidding!!!

    I have 5 kids and when I had to take them with me I would know what I was looking for in advance and run for it! Go ahead and buy a cheap dollar store type toy and dangle it in front of their tiny faces with the promise of having it if well behaved. Or you could leave them at home locked in the closet – Just Kidding!!

    Reply

  375. I bring a friend and her kids- the kids generally entertain eachother, and if they need some asstance, we moms ‘swap off’ browsing and caring for the little ones!

    Reply

  383. I hate shopping with my kids, but I have little choice. The best way is to stick them in a cart, like a little prison for them so they can’t run away. (give them something to play with so they aren’t whining)

    Reply

  385. Cheerios are a must for us. And we always grab a toy first thing to play with, but with the knowledge that most of the time it’s a store-only toy. It doesn’t go home with us.

    Reply

  394. let them pick out a toy from the store to play with while you are in the store. Then when you are ready to go, have them put the toy back where it came from because it “lives” there.

    Reply

  409. My children are grown now, but when they were little I always tried to shop after breakfast, and I remember I had a gadget that attached to the shopping cart handle that had toys clipped to it, which kept the baby occupied. I would reward their good behavior with a treat afterward, such as a trip to a park, library, or dollar store where they could buy 1 item.

    Reply

  415. While I’m not above putting my kids on lockdown in carts or in the sling or giving snacks, my favorite thing to do is play “I spy”. It distracts them while you look through racks. “I spy a light”, “I spy a shirt” it worked well with my daughter.

    Reply

  419. I would suggest lots of time-consuming distracting toys and try to keep it as brief as possible! Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply

  439. Don’t…hire a sitter or swap errands with a friend. Mine are 17 and 19 and I still don’t take them shopping with me, they want too much 🙂 Shopping alone is good for the soul! Thanks for the great contest.

    Reply

  440. Make sure you bring grandma! You could also put them in a cart, go to the children’s section and let them pick out one thing to carry around the store. Make it clear to them that you are not going to purchase the items, they are just special treats for shopping time.

    Reply

  441. A combination of bribery and threats? Actually, I let mine pick out something tiny that they really like right at the beginning, and tell them they only get to keep it if the behavior is stellar.

    Reply

  467. Wow – I don’t have any advice – my kids have always loved to shop, even when they were little. I’d say bribery (with candy) would probably do the trick! Oh, and don’t let them walk or you’ll be chasing them instead of finding cute clothes – put them in the cart or a stroller.

    Reply

  470. Your best bet would probably be to hire a mother’s helper/babysitter to go allow with you while you shop. In our town, many teen girls are willing to help out with little kids for some extra money. If you can’t do this, you could have a friend go with you to help or leave the kids at home with someone. Another option would be to bring things to entertain the kids while you shop!
    Cassie

    Reply

  471. 1. Prep. Give the kids a short nap and feed them something nutritious and without sugar. ZERO sugar.

    2. Containment. You have to fit them both into a cart or a stroller. At least get one in and get a tot strap that hooks onto the cart to keep the other one in check. It’s not “mean”, it’s safety.

    3. Entertainment. Books, a Leapfrog, a singing toy, whatever fascinates them for a short time.

    Reply

  474. I always bring snack&drink
    Also let them look at some things they like

    ahdrad2932(at)msn(dot)com

    Reply

  475. I’m terrible. I either let them bring their gameboys, or I bribe them with snacks if they can be good. Thaqnks for the great giveaway.

    Reply

  478. I have twin 2 1/2 year olds, and when I go shopping, I usually spray down the cart with lysol, and put them inside! If they want to get down, they know that one of their hands has to always hold onto the cart!

    Reply

  485. Two words: Prescription sedatives. Just kidding!

    Find a friend or family member to babysit for you while you shop. Trade babysitting services with another mom with kids about the same age. I’m sure you know someone who’d appreciate a few hours of time to herself, too.

    Reply

  486. Definitely bring a double stroller – don’t tempt them! I agree with others – snacks toys- we have a toddler video player – specificallly for toddlers to use and don’t be afraid to bribe them. And keep it short, no what you want. For browsing with kidshenice thing about thisday and age is most stores are on theinternet – i thinkits worth the mailing fee if any. Many sores will deliver to thestore = noshipping fee – so you browse online, order and go to pick up at the store saves a lot of trouble. Kids understandably get bored. I still do and I’m an adult and the smell and fluerescent lighting of most stores give me a headache and I just get tired having my senses assaulted and overwhelmed…I wonder if thats the way with kids too.

    Reply

  490. The way that you shop with two toddlers is to bring dad along. He watches the kids and you make it up to him later in the sexy lingerie that you purchase while shopping.

