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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:
Snowmanscarf · 26/01/2025 15:09

Why was dh worried? Sounds fine to me.

notacooldad · 26/01/2025 15:09

Nothing wrong with what you did but why didn’t you just leave the dog tied up outside?
There is absolutely no way would I leave my dogs tied up outside a shop!

Midnightlove · 26/01/2025 15:09

I don't see anything wrong with that at all if you were stood outside! 🤷‍♀️

Olive123456 · 26/01/2025 15:05

Thiswayorthatway · 26/01/2025 15:01

Nothing wrong with what you did but why didn’t you just leave the dog tied up outside?

Thieves.

BabysittersClub · 26/01/2025 15:03

While you were standing outside? I'd say four or five with a card rather than cash. Seven with the extra complication of cash.

Thiswayorthatway · 26/01/2025 15:01

Nothing wrong with what you did but why didn’t you just leave the dog tied up outside?

Doggymummar · 26/01/2025 14:59

I was around 5 when I used to get sent to the corner shop with a note for nans fags. But the 70s were different.

MWNA · 26/01/2025 14:59

It's a perfectly normal, everyday occurrence. I'm genuinely perplexed by your husband's reaction.
Please show him the responses to this thread. He's being very odd.

Createausername1970 · 26/01/2025 14:58

Nothing wrong with that. I would send DS in at a similar age and wait outside for him.

I would have started doing it much earlier, but he was a bit unpredictable at times, so there was no knowing what he might have come back out with, or even if he would have paid for it on the way back out.

But assuming no issues, then the sooner the better.

Ollybob · 26/01/2025 14:56

8/9 is absolutely fine, teach them younger when they are in the shop with you how to pay ect they soon pick it up.
There's no negligence on your part as long as shes sensible.
Shame the same can't be said for the type of parents who just let their young children (either under 6 ish or the feral type) wander about out of sight and earshot once in a shop and mess with everything or run everywhere! At least you give a shit, paying attention to what she's doing and teaching her good life skills.

TomatoSandwiches · 26/01/2025 14:56

Is he on crack? Wtf is he going on about?

Neveragain35 · 26/01/2025 14:53

At the age of 8 I was sending DD down to the corner shop (end of the road) to get milk! She was desperate for some independence.

Porcuporpoise · 26/01/2025 14:50

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

This. I was going to say about 5 if it were something really simple.

devastatedagain · 26/01/2025 14:49

I think it's quite common to send 8 or 9 year olds in for bread or milk whilst the adult is outside with the dog.

You dh sounds like he doesn't spend much actual time parenting. He's quick to criticise but then why didn't HE make sure you were stocked up.

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 🤷‍♂️