10 adult contestants are chosen from the general population... a good mix of old, young, females, males, parents, business people, educated, uneducated, etc...
Each adult is given 2 children chosen from the general population... a good mix of newborns, crawlers, walkers, runners, teethers, hungry, tired, happy, high-strung, easy-going, etc... (Notice I only chose 2 kids, that was going easy on them!) :0)
They are then allowed to choose the grocery cart of their choice. They must choose wisely because some don't work well, some push hard, some are covered in sticky chocolate, some squeak loudly, and some are covered in flu germs!
Once the adult/children matches have been assigned and every one is situated with their grocery cart, they are then given a list of essential items to seek and find at WalMart before lunch and nap time arrive! They also have to buy all of these items within a set budget and cannot go over their money limit or they'll be charged an overdraft fee! Ready, Set, GO!!!
Here is the list of things needed...
~ An appropriate sized package of diapers for every child in your presence.
~ Formula for a child with a soy allergy.
~ Ketchup.~ A new pair of sneakers for yourself. (good luck trying them on if you're wearing a child in a sling or backpack!)
~ An appropriate toy for the 8 year old boy's birthday party you have to attend this week. (have fun in the toy section buying ONLY this one toy and not everything your kids want!)
~ A teething ring that can be refrigerated!
~ Vitamins for children. (you must choose between chewables, liquid, gummies, with iron, with extra vitamin c, etc...)
~ 3 dozen eggs (cannot be broken!)
Okay, they have their carts, they have their children and they have their list... now the fun begins! They must successfully race through the store dodging obstacles such as old ladies in electric wheel chairs, teenagers on skateboards, and various distractions the kids might be attracted to. These may or may not include water fountains to play in, free cookies from the deli, sweet old ladies that want to talk for 30 minutes, and toy displays that seem to scream "play with me!"
They are also provided with one diaper bag. Inside the store during their shopping experience they must change a diaper, keep all pacifiers from hitting the floor and administer a snack carefully. Contestants must chose wisely when to reveal the snack items. If given out too soon then they have no back-up when the child is having a melt down, and if given out too late then the child may be unconsolable and may receive many dirty looks from other contestants and fellow shoppers. Each dirty look is a strike. 3 strikes and you're out!
The key to winning this reality show is successfully getting through the check out line. (Every parent knows that this time is the most trying in any shopping outing.) They must wait in line for unidentified period of time, pay for all items within budget limits and return to parking lot without losing their minds! If contestants exit the store with both children still smiling and all items are safely packed in bags in the shopping cart then you win.
What do you win? A nap, because they will need one! :0)
They are also provided with one diaper bag. Inside the store during their shopping experience they must change a diaper, keep all pacifiers from hitting the floor and administer a snack carefully. Contestants must chose wisely when to reveal the snack items. If given out too soon then they have no back-up when the child is having a melt down, and if given out too late then the child may be unconsolable and may receive many dirty looks from other contestants and fellow shoppers. Each dirty look is a strike. 3 strikes and you're out!
The key to winning this reality show is successfully getting through the check out line. (Every parent knows that this time is the most trying in any shopping outing.) They must wait in line for unidentified period of time, pay for all items within budget limits and return to parking lot without losing their minds! If contestants exit the store with both children still smiling and all items are safely packed in bags in the shopping cart then you win.
What do you win? A nap, because they will need one! :0)
oh Nicole...this would be hilarious!!! and how true too..I definately remember those days :)
ReplyDeleteSounds you had an interesting trip to WalMart recently. I do remember these days, with just ONE child. I have a clear recollection of a screaming 18 month old in Hannaford, mother holding her in a football hold while still pushing a full grocery cart. Mother refusing to leave the full cart (afterall she worked very hard to fill it) to go to the card to deal with a temper tantrum. Mother hear's this comment from another shopper "That's why I left my children home when I did groceries". Mother saying without thinking (and certainly not praying first!) "Are your children socially acceptable?!". I wonder why I know this story so well! :) Fortunately, this was the one and only temper tantrum in a store for "said" mother.
ReplyDeleteMissy- I haven't experienced a full-blown temper tantrum yet, but I'm sure that day will come!!! :-/
ReplyDeleteWhat a terrific idea for a new show. It's always adventure shopping w/ little ones. I often thought about leaving the shopping cart at the store if someone misbehaved, but didn't want to start all over again another day. So I saved the bakery muffins for mid-course. When I got to the cash, I would just say,"There were 3 muffins in that bag."
ReplyDeleteDiane