Mom shows an easy trick under $2 that can help you get through Costco shopping with two kids

Shopping with kids is chaotic as is, and sometimes, parents might need extra help to manage the carts and their kids' ever-changing moods. From sudden tantrums to endless requests for snacks and toys, kids tend to get restless in the busy stores. However, one mom on TikTok, Mallory Jakes (@mallory.jakes), is going viral after sharing a clever and budget-friendly food hack that keeps her children occupied while she shops. The parenting moment has earned praise from moms and dads, who know the struggle of juggling young children.

In the now-viral video, Jakes gently settles both her kids into the shopping cart before pulling out a pair of scissors and two bowls from her bag. On the table, there's a huge slice of pizza, which she quickly cuts into smaller pieces using the scissors. She fills two separate bowls with the pizza pieces and hands them over to her children. It’s a smart and simple trick that keeps the kids occupied while parents continue with their shopping. 

Fellow parents on the social media platform couldn't stop thanking the young mom for sharing the helpful parenting hack as one TikTok user, @carloswolf30, commented, “Hold up! Mama is on to something. Instead of sitting around waiting forever for these kids to finish eating, they can eat while you shop. Just walking around shopping should also keep them stimulated enough not to get bored and start acting up. She’s a genius.” Another mom, @chrisxyy, hilariously shared, “Dude, the container & scissors is so damn smart, haha. I'm just ripping pieces and giving them to my kid.” @vlanca11.11 said, “You may have started a thing. Next weekend, everybody is going to be walking around Costco with cut-up pizza slices.”

Meanwhile, DeAnn Davies, an expert in early child development, also suggested a few simple ways to make shopping trips easier and more enjoyable for both parents and their children. To begin with, she said, "First and foremost, you want to make sure it’s a good time for your toddler to go to the store." It’s a good decision to avoid shopping when kids already seem tired or cranky, as First Things First notes. Davies also suggested, “It’s important to know what you need to get, what you came for, and get out.”

Speaking of why kids always get so excited at a shopping mall, the expert said that when at a store, children don’t just ignore their surroundings like adults do. They instead observe every little detail in the surroundings, which overly excites them. She said, “Think about it this way: If you didn’t have any filters, you would become overwhelmed, too.” If you can remain calm, shopping trips can be a great chance to bond with your child and help them learn and grow in many ways. To make things more interesting for them, Davies suggested that parents constantly engage their kids in conversation, asking them questions about different colors or teaching them to count while shopping.

You can follow @mallory.jakes on TikTok for more such videos.