To think that Xmas food shopping isn't a sodding family day out?

I’m with you OP. Got stuck behind a family of mum, dad and 2 older teen/young adult daughters arguing about sodding cheese. Made me very happy that I tell my lot to add to the list what they want and leave them at home. I know that’s not an option for everyone though.

I had to go into a supermarket to get wrapping paper this weekend and it was like a kids’ playground in there - kids running around screaming, hitting one another with things pulled from the shelves, throwing toys around. Parents nowhere to be seen of course.

I grabbed what I needed and left - can’t understand why so many people are now like this these days!

This made me chuckle. I rarely shop with Mr Browse (when the kids were young he’d stay at home with them or take them for a coffee and cake while I shopped ).

He is worse than any child in the supermarket. Getting lost, dilly dallying and picking up random stuff….

I do feel sorry for those children being dragged round looking so fed up. If you don’t need to bring them it’s surely better they are at home or doing something fun.

You really deserve a lovely reward for that. Sounds like a living nightmare.

The kids aren't the issue, it's other adults! Taking up 2 spots with their SUV when people are driving around looking for parking spots, stopping in the middle of the aisles for a chat, parking their trolley in front of a Christmas necessity e.g. gravy and then walking off down the aisle, taking ages to decide if they want a product whilst it is clear you are trying to get to that product and they are just totally oblivious.

Well you learn something new everyday!

YANBU. At any time of year but especially now, it's a one adult job. The other adult stays at home with the children. The last place kids want to be the weekend before CHristmas is in a supermarket.

Would love to hear from any posters who think letting their kids get in the way in a supermarket is a fantastic afternoon out.

Mine would be Mr spendalot and then stuff going out of date before it gets eaten. I avoid shopping with him like the plague.

@K0OLA1D I’m in Scotland and have two 24 hour Adsa in driving distance.

Live and let live, Eh?

The place was absolutely rammed. It's 3 days before Christmas. Of course I would prefer my shopping trip to be easier.

Well that's just tough really, so what if it's 3 days before Christmas? Other people exist and don't need to adjust their shopping habits to suit you.

I'd also quite like not to have some kid nearly take me out with his swinging arms near the tills.

That was one child, not a reason to suggest they all stay at home though.

@TorroFerney It was this morning and it was my local smaller Tesco, not the Tesco Extra store where there's a lot more space to get around obstructions.

I took my husbands grandma to do hers today, he had a work thing so it was me, a 93 year old, a three year old and a nine year old, at least the nine year old was useful. The three year old was bored and did nothing but moan, grandma apparently knew every single human in the shop and had to talk to every single of them. She had a list, but had to personally choose each item so I couldn’t park her in an aisle and get all the bits myself. She didn’t have her reading glasses on, my Swedish is still a bit ropey, so we relied on the nine year old to read the descriptions and to make sure no one dies (allergies). I forgot bags too, and the supermarket had run out of bags, so that added to the lovely fun day out.

You enjoy queuing and people ramming trolleys into you?

I went to big Sainsburys today and for unknown reasons they'd completely changed the queuing system starting today and the staff were very rude to everyone who didn't know about it, how they expected people to know they'd suddenly done this I have no idea (there were no signs).

Anyway their system blocked half the freezer section (no chance of getting to any free from or veggie alternatives) and slowed down all the queues massively, I went to self checkout in the end (no queue, big trolley-sized ones) and was through in 5 mins.

Still I suppose having 2 extra staff stand there yelling at customers means 2 extra people are employed even though they are causing more problems and taking space people could queue in.

Couldn't get everything I wanted in Sainsburys and kids running screaming everywhere so went to B&M where I found everything (stuffing, selection boxes, gravy, alcohol etc) in under 10 mins and not crowded at all. Plus obviously a lot cheaper for branded stuff.

Reminds me why I stopped shopping in Sainsburys.

We do most of our shop online but the kids love going on one trip and picking out the fun snacks and extra bits. They're allowed and we all enjoy it 🤷🏻‍♀️

Bless, the spirit of Xmas

Me and DP always do the shopping together. I'm disabled and we both want different things. I don't get in the way and neither does he. The kids haven't come since they fitted in the trolly.

I bet you’re the sort of person who doesn’t think children should be allowed on planes.

so kids aren’t allowed in supermarkets any more…hmmm

Shopping in person just before Christmas day = my idea of hell for precisely those reasons.

I popped into asda last wednesday and I couldnt believe the number of people who seemed to be treating it as some sort of a 'day out' - standing about blocking the aisles and admiring everything. I take a list, grab what I need and get out as fast as humanly possible.

What a strange attitude, sometimes I pay for the food shop, does that mean DH should wait outside?

10pm tonight?

Hahahahahhaha

If that was yesterday it may have been me and husband. When you live in a village and your local Tesco is minute the excitement of going to big Tesco at Christmas is immense.