Top Tips for Combating Pester Power

We know as parents, you’re well versed in saying no when your kids are pestering for confectionery ‘conveniently’ displayed at their exact eye level at the supermarket. For readers of Mum’s Lounge though, we’ve revisited our page of tips on combating pester power. And, yes, we know the best tip is to try and go shopping sans kids! However, for those times when it just can’t be helped, here are some tried and true methods to tackle pester power.

• Wherever possible, take your kids shopping on a full belly.
• Research suggests the average consumer has very little chance of avoiding snack food displays, so try and set clear boundaries with your kids. Talk about which foods they can eat at anytime, and which foods are okay ‘sometimes’.
• Set aside one day a week for a treat. Then, during a weekly shop, kids can purchase a treat in preparation. This will (hopefully!) limit pester power at the supermarket.
• Look at nutrition labels on packaged and processed food with your children. Talk about the ingredients and what they should look out for.
• Experiment with new foods, and explore healthy new options. Let your kids take part in the grocery shopping and allow them pick out some of the food to take home. For example, let your kids pick which fruit and vegetables you buy. Then you can involve them in the cooking process.
• If they’re old enough, talk about advertising with your kids and discuss why food is positioned where it is in the supermarket, advertising on packets and how advertising works.
• Food corporations pay for the best exposure for their food. Key products (the ones with the greatest profit margins, or those that have paid a premium) will be placed at the ends of aisles in end cap displays. However, kids look at whatever you’re looking at. So if you ignore these, chances are higher that your kids will too.
• Talk to your kids about food openly and honestly, and take their questions seriously.
• Got some more tips to add to our collection?

Corrina is one half of the team at the not for profit organisation The Parents’ Jury and a minute percentage of the thousands of our members across Australia who are interested in improving the food and activity environment of children. Check us out and join. It’s free!