What’s the deal with whole families going shopping together?

[Enfys1982]

Is it just me who find this really odd and slightly codependent? My mum hated us coming shopping with her as I think she partly enjoyed the peace quiet and we’d get under her feet. As would my Dad! Even now she won’t take him shopping with her. Yesterday in Sainsburys I was struck by how many families there were doing their shopping together. Both parents and kids. I saw one family with a mum dad and three kids plus a baby in a buggy, and another with parents kids and even grandparents. A few weeks ago I was in Primark and there was a family of four shopping together, mum wanted to buy something and instead of the dad and kids waiting they all went through the tills together. I mean surely they didn’t all need to do that?

Is this a new thing?

@mathanxiety hilarious! I find mumsnet so odd. People seem to barely tolerate their other halves and children and can’t understand why they enjoy spending time together. It’s sad really.

Myself and DH and our DD go shopping together. we work full time. We enjoy our weekends by spending time with each other. Myself and DH enjoy picking what to have for dinner that week and looking at special offers. DD is in the trolley and likes looking around at the shop.

I don’t see how it inconveniences the woman at the till. DH unloads and I pack so if anything it’s quicker and more efficient.

Some families (like my own ) love planning a meal together while in the supermarket and then cooking together. I’m confused that you’re so confused 😄

I’ve never understood the appeal of a supermarket for a multigenerational family trip but each to their own.

However large family groups getting in the way, and allowing their kids to run amock, careering around with those little kiddie trolleys, screeching etc……very unnecessary and annoying and there should be a special place in hell reserved for them.

Don't see why it would be an issue at all.

• en route from some other activity together
• other members of the household want to choose things too
• try to avoid car use and do most shopping on foot/bike so it helps for someone else to come to help carry stuff home
• one of my children has always been obsessed with the supermarket and frequently asks to go

I'm completely oblivious to whether others in the shop are alone or in a group so it's never bothered me.

Yep this

Often see parents go together and pick up one child. Can understand if have 3/4 kids

Either I go. Or dh goes if home from
Work. If he goes I have 30m peace 😂

Same with kids parties - why do both parents go

Shopping - either I go or dh goes and cocks it up 😂

Don't think apart from on holiday abroad , that we have ever all gone apart from Christmas food shopping

YNBU I hate it this is why I get it delivered. Just get in the way need to find something better to do spend your “family time” somewere else

This is very timely op. I was looking forward to a child-free shopping day today so went off to the local shopping centre. It was absolutely heaving with full families. Sooo many bored, whiny toddlers and babies in prams crying while mum looks at makeup in superdrug. Why would you do it if the kids are clearly distressed by it? I was literally surrounded by kids far worse behaved than my own. Was glad to get home 😂

I shop online, but before that I use to bring my kids all 5 of them shopping, as did every other parent, some even brought the grandparents too. I needed dhs help as we needed 2 trollies, so yep, we looked like a crazy fuckin family going around.

The thing was though, it was actually OK, the kids hung off the back of trollies, they would sit in the trollies, I use to give them 3 things to go get, they all legged it off and came back with the stuff, OK so there wasn't as much variety in the dark ages but damn it was good for their memories and reading skills.

I could never be sure if one would go into a sulk and start moaning, but that's kids for you, the best mannered can show you up at any time.

I am thankful they are grown now and I don't need to bring them with me because I hate supermarkets now and I despise the smart arse comments from the checkout operators about how much I'm buying, supermarkets were never like that, so I still shop online, although I get it from the delivery drivers but I can stick my two fingers up at them while they're out getting the million crates from my family of 7.

I say if you want to bring every member of your family shopping go for it. Who actually cares really.

Agreed. Such a pain in the arse! Now that you mention it, I have seen the same thing lately. Like a big, multigenerational, family day out, meandering slowly down the aisles 😂🤷🏼‍♀️

Well for us it’s something to do better than our son being cooped up at home. Plus, he understands where food can come from and what different foods are available as well as the etiquette used in shops and that you must pay etc. If the food just magically appeared at home he wouldn’t get this experience?

I’ve never understood this either. Supermarket shopping is SO boring! I’ve never seen it as a leisure activity. DH feels the same, so it would be massively inefficient for us to double up and both go. It’s not a two-man job, and at least the other one gets to do something more edifying. We can cope not seeing each other for an hour or two. Then when it’s finished, we go and do something more interesting. I never do a big shop at their weekend either - there are better things to do!

It was the obviously snotty nosed kid coughing and sticking it's arm under the protective screen, helping during covid that focused my mind

I only notice this in IKEA and it drives me insane! It's not a theme park, folks!

I went to Sainsbury's quite early this morning and was struck by how many dads were shopping with babies and toddlers. Made me smile at the thought of all those mums at home having a nice lie-in!

Can't say it bothers me. I do think it helps teach kids a some valuable life skills though

We go together.

Not all the time but it's not unusual.

Often shopping is on the way back from driving somewhere.

Often we want both adults as only one driver- should it only be the driver who chooses what to buy?

Both adults = DCs too as if we had a sitter we wouldnt waste it going shopping!

Maybe families like each other and enjoy spending time clothes/ food shopping.

It's a bit sad when you have to take your children shopping to keep them entertained!

I saw this earlier. Both kids were fighting in the aisle getting in mine and everyone’s way. My dds were home with their dad. I asked them if they wanted anything beforehand. I zipped round in half an hour. Job done.
Yes, it’s very boring. Also, if I take them with me including dh my bill is larger because ‘ooo, this looks good!’ NB: dh is the worst for this, so he is banned anyway.

Weirdos 😉

My local supermarket is full of drama- always bottles of booze smashed in the aisle or a pile of fried chicken bones on a shelf. Many lively arguments between strangers, some fuelled by crack, others about queue positions. Some both.

Funnily enough, the staff don’t seem to give a shit if families walk through the door together or not.

Drives me fecking bonkers when they hog the aisles and aimlessly drift around disorganised without a clue what they're doing.
Some people are just gormless.

How are children expected to pick up these life skills if they should always be left behind?

How can you teach them about value for money?

How can you teach them about social etiquette in a public place - respecting the employees, being aware of other people and their movements, adjusting to a given situation, etc?

These life skills don't happen by magic.

Personally I prefer to shop with just me, as no rushing around or anyone waiting for me etc

Agree...I'd take my dc but can't see any reason for taking dh.