Making shopping with kids less sucky
I can’t tell you how many offers I get in my inbox asking me to write about, or represent a product or brand. I’m not saying this to brag, but to try to paint a little bit of a picture of how things are on my end when it sometimes seems like I’m writing sponsored post after sponsored post.
I am extremely selective of the companies I work with. I don’t want to waste their time if I don’t think you will be interested. I don’t want to waste your time when you expect to read something personal from me, and I don’t want to waste my time writing about things I don’t really care about. And if it’s not a topic I won’t be excited to go back and read about a few years from now, I pass.
When Sears asked to partner with me for the holidays I thought it would be great and relevant because I’m all about the holidays and it being my favorite time of year, I can write about this stuff day in and day out. Then, when they wrote to me about a video campaign they’re promoting I thought ‘Oh no, this may be hard to write.’ I don’t do commercial posts. They give me the heebie jeebies.
So I sat down to watch the video links they sent me about their #MoreToYou movement I wasn’t expecting what I saw. And I am not lying when I tell you each and every one of them moved me to misty eyes.
But how do I tell you this and share a video or two without coming across like I’m just trying to pimp a product? Let me try.
I’m not going to go through each of the videos, you can watch them here. But I’ll tell you how one of them touched me. Instead of describing the whole video first just watch it:
Ok, my kids are 1 and 4. Why am I boohooing up in here like they’re about to leave for college next week? This mother who thought her son wouldn’t SURVIVE his first year of life, and doctors told her he might not grow, is now buying size 15 shoes for him.
After he flew away for college, his mom surprised him with a tablet and other college supplies, and you catch a glimpse of his little sister was bawling cause she misses her brother *cue the waterworks*
Maybe it’s that time of year, maybe I’m just emotional, or maybe now that I’m a mom I’m a sucker for any video about a parent’s love for their child. Well played Sears, well played.
Though the story was about a son leaving for college, I noticed how they weaved in the fact that you can order items online, and have a gift ready for pickup at another store. Or, in another video you see how a mom uses the in-vehicle pickup service so they can bring your items (big or small) to you once you pull up at the store. No need to unload all the kids. If every store did this I’d go shopping with my kids a lot more.
I’ve mentioned before how I will go to great lengths to not have to go shopping with both of my kids. Unless we snag one of those little pimped out shopping carts, forget it… I’m on a time limit. The idea of pulling up to a store and getting all my good loaded in my car without having to unbuckle anyone or even turn off the Kidz Bop tunes?… Dreamy.
I’m sure by the time my kids go off to college all of our groceries and supplies from the stores will have some new way to get transported. Who knows, maybe by then someone will have invented teleportation and 2-day shipping will seem like snail mail. Until then, I appreciate companies making an effort to make things easier for me.
Like I mentioned, each of the #MoreToYou videos touched me a different way. Check them out if you have some time. What did you think of the video(s)? Do you think you’ll use the in-vehicle pickup service? Leave a comment and you’ll be entered to win a $50 Sears gift card, sponsored by Sears. Contest ends Wednesday November 19th as 11:59pm.
I’m with you. I don’t like going shopping with the twins either. But my wife LOOOOOOVES taking the to the store. Meh.
I think the video is pretty great! And I would love an easy pickup service like that as a mom with three young kids. Although, i don’t mind grocery shopping with all three that much. Do it all the time. 😉
I love that service that Sears offers! I used it to buy my mom some beautiful dishes, and they really do bring it right to your car. I am a young mom of 3 and it can be incredibly difficult to shop with all 3 of them. Although I am not one to shy away from bringing them with me everywhere I go, I do appreciate Sears for making it that much easier on me.
And that video is a tear jerker!! For ALL of the reasons you stated! A mother’s love is undescribable yet so powerful!
I have 2 that are 6 years apart so taking them to/in the store has be optional for the last few years. For many reasons I rarely take both to the store, and when at all possible I go alone. Having a store that brings things to the car, GENIUS!
