Scan Groceries MySELF? Couldn't Be Me...

Ok, this title is bait. It is what it is—sorry 'bout it.

This newsletter isn’t about whether self-checkout lines are great, horrible, ruining the country, or the best thing ever. Honestly, all of those things are true at once, so why bother arguing either side?

This newsletter is actually about my laziness and your kids. And I hope it provides you with what I get every time I take my kid to the grocery store: a little break.

Here’s the deal: I invested in self-care a few years ago, when my son was seven. It dawned on me that I had an opportunity to help him develop a skill, bond with that delightful hormone vasopressin, and set myself up for some well-earned laziness down the road.

And if there’s one thing my Taurus sun heart adores, it’s laziness. GOD, I love to laze.

What I did: I taught my son how to use self-checkout—all by himself. No assistance. No supervision. Which means I now get a few glorious moments of quiet at the store. I can close my eyes, breathe deeply, meditate, etc.*

*lol jk, I scroll my phone like you do 😜

How I Did It:

1. Timing is key. Go to the store early in the morning or around 2–3 PM in the summer. This ensures the self-checkout area is open but not busy.
2. Start small. We began with only 5–8 items.
3. Begin with baby steps. At first, I had him type our rewards phone number into the keypad. (Pro tip: I started letting him do this at age five in regular lines while I placed items on the belt. It’s a fantastic way to help kids memorize your phone number!)
4. Build on progress. Next, I let him scan items while I bagged them.
5. Let them lead. Gradually, he took over scanning and bagging while I stood back.
6. Introduce payment. I walked him through the credit card process a couple of times.
7. Celebrate success. After a few confident, complete runs, I handed over the reins entirely.

Now? I haven’t scanned my own groceries in years. That’s no longer my job. My kid is more than happy to do it.

But guess what? Even if he weren’t happy about it?
I drove to the store. I probably picked out the groceries and will most likely cook the food. I’m paying for all of it.

I wasn’t jumping for joy doing any of that either.

So, yeah—he can take a few minutes to do the self-checkout.

The Bigger Picture:

This mindset shift can transform how you interact with the people in your household. It’s not about delegation; it’s about partnership. Everyone contributes in ways that balance effort and lighten the load.

Let me know if that’s what happens for you. <3

Hey P.S.

If this helped you, forward it to a friend who might benefit. Share the wealth, and let’s grow this community!

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