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

Maybe they need more bags

Such a shame, why?

Then still get people coming into shops this time of the year without bringing bags!! WTF is this about?

Bag charges have been in place for 9 years in England and if you bring your own bags and use 10 bags a week on average- food, clothes etc shopping. You are saving over £150 in a year! Think about how many presents that you could have bought with that?

Everyone is stressed and wants to be in and out quickly so I can see both sides it's not my responsibility to reduce the stress of others. If I need help with the shopping I need help with the shopping.

Please note, OP - other lifestyles are available.

Better for the environment too

DH is shopping and went on foot as he hates the car parks

Fortunately we aren't doing Christmas but have definitely experienced the hellishness of it before.

I do think though if it is busy in run up to Christmas it would be better to leave kids at home if there are others who can look after them

Everyone is stressed and wants to be in and out quickly so I can see both sides

Are you me?

I saw a mum, dad, and 2 young kids in M&S at 6am this morning. Both were still in their pyjamas and onesies, the daughter could barely keep her eyes open. Such a shame

Of course it is, but there are 51 other weeks of the year to make the family shop a learning experience. The last few days before Christmas when it's manic and packed is probably not the best time.

YANBU. I'm going today as it's the first opportunity that I've had that DH is off work so can stay at home with the baby while I smash in and out with my list.

Where we live online supermarket shopping and delivery is not a thing that exists.

My kids are up at 6. What makes you think they're all being forced out of bed? 😂

I remember this age with DD - she was a pandemic baby (well, she was born dec 2019 so just before) and coming out of lockdowns around one, the supermarket was full of colour and activity and she just loved sitting in the trolley and being wheeled around.
Enjoy it (now she is five and must choose to get in or out the trolley every five minutes or we can only go to Lidl with its tiny trolleys and once we have a pink donut we couldn't possibly have any other business in the shop 😂).

Forcing kids out of bed unnecessarily to shop when there are options to have them at home is awful.

Even as a kid, my parents didn’t shop together or all three of us. DF didn’t work most XEs so he looked after me.

Only times we shopped together as the three of us was when we were on holiday - UK and abroad.

Well I avoid bringing the kids to Asda/tesco for our basic weekly shop or the main bulk of Christmas shopping but our M&S food shop before Christmas is one of the highlights of Christmas for us all we all love going and picking what goodies we want as we don't go there very often.

YABU. I went to Tesco at 5.30 am this morning and it was already rammed. Quite a few families with their poor kids still in their PJs having obviously been dragged out of their beds. One poor little girl was sobbing her heart out.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

I'm sorry OP but our food shopping day yesterday was in fact referred to as 'a family day out'. My DH looked so shocked when I said I was going in person to the supermarket he suggested he and our DC6 go too. DC is actually very well behaved though and that's not my delusion speaking.

It wasn't a big shop, it was an extras shop. We are doing a big breakfast for Christmas as it for dinner so everyone was choosing their favourite bits.

What on earth part of that reply was rude and snappy 🤔

I went to the supermarket at 6.45am, I'd think about half the people in there were shop staff picking for online shopping and there were hardly any whole families, it was a lot less hectic than I anticipated

We used to take the children shopping as did our weekly shop on a Sunday on the way home from visiting the in laws. It’s a learning experience, children learn so much about language, numeracy and the cost of living by participating in a food shop.

its a vital life skill being able to budget, collect correct ingredients for a meal etc.

However dh and I went to Tesco shopping yesterday approx 4.30pm and couldn’t believe how quiet the place was.

Shopping with the children was normal life, still is for many. Fine with me, if you hate it then shop online and your kids can be in their rooms scrolling on their phones..

I was in the supermarket at 6am this morning when it opened. It was full. There were many families with small kids there and I did think to myself why bring them, unless of course there is a reason such as only one parent drives etc. One family I kept bumping into had 2 children, one was about 2 years old and was crying and the other was about 5 and was holding on to the trolley half asleep in his nightwear. Dad was standing there just holding the trolley with the kids while mum picked the things up they needed. Did feel for the kids and Dad as they looked totally miserable.

I just popped to Sainsbury's for a few bits at 8am it was HEAVING! Kids running around, getting in the way...not sure why you would inflict that on your kids unless you had no other option!

I don’t see the issue. I sometimes take my children with me so they can help find/carry/load things. I think it is important they see the work/money/organisation that goes into feeding them!

It used to be for my gran, mum and I when I was little. It was a big part of her Christmas. We would go and get the turkey from M&S, look round town and have a coffee, then on to Tesco for the veg. Miss those days, gran isn’t here anymore.
But then I always behaved. Doubt anyone would have opposed our family trip.

My friend who still works at my former workplace said the store opened at 6am and one of the first customers was a family of 5 - both parents and 3 kids - she was guessing the ages - 5, 7 and 10.

There was no need to drag the kids out of bed at least 5:30am. They are going to be grouchy later on.