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Original poster

What age would you let your DC into a shop on their own

65 replies

Toomuchresponsibility88 · 26/01/2025 14:47

DD is 8, 9 in a few weeks

Today we needed to go to the local shop (think a local Co op size so small ish) but i also needed to walk the dog we're are dog sitting. Obviously dog isn't allowed in the shop

Dd is relatively sensible so I told her the two things we needed (bread and milk) gave her £10 and watched her from the window while she went to buy them for me.

Should also point out we're probably at the shop 3-4 times a week so the shop staff know her and she was in my sight at all time.

Dh was working and juat got home and when I told him has gone mad saying I prioritised the dog over DD

I think it gave DD some responsibility and she loved it, not saying I will make a habit of it but proved to her she knew what to do

OP posts:
MissRoseDurward · 26/01/2025 16:30

I started sending mine to the shop down the road at that age.
In the few years since then, the only "bad" thing to happen was that the milk fridge was broken, so the milk had been put on the top shelf of the wine fridge and they had to ask for an adult to reach it for them.

I'm an adult and I sometimes have to ask an[other] adult to reach things on the top shelf for me!

That sort of thing is good for beginning to give children experience in dealing with something a bit unexpected, and asking for help when needed, so when they're a bit older they have the confidence to handle something like a bus or train being cancelled.

wastingtimeonhere · 26/01/2025 16:27

I was going to the shops on my own at that age, out of sight, nobody waiting..so we're my kids around that age. Totally appropriate.
Another vote for Dog in, 'D'H out..😅

Stormwhatnow · 26/01/2025 16:26

Just read your update. Your DH is jealous of a dog! I mean wtf! You seem to have yourself a 3rd child.
Agree with pp. Ditch 3rd child, get a dog.

Stormwhatnow · 26/01/2025 16:21

Mine walked to the local shop and school from 7.. Probably considered neglectful by MN standards but I'm big on age appropriate independence and childhood freedoms, they're very important for development. I now have a very independent and capable teen.

pinkroses79 · 26/01/2025 16:20

At 8 or 9 I used to send my children to the local co op on their own! If I was waiting outside the door and the shop was small I would definitely send them in at 6 if they were happy to do it, maybe even younger if they knew what to do.

Sparkzz · 26/01/2025 16:17

My 10 year old has been going into the shop alone for about a year although he was asked once where his parents were.

LoserWinner · 26/01/2025 16:17

Goodness! I used to buy my own sweets when I was six, and once a week, I used to cycle into the village to buy fish and chips for the whole family. By the time I was eight, my Mum used to give me a shopping list and cash, and I could handle a trip to the local Spar. It helped with mental arithmetic, too - I always totted up the cost as I went along to make sure that I had enough money to pay.

Alliolly · 26/01/2025 16:15

Oh wow, your OH sounds way overprotective, to say the least. I let my 5yo do this and he loves it - often ends up chatting to the shop assistant about what he's buying and what he's having for dinner lol

TwentyTwentyFive · 26/01/2025 16:10

He sounds like a jealous toddler, does he have any redeeming qualities because to be honest the more you post the more I think you should swap him for a dog. It sounds like a dog would be better company.

Original poster
Toomuchresponsibility88 · 26/01/2025 16:09

And also he knows I am desperate for pur own dog, if it was just me I'd have one by now but he won't have it

So he's trying to make dog sitting as difficult as possible so I go off the idea of having one (not going to happen!)

OP posts:
Original poster
Toomuchresponsibility88 · 26/01/2025 16:05

To clarify a few points

He doesn't like the fact we are dog sitting. It wasn't his choice (even though it's his parents dog) and has complained all week that the dog get more attention than he does. Whixh he does as the dog is cute and DH is capable of going to the toilet himself without me following.

I would 't leave a dog tied up outside a shop - wouldn't judge anyone for doing it, but personally I wouldn't and also not my dog so wouldn't want to leave it outside and anything happen.

He thinks I'm prioritising the dog as I've changed some plans to make sure the dog isn't left alone too much. One day I was meant to work from the office, none of my team were in so manager was happy for me to WFH, DH thinks I deliberately told everyone else to WFH so I didn't have to go

Ds's activity was cancelled yesterday morning. We could have done something else but me and the two kids decided to take the dog for a long (very long!) Walk instead (cheaper and kids loved walking the dog) apparently that's me being selfish for not going to other activity anyway even tho the kids wanted to go for a walk

OP posts:
Ooral · 26/01/2025 16:03

Respectfully, your husband is an idiot. What was he expecting to haappen?

TickingAlongNicely · 26/01/2025 16:01

I started sending mine to the shop down the road at that age.
In the few years since then, the only "bad" thing to happen was that the milk fridge was broken, so the milk had been put on the top shelf of the wine fridge and they had to ask for an adult to reach it for them. Showing the phrase "big bottle of green milk" is pretty much universally understood.

Lovelysummerdays · 26/01/2025 16:00

I’d agree it’s a really odd thing to worry about. Getting a child to nip in a store I’d completely normal. I’m not sure what he was worried would happen?

DreamW3aver · 26/01/2025 15:58

Child goes into shop and buys something shocker. Is your husband always so weird or is it a new thing?

TwentyTwentyFive · 26/01/2025 15:55

PizzaPunk · 26/01/2025 14:49

Your DH should learn how to parent.

What your daughter did is so unremarkable it's not even noteworthy 🤷‍♂️

Edited

Agreed!
She's 8 not 18 months. Lots of children her age walk to the local corner shops and back without anyone batting an eye because it's a perfectly normal part of developing Independence.

I wouldn't even have thought to mention it to him it's just a completely ordinary thing to do.

OneDenimRobin · 26/01/2025 15:52

He does know you were waiting outside watching doesn’t he? He doesn’t think you walked the dog and she, separately, walked to the shop alone?

Freshflower · 26/01/2025 15:48

Absolutely nothing wrong with sending a nearly 9 year old into a small shop that she's familiar with to buy two items. It was very helpful of her and definitely helps support responsibility. You were just outside, so obviously she knew where you were and you knew she wouldn't leave the shop on her own. Silly response from your husband!!!

Mopsy567 · 26/01/2025 15:26

You were outside the shop and watching through the window. She couldn't have left the shop without you knowing and the shop assistant knows her. I'm so confused about why your partner was upset.

Sprogonthetyne · 26/01/2025 15:22

Going in with you waiting at the door is absolutely fine. He might have a point if you'd stayed home and sent her to walk it alone, but she was in your line of sight the whole time.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 26/01/2025 15:19

Your husband is a weirdo.

Prioritising the dog 😂

What a plonker

Minnie798 · 26/01/2025 15:17

I thought 8 year olds going into a shop on their own was the norm 🤷‍♀️. Your dh is being weird.

Hayley1256 · 26/01/2025 15:13

Mines just turned 9 and lives going into the shop on her own. I wait outside. She also likes ordering her own drinks at Costa

ItGhoul · 26/01/2025 15:11

Should also point out we're probably at the shop 3-4 times a week so the shop staff know her and she was in my sight at all time.

It would have been completely fine and unremarkable even if it was a shop she’d never been into before and you couldn’t see her. It’s the Co-op, not a crack den. Good grief.

littleluncheon · 26/01/2025 15:10

5 maybe while you stand outside?
9ish to go to the corner shop alone.