    Reply

  495. The best way to shop with two kids is to let your kids know that you won’t shop for a long time. Have a certain amount of time that you will be in the store and if they act up, let them know that you will shop longer.

    Reply

  501. Bring their favorite toys and do it in the morning when they are less cranky (at least mine are)

    Reply

  505. I haven’t figured this out yet, but appreciate the advice given here!! I just try distraction, distraction, distraction.

    Reply

  506. We always told the kids, from a early age, that if they weren’t in the (double) stroller they had to have their hand on the stroller. No running in the store etc.( bags of cheerios work wonders also)

    Reply

  508. Load them into a shopping cart (always good to keep them contained so one doesn’t run off) and keep them occupied with food (goldfish, something sweet, etc). Remember, “contained & occupied.” Works like a charm. 🙂 macd82 at gmail dot com

    Reply

  509. YIKES! My advice is for you to take a valium before going (okay….just kidding). I have no great advice except has already been given. Make sure you go when they’re refreshed and not grumpy. Take snacks and fun toys.

    Reply

  510. Sandwich the shopping between two kid friendly activities like making a snack together and a visit to a playground.

    Reply

  523. The toddlers must be in a cart (at the bottom of the cart on a small blanket if need be, if they don’t fit into the top part where you wheel the cart) with toys that they love! Never even think of having them outside of the cart!

    Reply

  534. toys, juice i bring someone else with me mom, friend, always hurry try to make a game asking them to help point out things we should buy

    Reply

  536. I don’t go shopping with my 2 girls without my dh. My oldest daughter (9) helps us out with our youngest daughter (5) too. They are older so they know that they are not allowed to leave our sides. It was harder when they were younger. We usually carried the youngest around because she hated the stroller and the buggy.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply

  537. Two invaluable tools I’ve learned works wonders when shopping with kids are the portable gaming system and the portable DVD player – with headphones, of course! Both can keep kids occupied and entertained in the cart while shopping (and in the car to and from the store).

    Thanks for the great giveaway!

    gkaufmanss@yahoo.com

    Reply

  553. Wow with my kids I only ever had to remove two of them one time each after that just saying if they didn’t behave we would just leave worked.

    I am not above bribery, though and when I took all 4 girls to the market or wherever I would say you can pick out one cereal or snack or fruit or whatever and if you act up it goes back.

    Ian is different and he just doesn’t care so mostly Kyra tries to pawn him off on me or we bring at least 2 adults.

    Reply

  555. uh my sister had a really tough time shopping with one toddler unless she shopped with someone else, so my suggestion is to bring a childless friend or two to run after your kids while you shop for what you need! I suppose you could put a leash on the kids, but I really hate to see that!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply

  559. I’m not a mom (yet, maybe someday) but I know it takes me a long time to shop in Marshall’s so I would have to bring toys for two toddlers to keep them occupied while I search for bargains 🙂

    Reply

  564. With two toddlers the best thing to do is mix it up. Mommy wants to look at shirts now. Soon it will be your turn to look at the stuffed animals. Also bring a friend or rek=lative to help out when you are changing clothes. Thanks for the chance to win!

    Reply

  565. Shopping with two toddlers is much easier that bringing along two teenagers. Rules are set early on and the children know that good behavior is always recognized and rewarded. They do love the surprise rewards,

    Reply

  568. I’ve been to Marshall’s with my son before. He usually falls asleep in the stroller or I give him random things in the store to play with.

    Reply

  586. keep special toys hid away in bag for just the right time they are needed lol.
    I feel for you.
    ty 4 your kindness in this giveaway:)
    I pray the LORD blesses you:)

    Reply

  587. I would say, first and foremost, that it is important to watch the kids at all times. I really get nervous when I see some parents walking off and leaving their little ones in the cart. I like to have my husband with me if I am taking little ones shopping, so that we can take turns watching them.

    Reply

  588. I would keep them in the stroller with a few
    toys and snacks,make sure they are fastened in
    and shop away.Just make sure it’s not doing
    nap time because then they become grumpy

    Reply

  591. For one full year, I had three kids with me constantly. When the oldest started preschool, it was time to shop. I would make sure they were not hungry or tired. I put them both inside the basket and they would entertain each other. One hand and one eye was constantly on the kids. Time flies.

    Reply

  595. Shop early while they are still rested. Bring snacks that are easy to hold on to and definitely not messy! Keep a few toys back that they don’t get to play with regularly or new inexpensive ones. Things they don’t see often are more intriguing than the things they have every day.

    Reply

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