Black Friday shopping WITH KIDS

[TooBoyz4us]

I get to go Black Friday shopping this year WITH my dh!! He is off for the first time in years and years.
I usually run out on that day, just to be a part of the crowd, and take my kids with.

This year, we have tried and tried to find a babysitter to no avail. Had the in-laws lined up, but that fell apart today. My FIL is taking dialysis three times a week now and I just can't put more stress on my MIL.

So, it looks like if we want to go shopping, it will be with kids.
My boys are 11 & 13, and I usually feel comfortable letting them go to electronics or toys while I shop as long as they stay together. But with all the crazy shoppers that day, I feel like they would get run over in those departments.
Sigh......any suggestions from those of you who will have to take your kids with you on Friday?

 

[pyrxtc]

keep them with you and give them a list of things you want cuz they can run faster and can squish into smaller spaces through the crowds to get it first1 Good Luck!!

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

You are WAY braver than me!! I vote to leave DH at home with the kids and shop alone. It would be hard to get presents for them if they are there......and the crowds!! UGGGGGG!! I love Black Friday shopping, it's one of my favorite holiday traditions, but I do it ALONE. My DH is home with the boys, so I don't feel rushed or have to hear "mom, we're hungry, mom, can we go now, mom, can I have this............" Alone is my vote!!

 

[dudedisney]

GO ALONE! It's not worth the hassle to have the kids with you 'cause they will tire out fast, you can't shop for them 'cause they will blab whatever you buy, you can't get to where you need to without losing them to whatever they want to look at, you'll end up fighting with dh, sorry, did I mention I tried it once?

Let DH and the kids have a wonderful day lazing about doing whatever dads and kids do and GO ALONE! See you there! I'll be the one shivering in the predawn line...

 

[happybratpack]

My vote is alone too...it's just so much easier and the only person you have to worry about is YOU!
Have fun and good luck!

 

[TooBoyz4us]

Thanks everyone.
Unfortunately my DH really wants to go.

Heck, maybe I should make him go and fight the crowds,LOL.

HAPPYBRATPACK Congrats on your impending adoption! Your daughter to be is beautiful!! I am an adoptive Mom as well, so I understand your waiting game. Believe, me the waiting is so worth it in the end.

 

[kilee]

I wouldn't take the kids. It will be way too crowded to keep track of them. I also wouldn't let them go off on their own on BF. Too many crowds. I think I'd have a heart-to-heart w/ dh. Otherwise, do you have a regular sitter you use that you might be able to hire???

 

[skiwee1]

Can't you leave the kids home by themselves? I know my son at that age would have been fine alone for a while. There is no way I'd take them with me. At that age my son would not have wanted to go anyway.

 

[kilee]

I was thinking the same thing about leaving them home, but I didn't know what the OP's comfort level on that is. I know we leave DS 12 alone, but just started in the last 6 months.

 

[cats mom]

Well...
I hesitate to post this because I've been around for awhile and I know there's a chance I could get flamed big time
but, here goes anyway
(I joined the bad parent club ages ago)

At 11 and 13 couldn't you leave them home while you and DH shop for a couple of hours?
I wouldn't leave kids that age to go away for a weekend or anything, but I know plenty of girls, and even a few boys, in the 12-14 age range who babysit all the time around here.

 

[Horizons16]

How about I watch your kids and I dont have to work the stores on friday?

Work for you?

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Everyone has a comfirt level and I know that boys that age sometimes fight with each other, but given the choice of leaving them alone or sending them off on their own I would leave them at home alone! Most likely less dangerous to leave them than to let them out alone with the crowds. Take a cell phone so they can reach you and offer to bring them home a small treat for good behavior.

 

[blanq]

Here is another vote to leave your kids home by themselves. Having a cell phone with you so they can reach you if needed sounds like a good plan. If you are heading out early (I know around here the stores open at like 6:00 am that day), I bet your kids would rather sleep in anyway. I will be leaving my 12 yo DS home to sleep when I head out on Friday (DH has to work that day), and I know he will likely sleep until 10:00 or so, and I probably will be done with my shopping and back home by the time he rolls out of bed.

 

[Cindy B]

Either keep the kids home or have them run for the products for you.

 

[maggiew]

If your kids are anything like my 13 yo DD, I would leave them at HOME!!
I can't believe your DH WANTS to go. I can't get my DH to shop on a normal day. NO WAY would he be out on Black Friday. He would rather pay full price on items than shop on Black Friday .
Maggie

 

[bettyann29]

You know your own kids and whether you would be okay with leaving them at home.. but for such a short time, I think they are old enough to stay home..

 

[musicmama]

My DD12 has been going out on BF since she was 6 months old and in a stroller. (putting on high-test flameproof suit here) She missed one year (age 5 or 6, don't remember anymore) when she complained that she would have to "get up early". So she went to day care and I picked her up for late breakfast/lunch. I have never heard the end of this - how could I have left her ?. Of course, she's never complained about getting up early for BF again either.

Explanation is probably in order -- BF is a big big family day for me, sisters, and (before we lost her last year) my mom. We read the ads on Thanksgiving after dinner, plan our strategies, and wake each other up in plenty of time to make the first store opening. We shop for several hours and then take a break to eat. (thus the "pick her up for lunch" reference above).

Ask your boys what they would rather do -- sleep late, manage with each other and earn some points in the reward realm and maybe a few additional points in the trust realm; or get up early and follow you uncomplainingly or lose many points in the reward realm. Of course, another poster suggested having them be "runners" to go get stuff. For a couple extra bucks even, maybe? (DD loves that part)

Good luck and happy shopping!

 

[kilee]

For those that take kids- what do you do about buying gifts for them? Just wondering. I know DS really likes to be suprised- so he doesn't want to know anything.

 

[DMRick]

I'd leave them home, as long as at least one of them is awake. My kids used to sleep soundly, and if anything happened (I always think fire), one would be awake to wake the other.

 

[ladyelle]

Why do you need a sitter for them at home? You don't seem to mind letting them go off by themselves shopping.