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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be annoyed at the 'starbucks' mummies?

147 replies

ariane5 · 18/01/2011 23:06

I don't mean the people who pop in once in a while for a coffee.

I am talking about the same mums i see EVERY day after ive taken dd to school on my way to ds nursery, they are there first thing, i drop him off walk back past to go to the shops and they are still there. Then when i walk past again to go home-STILL THERE! every weekday, they sit in the window seats, their toddlers run about whilst people dodge them with hot drinks and once one of them even changed her baby's nappy on the chair.

Maybe this is just jealousy as iam quite partial to a coffee and muffin!I couldnt afford it once a month let alone every day, but really they must spend a fortune and they seem to have completely taken over in there every day.Still, it really annoys me do they really have nothing better to do every single day???

OP posts:
TyraG · 19/01/2011 06:53

When I lived in the states there was a Starbucks about half a block from my complex, I would go in often and knew the girls there (we became friends) but if I took the kids, DH was with me and we sat outside and had a snack and a coffee (kids got to split one of the strawberry drinks). It was nice and relaxing.

That being said, I don't understand people who can sit for hours in a coffee shop. I'd rather get my drink, go home and read or catch up on my shows before getting to the cleaning. And I don't let the kids run wild anywhere other that where it's appropriate (park, soft play) and even then they need to be careful they don't knock into anyone and watch out for smaller children.

Bonsoir · 19/01/2011 07:01

YANBU - I think it's dreadful to bring your baby/toddler up in Starbucks. Little children need space to roam and ought to be out in the fresh air climbing on a climbing frame or kicking a ball, or else at home where they can jump on the sofa cushions and get their toys out.

tryingtoleave · 19/01/2011 07:04

Oh, it was morning here, animula. I'm not that virtuous (as I probably already established....) But agree that there is not much better than sitting around with a coffee, chatting. Not nearly so much fun with toddlers rampaging around your feet, but still better than trying to do anything like housework with them.

tryingtoleave · 19/01/2011 07:08

They may well spend the rest of the day doing that, Bonsoir. Actually the best thing, with children, is a coffee stand or cafe in a park. Makes everyone happy.

tryingtoleave · 19/01/2011 07:13

I was, however, amazed by the awfulness of Starbucks coffee during my time in London, so I wouldn't want to spend all my time there.

onceamai · 19/01/2011 07:15

When DS was a baby and I became a SAHM I could just about justify a mini milk on the way home from the park. Still rationalise if I'm out shopping that it's cheaper to wait until I'm home for a coffee though. It doesn't bother me what others do though - providing it's legal and not unkind.

Original poster
ariane5 · 19/01/2011 07:17

tryingtoleave- if i could do something more interesting than shopping i would believe me but i dont drive so have to do a bit every day, as a big weeks shop is too much to carry!

OP posts:
Librashavinganotherbiscuit · 19/01/2011 07:20

Do you think their husbands know? I think they should be told their wives are sitting on their butts drinking coffee instead of being at home doing housework and cooking dinner.

thisismyboomstick · 19/01/2011 07:25

Little kiddies like nothing more than to run around with other little kiddies while their mummies sit around gossiping. If you said that the kids were made to sit there quietly then I would see your point: yabu

Original poster
ariane5 · 19/01/2011 07:29

It just worries me as its always packed in there, people walk around with their drinks or have them balanced precariously on the edge of a table it seems like its only a matter of time before some poor little toddler gets scalded, but like a few have said it is their choice, i just wouldnt do it personally it doesnt seem to be the right place for children to be running about

OP posts:
tryingtoleave · 19/01/2011 08:07

Really, Libra? Everyone should slave all day and never do anything pleasant? It's not like looking after toddlers is the easiest thing to do and even employed people get coffee breaks.

Chandon · 19/01/2011 08:16

YABU

and jealous.

bonsoir, I do not think children need to be entertained 24-7.God, being in softplay or having your house trashed ALL DAY can be a bit much.

The little ones can learn that life does not revolve 100% around them.

Good on the Starbucks mummies to carve out some time for themselves, meeting up with other adults, instead of feeling they should spend ALL DAY EVERY DAY on educational play and housework, developing PND in the process...

GO STARBUCKS MUMMIES! GO!

RunawayFishWife · 19/01/2011 08:20

I love going for a coffee with friends, I do not however do it every day, I do not have a buggy to clutter the place up with nor any badly behaved toddlers to run about getting in peoples way (can you tell what I don't like)...

But as I work part time, have two children to look after, 2 homes to run, a wheelchair dependent mother that I take shopping once a week, PA stuff and endless other things to do sitting for an hour with a friend or two having a coffee and a chat is me time and I like it.

Bonsoir · 19/01/2011 08:21

I hardly think I was suggesting that the alternative to Starbucks was "entertaining" the children - quite the opposite. I was suggesting they be given more space and freedom to get on with things on their own.

I suppose that the DCs of mothers who enjoy Starbucks will probably grow up to be as brain-dead as their mothers, so no real harm is being done Sad

Librashavinganotherbiscuit · 19/01/2011 08:22

"Really, Libra? Everyone should slave all day and never do anything pleasant? It's not like looking after toddlers is the easiest thing to do and even employed people get coffee breaks."

I think if the wives can't be bothered to get a proper job then yes they should take the job of child-rearing seriously and not spend the day drinking coffee and gossiping.

DizzyKipper · 19/01/2011 08:23

YABU - it's none of your business. If that's the way they want to live their lives then that's up to them.

NinkyNonker · 19/01/2011 08:40

Libra Grin

They could at least go to Costa eh.

Anniegetyourgun · 19/01/2011 09:13

"Remember, a hazelnut skinny latte and blueberry muffin aren't just for Christmas."

That's very true. At Christmas they have gingerbread latte and cranberry muffins!

choccyp1g · 19/01/2011 10:47

I go for a very long coffee (or two) once a week or so with a friend. We don't even have toddlers, so it probably looks as though we are very rich and spoilt. However, the reason we don't meet in each other's houses is because we are both so embarrassed by the awfulness of our respective abodes. I suppose we could be defined as poor and incapable, or depressed or feckless.

Hullygully · 19/01/2011 10:50

"It just worries me as its always packed in there, people walk around with their drinks or have them balanced precariously on the edge of a table it seems like its only a matter of time before some poor little toddler gets scalded, but like a few have said it is their choice, i just wouldnt do it personally it doesnt seem to be the right place for children to be running about"

You are so kind, thoughtful and concerned! Why not pop in and alert them to your worries, I'm sure they'd be grateful, they probably haven't thoguht about the health and safety and child development issues.

meantosay · 19/01/2011 10:51

I wouldn't are how long they stayed in there as long as they didn't 'take over' the place ie act as if they own it, stare at any new faces who come in, look indignant if someone else is sitting at 'their' table or let their kids treat it like a playroom. Now that would irritate me.

meantosay · 19/01/2011 10:51

Wouldnt care. Sorry

Quenelle · 19/01/2011 11:05

I was jealous of them when I was on maternity leave because I wasn't part of a new mummy-crowd. I used to go in there on my own with DS though because it had the best baby-changing facilities.

I don't go in at all now. It's the dirtiest coffee shop in the town and DS gets bored shitless.

Don't know if I'm saying YANBU or YABU really. I suppose it's up to them.

bupcakesandcunting · 19/01/2011 11:14

They're wankers. Coffee guzzling fucking shitheaps.

Toughasoldboots · 19/01/2011 11:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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