My youngest is a home body so she either votes to stay home or in the car (my oldest is 14 and taller than me so IF he comes along and IF I can get him to stay with her I leave the car running). Which then causes me to rush to grab what I need then get back home or to the car. If I could order from home then “drive thru” the store. WOWzer, what an idea!
That video, yeah it got me. I’ll be sending one off to college in 4 short years. Sniffle Sniffle.
I had no idea such services existed. I need to get with the times. Great commercial! Full of emotion. I think I might need to buy someone a gift now. 🙂
Leave it to Sears to come up with this great idea!! Love them!! My babies are all grown, however, the video still touched me!
I am not sure if I was on the correct one because there was a random one in there with two ladies shopping. But the two I loved: Giving More to Busy Moms & Sears Bakes Up A Surprise. The Mom one got me because the ending was just so sweet 🙂 But the Bake one had to be my favorite because I too think of my sister as my best friend (well besides my hubby). It is really the little things in life that remind you of what is important and I agree with you. Good job Sears! Also the funniest goes to the guy with the dog!! I’ve actually used the look up feature myself & it truly is helpful.
The pickup service is definitely something to keep in mind, especially as the weather gets worse and the holiday time crunch is on! I had to laugh, though, when you mentioned the pimped out carts. The other day in the grocery store, my 21-month-old, vehicle-obsessed son caught sight of one of the double seater car carts like the one in your picture, and he was freaking out on me every single time we passed the same one (over and over) throughout the store! He kept pointing and saying “Car!” and whining a bit because he wanted one so badly! Poor kid. Of course, I’m afraid to actually get one since he’ll expect it every single time. Might have to wait until he’s cognitively ready to understand it’s a once-in-a-while treat because I’m not lugging that thing all over the place every time (or taking it from people like you who need a two-seater!).
I love that service. I’m not sure if I would use it though. its just not something that I need right now. The major grocery store in this area was testing a similar curbside service. It didn’t take off so they cancelled it. But like someone said above, that is definitely a great service during the holiday rush
I love using grocery delivery, it saves so much time!
I don’t think I would use it. I need to touch and see before I buy something. Maybe when I have kids, I will see the need for it. Also, I’m really not sure the Sears in my town offer that service.
I definitely would use this. I have a 4&6 year old. So I know about going in two directions at once.
I don’t have kids and I am boohooing over here! I can definitely see myself utilizing the service – anything that cuts down shopping time! I’m not a huge shopper! 🙂
In-vehicle pick up service sounds amazing!
I love the videos. I would definitely use the in vehicle pickup.
i loved the video! Shopping with my baby is not too bad actually. He loves to go to the store so he’s pleasant. It’ll probably get more difficult when we add #2 to the mix!
On cold weather days like today, I would totally use it. Why can’t every store offer this?
After a full day at work sometimes the idea of taking on another task with an active 1-year-old seems impossible. The idea of ordering online and then having the merchandise arrive at my doorstep sounds amazing. Thank you for passing along the message
I actually live shipping with my kids. They are 8 and 3 and I put them to work and turn it into a scavenger hunt.
OK, so I don’t have kids of my own, but for this comment we can mention that I care for twins 3 times a week after work — it’s like going home to two children until they are in bed and done for the night at about 10:30 PM. I take them shopping with me– I had no idea this was a service, and great to know. There are times when I need to get things done with them and one wants to go in the store and the other wants to stake his or her spot in the back seat and not move. Will DEFINITELY keep this in mind for the future… and maybe even some Christmas shopping I need to get done while I have the twins-in-tote this year!
On cold or rainy days, maybe!! But I usually like to see and touch items that I am buying.
My kids are teenagers and young adults now (ages 14-21) so nowadays I jump at the chance to spend time with them, shopping or whatever it may be. But, I remember when they were little how difficult it could be to shop with them all. I can see where the pick-up option would be very helpful for some.
I feel like this is a fantastic idea not only for parents with small children but some children cant handle crowds and it is very overwhelming to make them go out so this would benefit them as well, the times are changing and so is shopping 😀
I would definitely use the in vehicle pick up service!!! If I don’t have to take my kids shopping I wont!
