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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think that bag packing is exploitive

39 replies

Janeta · 17/12/2010 21:57

My daughters Cheerleading club want her to do 5 hours bag packing at a local supermarket on Saturday and 4 hours on Sunday to help raise money for mats etc for the club. She is 11 years old. Is this too many hours as she will be shattered bearing in mind the busy Xmas period

OP posts:

WomanOfAbjectMystery · 18/12/2010 10:06

It will be good for her.

Child labour laws are far too stringent IMO.

ChippyMinTurnAgainWhittington · 18/12/2010 10:18

It's too long IMO.
Our scouts do it and it raises money to keep the minibus on the road for the year. Everyone from the youngest Beavers to the leaders and parents do a one-hour slot each.

mitfordsisters · 18/12/2010 10:29

The earlier children get some sort of work experience, the better. You will be complaining if she is sitting around on the sofa aged 20 without a job and you are supporting her because you have 'protected' her from work experience. YABU.

toddlerama · 18/12/2010 10:52

I have never ever encountered a charity bag packer! Does this happen everywhere except my town?!?!?

Original poster

Janeta · 18/12/2010 10:55

Parents are not staying to help. From what I have told there is only one adult with 12 kids all under 13. Which is obviously a concern - especially if the need the toilet. To me it all sounds very hectic and disorganised, not to mention disruptive to my day. I guess I am looking for excuses not to let her do it and she doesn't want to anyway. She has done it before with them before and was not happy that she did not get a break. Trust me she is not a lazy child but neither of us are keen about doing this but her coach will make us feel bad about letting the team down. Thanks for all your comments though!!

OP posts:

raedrenn · 18/12/2010 11:01

Well there's your answer - she doesn't want to do it and you don't want her to. It does sound very hectic and disorganised (and far too long. Both days?!!)

Feenie · 18/12/2010 11:03

I did this a few years ago in Marks and Spencers for a charity my Mum supports, the Urostomy Association (my Mum has one).

I cannot tell you how many people asked what a urostomy was, then wrinkled up their nose and said they would do their own packing, thanks! It was hard not to shake/slap people on those occasions. Some poeple, however, just smiled and said they preferred to pack their own and some gave money anyway.

I am fussy about the way my bags are packed, so I pack my own but still donate anyway. I don't think it's too much for your dd though, except that two days is possibly above and beyond - it's so boring! But I think you should let her do one, perhaps.

theevildead2 · 18/12/2010 11:07

Sorry I don't think it is at all, certianly won't kill her and will show her what a days work feels like. Also most of those sit aroud giggling to eachother as no one actually wants them to pack their bags. Won't be too hard a day I don't think. I come from a hot climate and at a 11 I spent my days mowing lawns in 90 degree heat.. Didn't do me any harm [old codger who walked up hill to school both ways emoticon]

Spidermama · 18/12/2010 11:09

That's WAY too much. My God! I would say 2 hours is the absolute maximum.

mangoandlime · 18/12/2010 11:24

Our football team do this every year for two hours, it reduces the subs by a substantial amount. Shame it's always the same people there and the same people not there, every blardy year! They're happy with the subs reduction though!

Five hours is too long though.

mitfordsisters · 18/12/2010 13:05

I just read your post that there is only one adult with 12 under 13s - and agree that shifts are too long!

Maisiethemorningsidecat · 18/12/2010 14:15

I'd be concerned at the length of time each child will be there, and the fact that the adult/child ratio is so low. Did they say why parents are not to stay and help?

Opinionatedfreak · 18/12/2010 14:24

I think the shifts are too long. 1-2hrs max.

Also sounds like they need more adults 'on the floor' so to speak.

However I'd be cross if I was the volunteer leader and not all the kids who would benefit from the money raised helped out. Especially not 'if it was too much work'.

I've been involved in doing it from both sides (till supervisor) and voluntary sector and it can be helpful to the store staff and it definitely raises a lot of money. Our local supermarket has a massive waiting list for 'packing' slots.

I used to have the inenviable task of teaching employed bag packers how to pack bags. I was always amazed at how few had been taught by their parents.... in the days of online grocery delivery I expect it is even worse.

If I encounter a bagpacker when I'm a customer I usually pay them not to pack!

LeakMyWiki · 18/12/2010 17:04

I went to the supermarket today and guess what? Cheerleaders, that's what.

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