Totally loved the commercial…. the waterworks came on!!! I probably would use teh vehicle pick up service, if our store offers it… with two kids, I try to avoid stores as much as possible!!!
Totally loved the commercial…. the waterworks came on!!! I probably would use the vehicle pick up service, if our store offers it… with two kids, I try to avoid stores as much as possible!!!
vehicle pick up is a mommys dream come true!!!!!! the less time i have to spend in a store with my babies the BETTER for everyone. All the videos were lovely with a beautiful message
What an awesome service to have!!! I can’t tell you the number of times I wished someone would put things in for me. Easy peasy. I will definitely consider using it!
Serious, shopping with multiple kids sounds like a disaster. I like my shopping experiences to be leisurely, ha ha. Even one kid is one too many sometimes when they flail around and don’t want to stick their legs in the dang cart to sit down… and then reach for everything and try to open stuff. !! I’m just thinking about grocery shopping. But clothes shopping is awful too when Kal is in this “dress-up” stage where he has to pull all the clothes and shoes off the shelves and try them on. I’d much rather leave the kid(s) at home. 🙂
I definitely would use an in-vehicle pickup and I totally wish our local grocery store had something like it.
In vehicle pick up service would be awesome! I would totally use it.
In vehicle pick up sounds wonderful. Shopping with kids is bad enough then trying to be sneaky about Christmas shopping this year is even harder. This would help.
Great Idea! I just recently order something from Sears and did not know about this service. It would have saved me a lot of headaches since I only went in to pick up a pair of shoes but was in Sears for over an hour trying to entertain my 2 year old as they tried to obtain my information.
Having this new service would be great for days when you don’t have a lot of time and just want to grab and go. I have used similar services where I just had to run in and grab my order but them bringing it to the car is great!
Great idea! I would definitely use it if I knew what I wanted ahead of time 🙂 Sweet video too.
Very sweet video! I’d definitely use that service when we travel out of state for holidays.
Nice video. I probably wouldn’t use the in car service.
This “drive-thru” service sounds perfect!!! I would love this! (Especially if it is cold outside.❄️⛄️)
I am hoping that since K-Mart is affiliated w/ Sears that they will follow suit. I do a lot of in-store pick-ups already so I would really like to just drive up and go!
I would totally use this service! With two under 2, it’s a necessity!
Oh my goodness, drive through pick up service would be AMAZING. I was just thinking today I wish stores would do that-getting my two year old in and out of the car just to run in and grab something is such a pain, especially now that she protests going in a cart and wants to walk everywhere (unless my hands are full, then she wants to be carried of course).
I had no idea they did that! I would certainly use it!
What a great idea, definitely would use a service lIke that! Any thing to make mom life a little easier is awesome!
Loved that video! She should definitely take those size 15s back to the doctor. But honestly, with 4 kids under the age of 6, this is my kind of shopping. Especially with the holidays coming up, this would make my life insanely easier.
Videos were a tear jerker, they certainly tugged at my heartstrings this morning. I’m an avid Sears shopper, my boy only wears the lands end iron knee line of pants. Love that guarantee for my rough and tumble guy, no more patching busted knees in brand new pants. I did not know about the drive up service, that will be wonderful for Holiday shopping on those yucky, winter days.
I only have one (right now) but even then, the idea of not having to get out of the car and drag her into a store she’s not at all interested in sounds pretty awesome to me! I can only imagine how much greater that will be next year with baby #2.
Anything that makes my life easier as a Mom of 2 I’m all for!!!
Shopping with kids is so tough! Unless they are restrained in a stroller which is hard for my kids ages (7 and 3). I would definitely use the Sears in vehicle service! Anything to make it easier I am in!
omgosh waterworks!!! I’m sending one off to college the year after next and I’m already having anxiety about it! I will probably definitely be using the Sears service.
As a mom of three young ones, I would absolutely use the Sears in vehicle service!!!
Seriously who knew that service even existed. I’m obviously behind, that would be amazing. My older 3 aren’t that bad to go shopping with, it’s the younger 2 we have that make it a tad tricker…